Discover also: Hong Kong Islands, Xiamen and Gulangyu, Macao.
⚠️ Timetables, prices and access conditions may change without notice, for reasons beyond our control (season, weather, decisions by operators, venues or local authorities). Before every trip, check the information with the relevant authorities and service providers. Entry requirements and local rules (reserves, quotas) are subject to the same caveat.
In southern China, facing Vietnam, Hainan is the country’s tropical island: a large island of around 10 million people, roughly at the latitude of Hawaii — and Chinese travellers readily call it their “Hawaii”. Long white-sand beaches around Sanya, seafront resorts, surfing at Riyue Bay, mountains covered in rainforest inland, and the culture of the Li and Miao peoples, whose textiles are on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list.
A tropical island with two faces
The south, around Sanya, gathers the beach bays: Yalong Bay, Haitang Bay, Dadonghai and Sanya Bay, lined with big hotels. In the north, Haikou, the capital, keeps its old town of arcaded houses (qilou), its extinct volcanoes and a more local pace. In between, the east coast (Wanning, Lingshui, Boao) lines up wild bays, fishing villages and surf spots, while the interior around Wuzhishan is Li and Miao country.
Since late 2025 the whole island has been a special customs zone: duty-free shopping, especially at Haitang Bay, draws Chinese visitors as much as the beaches.
Beaches, surfing, Guanyin and rainforest
In Sanya, enjoy the beaches of Yalong Bay and Haitang Bay, go diving or snorkelling around Wuzhizhou Island, and visit the Nanshan cultural zone with its huge Guanyin statue facing the sea. On the east coast, Riyue Bay is China’s best-known surf spot, with an Olympic-standard wave pool opened in 2025.
Inland, the tropical rainforest national park (home of the extremely rare Hainan gibbon), the Yanoda rainforest and the Binglanggu cultural park introduce nature and Li and Miao traditions. In Haikou, stroll the arcaded street, visit the Hainan Museum and climb the craters of the Leiqiong UNESCO Global Geopark.
One connection, then the train around the island
There are no direct flights from France: you reach Sanya or Haikou after a connection in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Beijing or Shanghai. On the island, the high-speed train loops around the coast: Haikou–Sanya in 1 h 20 to 1 h 30 via the east, booked with your passport. Taxis and private drivers fill the gaps; renting a car requires a temporary Chinese licence. To pay, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you leave (they accept Visa and Mastercard).
November to April, the ideal season
Winter is high season: dry weather, 25–30 °C in Sanya and a warm sea while northern China shivers. From May to October the heat is humid, showers are frequent and typhoons possible, especially from July to October. Prices and crowds soar during Chinese New Year and the first week of October.
Hainan at a glance
| Location | South China Sea, south of mainland China, facing Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Main cities | Haikou (capital), Sanya |
| Population | ≈ 10 million |
| Languages | Mandarin; Hainanese, Li and Miao languages |
| Time | UTC+8 (+7 h in winter, +6 h in summer vs France) |
| Currency | Yuan (CNY); mostly paid by Alipay or WeChat Pay |
| Access | Flights via Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Beijing or Shanghai |
| Entry (French citizens) | 30 days visa-free until 31/12/2026 (check for 2027) |
| Electricity | 220 V, type A, C and I plugs |
Your questions answered
Do I need a visa?
Citizens of France and many other European countries can currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, until 31 December 2026 (no extension announced yet for 2027). Hainan also has its own 30-day visa-free scheme for 59 countries, provided you arrive directly on the island, for example on a flight from Hong Kong. Check the latest rules for your nationality before booking.
How do I get to Hainan from Europe?
There are no direct flights from France: connect in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Beijing or Shanghai, then take a one- to three-hour domestic flight to Sanya or Haikou. Going via Hong Kong lets you combine the trip with the Hong Kong Islands.
What is the best season?
November to April: dry weather, warm sea and 25–30 °C in Sanya. From May to October it is hotter and humid, with rain and a typhoon risk, especially from July to October. Avoid Chinese New Year and the first week of October, which are very busy.
Can I rent a car?
Yes, but international driving permits are not recognised in China: you need a temporary Chinese licence, applied for online and collected from the traffic police, with an official translation of your licence. The simplest options are the high-speed train around the island, taxis and private drivers.
Header photo: Wuzhizhou Island, Sanya — Lovelanlan, CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
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