Qiongzhong

Qiongzhong is located in the mountainous interior of Hainan, with many rainforests. Bring rain gear and a light jacket.

Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County lies in the center of Hainan Island and is often called the “heart of Hainan.” Away from the bustle of the coastal tourist areas, it has tropical rainforests with high forest coverage, waterfall scenery, and well-preserved Li and Miao villages. It is a good place to escape the heat, go hiking, and get close to nature.

• Baihua Ridge Tropical Rainforest Cultural Tourism Area: Baihua Waterfall in the scenic area has a drop of more than 300 meters, making it one of the larger waterfalls in Hainan by height. The area also has treetop boardwalks, rainforest zipline-style activities, and other experiences, making it suitable for light hiking and rainforest sightseeing.
• Shihan Village: Known as “Shihan in the Sky,” it is also one of the higher-altitude administrative villages in Hainan. Li and Miao residents live together here, and visitors can still see boat-shaped houses and displays of intangible cultural heritage. Seas of clouds are more likely to appear in the early morning and at dusk.
• Limushan National Forest Park: This is regarded as the ancestral mountain of the Li people, with its main peak at 1,411.7 meters above sea level. The park contains primeval tropical rainforest and the Limu Stone, and it is also the source of Hainan’s three major rivers. It suits visitors who enjoy in-depth hiking and nature exploration.
• Feishui Ridge: This area combines tropical rainforest, waterfall scenery, and a distinctive coffee industry. It is a good stop on a self-drive route, where you can enjoy the mountain ecosystem and the aroma of coffee.
• Baisha Uprising Memorial Park: Located in Hongmao Town, this is an important local site for revolutionary education. Visitors can learn about the history of the Li and Miao people resisting oppression and experience Qiongzhong’s rich ethnic and revolutionary culture.

Recommended Local Food in Qiongzhong

Qiongzhong’s food has a clear mountain character and strong Li and Miao influences. Common ingredients often come from local hills, forests, and villages.

• Wanling Rice Cooker Chicken: This is one of Qiongzhong’s representative dishes. Local free-range “walking chickens” are cooked in a traditional rice cooker, giving the skin a fragrant crispness while keeping the meat tender.
• Qiongzhong Pork Rib Bun: A common local snack found in streets and alleys. The bun is filled with large pieces of pork rib meat and char siu, making it hearty and filling. It is often eaten as a local breakfast.
• Li-Miao Winnowing Basket Feast: This can be experienced in Li and Miao villages such as Shihan Village. Wild vegetables, local chicken, black pork, Shanlan rice wine, and other local ingredients are arranged in a large winnowing basket, creating a strong rustic flavor.
• Crispy Young Yellow Cattle Beef: Young yellow cattle raised free-range in places such as Shang’an Township have firm-textured meat. A common local deep-fried preparation gives the outside a crisp, fragrant layer while keeping the inside tender, with a richer beef aroma the more you chew.
• Qiongzhong Green Orange: A local specialty fruit of Qiongzhong. Its peel is green, while the flesh is orange-red, juicy, and balanced between sweet and tart. November to January is a good time to try it.

Classic Three-Day Itinerary

Qiongzhong’s attractions are fairly spread out, so self-driving is recommended. It also allows you to enjoy the mountain scenery along Hainan’s central route at a more relaxed pace.

• Day 1: Arrive in Qiongzhong and visit the rainforest waterfall
  • Morning: Depart from Haikou or Sanya and drive to Qiongzhong. The trip takes about 2–2.5 hours.
  • Afternoon: Visit Baihua Ridge. You can first take the sightseeing vehicle to Baihua Tianchi, then transfer to the mountaintop to see the ancient sacred tree. After that, follow the boardwalk toward Baihua Waterfall and enjoy the rainforest waterfall scenery.
  • Evening: Stay in Yinggen Town, the county seat, or at the Four Points by Sheraton Qiongzhong. In the evening, you can visit the nearby Shanlan Rice Culture Market night market and try pork rib buns and local noodle soup.
• Day 2: Visit an ancient village above the clouds and experience Li and Miao culture
  • Morning: Drive to Shihan Village. The mountain roads along the way have many bends, so drive carefully. After arriving, walk along the stone-paved paths, visit boat-shaped houses, and try experiences related to Li brocade and Miao crossbow skills.
  • Noon: Try a Li-Miao winnowing basket feast and Shanlan rice wine in the village.
  • Afternoon: Wait for a sea of clouds at the village entrance or from a higher viewpoint, and take photos of the mountain scenery. Then head to Xinwei Farm to experience tea picking and tea frying, and enjoy the aroma of rainforest tea.
  • Evening: Continue staying in a cloud-view guesthouse in Shihan Village and enjoy a quiet night in the mountains.
• Day 3: Visit the sacred mountain or try canyon rafting before returning
  • Morning: Go to Limushan National Forest Park for a hike through the primeval rainforest. Visit Limu Temple and the stone mortar formations, learn about ancestral mountain culture, and enjoy the natural landforms.
  • Afternoon: If you have enough energy and like exciting activities, you can try Qiongzhong canyon rafting. Alternatively, go to Feishui Ridge for a cup of coffee, then drive back.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Accommodation recommendations:
  • For better quality and service: Consider the Four Points by Sheraton Qiongzhong in the county seat. The rooms are relatively spacious, the green areas are large, and the management is comparatively standardized.
  • For a mountain and countryside atmosphere: Consider cloud-view guesthouses or Shanyou Guesthouse in Shihan Village. You can see seas of clouds and terraced fields from the windows, but you need to book one week in advance.
• Transport guide:
  • Self-driving: Qiongzhong is on Hainan’s central route and works well as a stop on a self-drive trip around the island. However, some attractions such as Shihan Village and Limushan have rugged mountain roads with steep slopes and many bends, so drive with extra care.
  • Public transport: Public transport within Qiongzhong County is not very convenient, and taxis can also be hard to find. To reach attractions such as Baihua Ridge, you can try taking a local “slow bus” minibus from the bus station, or choose to hire a car.

Practical Travel Tips

• Best season: October to April is the dry season, with more comfortable weather, making it suitable for escaping the heat and sightseeing. Although summer, such as August, is relatively cool, there is more rain, so it is best to carry rain gear.
• What to wear: Temperatures in the mountains and rainforest are 7–8 degrees lower than on the coast, and there are also more mosquitoes and insects. Bring a long-sleeved jacket, comfortable non-slip sports shoes, and mosquito repellent.
• Trip preparation: For rainforest hikes, bring a small amount of drinking water and snacks, as some undeveloped sections may not have convenience stalls. Reaching the waterfall area requires climbing steps, so older travelers and young children should plan according to their stamina.