Chengmai

Chengmai is humid, hot, and rainy in summer, so bring rain gear for outdoor plans.

Chengmai is known as a “World Longevity Town,” and travel here tends to be relaxed. You can taste Fushan coffee, explore ancient volcanic-rock villages, visit wetland mangroves, and enjoy coastal scenery, making it well suited to a short trip focused on nature and local culture.

Must-visit attractions in Chengmai

Chengmai’s sights combine ecological scenery with historic remains. They are not too spread out overall, so you can group them by area:

• Mangrove Bay Wetland Park: Large mangrove forests create a water-forest landscape. Flamingos can be seen in the park, making it good for eco-tours and family outings.

• Yongqing Temple: One of the larger Buddhist temples in northern Hainan. It faces the sea on three sides, has a lively incense-offering atmosphere, and the surrounding area is a good place to watch the sunset over the sea in the evening.

• Fushan Coffee Culture and Style Town: A national 4A-rated scenic area with many cafés. You can visit the giant coffee-cup landmark and try hand-brewed coffee.

• Luoyi Ancient Village: An ancient volcanic-rock village with a history of a thousand years. It preserves more than 100 volcanic-stone houses and an old post road, with a simple and natural village atmosphere.

• Meilang Sister Towers: Among the best-preserved Song dynasty stone pagodas in Hainan, and a major cultural heritage site protected at the national level. The twin volcanic-stone towers have significant historical value.

• Leigong Island: A black volcanic-lava beach that has not yet been developed on a large scale. The scenery resembles a black-sand beach, making it suitable for aerial photography and for exploring the shore at low tide.

Classic 3-day, 2-night itinerary

If you plan to stay in Chengmai for a few days, you can use the following fairly relaxed route as a reference:

• Day 1: Coffee and wetland leisure
  • Morning: After arriving in Chengmai, head to Fushan Coffee Culture and Style Town. Choose a café to taste Fushan coffee and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the town.
  • Afternoon: Go to Mangrove Bay Wetland Park. Walk along the wooden boardwalk, view the mangroves and flamingos, and experience the wetland ecology.
  • Evening: Return to Laocheng and visit the Dongpo Pedestrian Street night market to try local flavors such as Bailian goose and Ruixi beef jerky.

• Day 2: Ancient village culture and seaside Zen
  • Morning: Visit the Meilang Sister Towers to learn about Song dynasty stone-carving craftsmanship. Then go to Luoyi Ancient Village and walk along the volcanic-stone paths.
  • Afternoon: Visit Yongqing Temple to pray for blessings. The area outside the temple is close to Yingbin Peninsula, so you can also enjoy sea views along the way.
  • Evening: Try Chengmai zaopocu hot pot in Laocheng, or choose a seafood meal.

• Day 3: Volcanic ecology and coastal exploration
  • Morning: Head to Daxie Waterfall to view a plain volcanic-rock waterfall landscape. The surrounding rice fields give the area an open view.

• Afternoon: Go to Leigong Island to see the black volcanic-lava coast. If the tide is out, you can also try shore foraging.
  • Evening: End the trip and return.

Must-try local foods in Chengmai

When traveling in Chengmai, besides coffee, you can also focus on trying the following local foods:

Practical travel tips

• Transport advice: Some attractions in Chengmai are far apart, especially the ancient villages and waterfalls, so self-driving makes it easier to arrange your itinerary.
• Best time to visit: The weather is more comfortable from October to April of the following year, making it suitable for escaping the cold and enjoying outdoor sightseeing.
• Things to note: Before visiting Leigong Island and Daxie Waterfall, check the weather and tide information in advance, and pay attention to mosquito protection and travel safety.