Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway

The Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway (海南环岛旅游公路) is a world-class coastal driving route encircling Hainan Island (海南岛). Stretching nearly 1,000 km, it connects Haikou (海口), Wenchang (文昌), Qionghai (琼海), Wanning (万宁), Lingshui (陵水), Sanya (三亚), Ledong (乐东), Dongfang (东方), Changjiang (昌江), Danzhou (儋州), Lingao (临高), and Chengmai (澄迈), as well as the Yangpu Economic Development Zone (洋浦经济开发区).

Dubbed the “National Coastal No.1 Scenic Road”, the highway serves primarily as a tourism route, offering stunning views of cliffs, beaches, wetlands, and diverse landscapes, while also functioning as a modern transport artery.

Project Overview

• Total Length: 988 km (Main Line: 454 km of new construction, 535 km upgraded segments)
• Investment: ¥16.35 billion RMB
• Project Owner: Hainan Transportation Investment Holding Co., Ltd. (海南省交通投资控股有限公司)
• Construction Start: December 31, 2020
• Full Operation: December 18, 2023
• Regulation: Interim Measures for the Management of Hainan Tourism Highways (海南省旅游公路管理暂行办法)
• Supervisory Authority: Hainan Department of Transportation (海南省交通运输厅)

The highway integrates scenic bays, coastal capes, cultural towns, and resort areas, forming a “pearl necklace” of attractions around Hainan Island, making it a must-drive route for visitors seeking both leisure and adventure.

Scenic Highlights Along the Route

Eastern Section Highlights

• Wenchang City (文昌市): Mulan Bay (木兰湾), known for its tranquil beaches and coastal forests
• Qionghai City (琼海市): Bo’ao (博鳌) and surrounding golden beaches
• Wanning City (万宁市): Qizi Bay (棋子湾), a hotspot for cycling, running, and water sports
• Lingshui County (陵水黎族自治县): Tufu Bay (土福湾) to Haitang Bay (海棠湾) scenic corridor
• Sanya City (三亚市): World-famous Yalong Bay (亚龙湾), Tianya Haijiao (天涯海角), and luxury beach resorts

Western Section Highlights

• Ledong County (乐东黎族自治县): Lingshui cliffs and hidden beaches
• Dongfang City (东方市): Cultural heritage villages and traditional fishing communities
• Changjiang County (昌江黎族自治县): Coastal wetlands and eco-tourism sites
• Danzhou City (儋州市): Untouched sandy shores, volcanic coastal scenery
• Lingao County (临高县) & Chengmai County (澄迈县): Picturesque coastal villages and sunset views
• Yangpu Economic Development Zone (洋浦经济开发区): Modern coastal facilities with leisure and shopping

Tourism Stations: The “Pearl Necklace” Concept

The highway features 40 tourism stations (驿站), offering rest stops, sightseeing, local culture, and smart facilities. Stations are categorized as:

• Natural Landscape Type: Wetlands, salt flats, cliffs, and bays
• Cultural & Historical Type: Museums, heritage exhibits, and tech experience centers

Sample Stations:

• Haikou (海口): Donggang Migu (东港觅古)
• Wenchang (文昌): Qixing Ti Cui (七星啼翠), Mulan Bo Guang (木兰波光)
• Qionghai (琼海): Liu Jin Yu Dai (流金玉带), Qingge Longwan (青葛龙湾)
• Sanya (三亚): Haitang Huayu (海棠花语), Yazhou Hongyun (崖州红韵)
• Danzhou (儋州): Ye Rong Jin Tan (叶蓉金滩), Huoshan Haian (火山海岸)

Each station provides dining, accommodation, entertainment, shopping, and cultural experiences, ensuring travelers enjoy a complete coastal adventure.

Key Infrastructure

The highway features:

• Bridges: Guangcun Bridge (光村大桥), Yugu Gang Bridge (鱼骨港大桥), Wenlanjiang Bridge (文澜江大桥), and Beimenjiang Super Bridge (北门江特大桥)
• Viewing Platforms: 45 scenic overlooks
• Parking Areas: 25 rest areas
• Renewable Energy: 14 energy recharge stations
• Smart Technology: 23 intelligent tourism hubs (智慧驿站) with 5G connectivity, GPS, and data-driven traffic management

Tourist Activities & Events

The highway is not just for driving; it hosts annual sports, cultural, and entertainment events:

• Cycling & Running Events: “Ride & Run China 2025” (骑跑中国2025) in Qizi Bay, connecting scenic viewpoints
• Relay Races: The 2025 Chia Tai Food Mountain-to-Sea Relay (正大食品越山向海人车接力中国赛) from Qionghai to Wanning, covering 140 km along the highway
• Fitness & Walking Events: The 2025 China National Fitness Walking/Running Competition (全民健身走跑大赛) in Sanya, promoting health tourism along coastal highlights
• Documentary Features: CCTV-9 aired “Slowly Arriving” (慢慢到达) showcasing Hainan’s ecology, culture, and coastal charm

Additionally, self-driving tours and sightseeing bus services connect major scenic points, including Haikou Old Arcade Street (骑楼老街), Mulan Bay (木兰湾), Tonggu Ridge (铜鼓岭), and Sanya Bay (三亚湾).

Road Design & Travel Experience

The Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway is designed as a multi-dimensional tourist route:

• Scenic Diversity: 20% of the highway offers unobstructed ocean views, cliffs, beaches, wetlands, sand dunes, forests, and farmland
• Full-Island Connectivity: Combines one main ring (the highway), two central hubs (Haikou & Sanya service centers), four scenic zones (north leisure, east wellness, south romance, west cultural exploration), and multiple “starry spots” such as tourism stations, campsites, and villages
• Smart & Eco-Friendly Travel: Supports autonomous driving, zero-emission charging, smart management, and real-time monitoring
• Safe & Comfortable: Two-lane highways with design speeds of 30–40 km/h, roadbed width of 9.5 meters, and modern facilities for all travelers

Significance for Hainan Tourism

The highway is a milestone project for Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) and a cornerstone of its International Tourism Consumption Center plan. By connecting coastal towns, scenic spots, resorts, and cultural hubs, it:

• Boosts regional tourism development
• Integrates local economy with modern travel infrastructure
• Promotes eco-tourism, sports tourism, and cultural tourism
• Enhances visitor experiences through smart tourism stations and multi-modal transport options

Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: Year-round; coastal views are stunning in both dry and wet seasons
• Must-See Segments: Qizi Bay, Haitang Bay, Tianya Haijiao, Mulan Bay, Danzhou beaches
• Transportation: Self-driving, sightseeing buses, or cycling along designated lanes
• Activities: Cycling, running, hiking, photography, water sports, cultural tours

Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, the Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway offers an unforgettable journey around the “Pearl Necklace of Hainan”.