New coastal scenic highway in S China's Hainan ushers in diverse tourism experiences, unique opportunities

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(People's Daily Online) 15:13, February 05, 2024

Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway, a highway loop connecting 216 famous historic and cultural sites, 31 scenic areas, and 20 resorts across 12 coastal cities and counties in south China's island province of Hainan, has unlocked new tourism experiences and immense economic opportunities.

Opened on Dec. 18, 2023, the highway has already attracted many tourists looking for splendid coastal sceneries and new tourism experiences, and a multitude of travel strategies for road trips along the highway has been widely spread on the internet.

This aerial photo taken on Dec. 26, 2023 shows the scenery of Mulan Bay along the Hainan coastal highway for sightseeing in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Featured, fully-equipped tourist complexes, cycling, and recreational vehicle (RV) camping along the route have gained increasing popularity among tourists.

"You've got to visit these stations if you will take a road trip along the Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway. You not only enjoy beautiful sceneries but also experience special local cultures and activities here," Xing Xiafei, a tourist from east China's Zhejiang province, wrote on a social media platform, sharing her travel experience with internet users.

The stations Xing referred to are integrated tourist complexes along the highway. They provide comprehensive facilities and services satisfying the tourists' needs for accommodations, recreation, and sightseeing.

At Yinggetalang, one of the complexes located in Huangliu township, Ledong Li autonomous county, Hainan province, visitors can experience the traditional salt-making techniques of Yinggehai township, Ledong Li autonomous county, and enjoy the splendid view of salt pans.

"This station integrates local natural landscapes and cultural characteristics. It’s a tourist attraction in itself," said a tourist surnamed Yu.

"Yinggetalang features the cultures of salt-making techniques, the Li ethnic group, and the local fishery industry. It helps tourists enjoy breathtaking natural sceneries and characteristic folk customs of the Li people, while allowing them to get an in-depth understanding of the charm of Yinggehai's salt-making techniques, an item on the list of intangible cultural heritage," said Gao Miao, planning manager of Yinggetalang.

Gao has seen a significant increase in the tourist flow of the complex since the opening of the scenic highway.

Two other tourist complexes that opened around the same time as Yinggetalang are also seeing steady streams of visitors.

Dan'erzhuiguang, a tourist complex in Danzhou city, Hainan province, offers accommodation services and allows visitors to enjoy interesting experiences such as collecting duck eggs, digging sandworms, feeding Babylonia lutosa, a species of sea snails, and making fishing nets.

The other complex, which features volcano-related elements, connects multiple sightseeing platforms and scenic spots, including a volcanic geopark.

Besides sightseeing, bicycle tours and RV camping, among other activities, are also becoming popular ways to enjoy the route.

In the Danzhou section of the highway, more than 60 motorcyclists were seen riding along the road at the same time. In the section of the highway along Haiwei township, Changjiang Li autonomous county, Hainan province, tourists often camp out in small groups on the shore under canopies.

The scenic highway represents an innovative move of Hainan's tourism sector, opening a door to high-quality development for the sector, said Chen Yao, president of the Hainan Tourism Development Research Institute.

The new highway has also brought about new business opportunities and employment opportunities for the locals.

Data shows that the island has seen a surge in road trips, which has resulted in a month-on-month growth of over 50 percent in car rental orders in Sanya and Haikou, two cities in Hainan that are ranked among the top three in Chinese cities popular among road trip enthusiasts during this year's New Year holiday.

This aerial photo taken on June 25, 2023 shows the scenery along the Hainan coastal highway for sightseeing in Chengmai, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

More business forms are emerging in the locality, such as surf riding experience services, photography services for soon-to-be newlyweds, and bubble tea shops.

As a result, locals along the route have enjoyed more chances for employment and entrepreneurship.

Dan'erzhuiguang has provided more than 30 jobs to nearby villagers, according to Ge Yongqi, general manager of Hainan Tourism Investment and Development Co., Ltd., which is the developer of the complex.