Hainan is the name given to both the smallest province of the Republic of China and the largest island within that province. Invariably when somebody makes reference to Hainan, it is the major island that they are talking about unless they specify otherwise. The island is a popular holiday destination that benefits from warm tropical weather and a correspondingly tropical eco-system. It’s these characteristics that have earned Hainan the nickname ‘Hawaii of the Orient’.

An interesting history that saw the island as something of a centre for political figures banished from the Chinese mainland provides some of Hainan’s places of interest; indeed for visitors with an interest in the island’s colourful past, there are plenty of noteworthy sights. Zoos, ancient cities and a variety of fascinating cultural and historical monuments, landmarks and structures also contribute to the list of attractions.

Beach lovers meanwhile will revel in the beauty of the coastal areas of the city of Sanya. A subtle holiday atmosphere prevails in this scenic seaside town, however rampant tourism is still a long way from spoiling it and visitors can still enjoy the uniquely Hainanese culture that is present in all aspects of local life.

The capital city is Haikou, a lively destination and the focus of the island’s commercial activity. Many visitors choose to stay in the capital on account of its excellent selection of accommodations, modern facilities and services. The city also has its fair share of attractions which include the Five Ministers Memorial Tower and Hai Rui's Tomb.

Hainan is well-suited to receive tourists particularly in the popular visitor areas such as Haikou, Sanya and the region within Sanya known as Yalong Bay. In these towns, you’ll find no shortage of accommodation options. These areas also offer the best in terms of eating out and nightlife options.

An efficient airport in Haikou provides the chief gateway to the island. Many international visitors will be obliged to take a flight to mainland China then a connecting flight; while those travelling from many Asian destinations can usually fly direct. Once on the island, visitors will find the local bus service is one of the cheapest means of getting around although perhaps not the most comfortable. Taxis and car hire are both available at obviously higher prices.

The first written references to Hainan in Chinese history tell of the Han Dynasty establishing a military garrison there in 110 BC. From then however, development was slow with only small numbers of mainlanders arriving to help swell the settlement, indeed the island gained something of a reputation for being suitable for exiles only.

Shortly however, the Li people from the Guangxi Province arrived, displacing the aboriginal natives who inhabited much of the land. When the Song Dynasty came to power, Hainan fell under the ruling of the Guangxi Province and this led to the arrival of significant numbers of Han Chinese who settled mostly in the north of the island.

In the subsequent Yuan Dynasty, Hainan became an independent province but later during the Ming Dynasty it came under the control of the Guangdong Province. The 16^th and 17^th centuries saw large numbers of Han immigrants from Guangdong and Fujian arrive in Hainan, causing the Li to abandon their territories in favour of the highland areas. During the 18^th century however, the Li took action against their disenfranchisement and mounted a rebellion which the government swiftly put down using Miao mercenaries from the Guizhou Province.

Following the conflict, many of the Miao remained on the island and to this day, their descendents still occupy the western highland areas. Independence returned in 1912 and the island became known as Ch'iung-yai Island but this period was short lived and by 1921, it was back under the control of the Guangdong Province.

In the 1920s and 30s, many Communists took refuge on the island following a crackdown in Shanghai in 1927. During WWII, the Communists proved useful allies to the Li in their fight against Japanese occupation but the superior might of the Japanese forces resulted in more than a third of the male population of the island losing their lives.

Following the Japanese surrender in 1945, control was re-established by the Nationalist Party but then in 1950 the island was captured by Chinese communists during the Landing Operation. The Communists attempted to develop the island but were met with hindrances such as the island’s isolation; it’s erratic and hazardous climate and its reputation as a place for Chinese exiles. 

Progress, although slow, did occur and in 1984 the Hainan Administrative Area was founded. Later in 1988, the island was given province status and Haikou was proclaimed its capital city. It was also declared a Special Economic Zone to help assist its commercial development.

Hainan’s climate is predominantly of the monsoon tropical variety and hence experiences annual average temperatures between 22 and 26°C and annual precipitation from 1,500mm to 2,000mm. The island experiences a rainy season from May through until October, during which time the majority of its annual rainfall occurs. Temperatures during the rainy season are higher than the rest of the year with the hottest months being June and July with average daily highs of 28°C.

The winter season follows the rainy season and lasts from November through till the end of April and is the time when most visitors make trips to the island. Temperatures drop several degrees during this season with the months of December to February experiencing the coolest days. March and April begin to pick up again with daily highs of 23 and 25°C respectively. Hainan experiences over 300 days of sunshine per year and has an average of 12 hours daylight per 24 hour period.