Hainan – China’s Hidden Gem Tropical Island Destination
Hainan – China’s Hidden Gem Tropical Island Destination
Where? Hainan, China with ThisIsHainanGov
Exactly? Hainan is the smallest province in China, it’s made up of a small group of tropical islands in the South China Sea. From glamorous yachts and international luxury hotel complexes in the south, through to the lush, tropical rain forest, mountainous regions and indigenous villages in the north, it’s a destination full of commercialism, modernity, nature, culture and tradition all in equal measure.
We stayed at? Raffles Hainan (pictured below) and The St Regis Hainan, two of islands most prestigious hotels.
Top image Bonnie wears yellow floaty dress by Lazul at Nanshan Temple.
Best time to go? The subtropical climate of the island makes it a great beach holiday destination all year round.
Special thanks to? ThisIsHainanGov for inviting me on such an amazing trip. I love being invited on adventures where I get to discover amazing, new destinations that I’ve never heard of before and this trip was a real voyage of discovery.
Here’s the Style Traveller guide to Hainan – China’s Hidden Gem Tropical Island Destination…
Where to stay? – Raffles Hainan
We spent an amazing four nights at the spectacular Raffles Hotel in Hainan. The grounds are vast landscaped areas, with perfectly manicured lawns, tropical palm trees and tranquil water features. I loved wandering though the immaculately kept gardens, turquoise lagoon swimming pools and peaceful marble verandahs, designed in a traditional Balinese style.
Raffles Hainan lives and breathes luxury, elegance and relaxation. It’s a beautiful oasis of calm.
Me indulging in a pampering rose petal bath in my own hotel suite. The lovely therapists from the spa come up to your room and create a rose experience for you to enjoy in the privacy of your own room. Divine!
Top image Bonnie wears rose print jumpsuit by Silk Fred and above Bonnie wears lilac swimsuit by Lazul.
There are 300 rooms and suites in the hotels exquisitely designed grounds, but even at full occupancy the complex is so big it never feels too busy. Thirty two of these are villas with their own private pools, which are ideal for a secluded luxury getaway. (pictured above).
Above Bonnie wandering around the magnificent hotel grounds filled with giant traditional sculptures and statues, wearing a rose print jumpsuit by Silk Fred
Above and Below Bonnie by the pool at Raffles wearing yellow swimsuit by Lazul
Breakfast at Raffles is an event in its own right. The buffet is expansive with an exceptional range of culinary treats, from Asian breakfast favourites like dim sum, sushi and ramen, to a full English, omelette stations, salad, fruit and juice bars galore and of course an amazing patisserie section. They really know how to put on a breakfast here. The staff at the restaurant were amazing too, they pandered to all of my weird eating whims! Thank you so much!
And possibly my favourite experience of all at the hotel was the signature massage at the Raffles Spa. Everything about this wonderful massage was utterly heavenly.
We also spent one lovely night at the St Regis, which was a stunning hotel but we didn’t spend enough time there which is a shame. It was literally a fleeting overnight stay. From what I did see though the hotel is beautiful with each spacious room providing amazing views of the bay.
Fun Things To Do In Hainan
Nanshan Temple and the statue of Nanshan Guanyin, the Eastern goddess of mercy, is perhaps the most famous tourist and holy site in Hainan. Towering 135m above the sea you can visit the top of the statues halo and look down on the view below. The iconic statue and the traditional temples around it are a very spiritual place for the hundreds of Buddhists who make the pilgrimage to see her every year.
Above Bonnie at the Nanashan Temple Gardens wearing chinoiserie lace dress by Silk Fred and below yellow silk dress by Lazul.
And I made a new little friend midst photo shoot on my trip to Nanshan.
Yanoda Rainforest
Consisting of 18 square miles of lush tropical terrain between two valleys, the Yanoda Rainforest is a wonderful natural spectacle. Trek through the forest by foot or take the zip line over the tree tops if you dare!
Indulge in the local cuisine. There are many delicious local signature dishes, pick and choose your dinner from the fish tanks and have it cooked in front of you at the Chun Yun Seafood Square, visit a local fish market or enjoy a night at the floating restaurant on Monkey Island.
Explore the picturesque rice paddy fields
Hit The Surf at Riyue Bay
Several surf schools run year round along the bay. Ask your hotel to find a local school in the area and also find out where the swell is good that day. Riyue Bay is a great, chilled out bay for surf beginners and comes with a beautiful mountain backdrop too. Above me and boys take our boards out for an afternoon on the waves.
Li and Miao Cultural Village
Be transported back in time to rural, ancient China and spend the day with the hill tribes from Li and Miao. Today it’s more of a theme park with explosive stage shows, buggies to get you around the acres of land and interactive culinary activities, where you taste home brews and sake infused with spiders (if it takes your fancy!). Or meet the great elder ladies of the tribe, who considered full body tattooing to be an honour and an ancient right of passage. Fascinating stuff.
By night Hainan nightlife is buzzing with bars and of course karaoke!! If you’re in the mood to get on the mic, you have hundreds of bars and karaoke joints to choose from.
For more information on Hainan you can follow ThisIs HainanGov social media channels on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Bye bye China, next stop London.
Bon Voyage xx
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Gosh that looks stunning, and very decadent. I love that the hotel spa people come into our room – very luxurious! i’d love to get in on the nightlife too, sounds like a lot of fun!
I always get a serious case of wanderlust everytime I read your blog and read about all the magical adventures that you get invited to. I love how you are giving us a glimpse into a side of China that tourists forget about and the Li and Miao Cultural Village sounds fun especially! I love that you described it as being like a theme park and the breakfast spread at Raffles is as equally exciting.
Had always heard of Hainan being a top destination for tourists in China. Your pictures do vouch for that fact! Need to get there on my China trip too! That cultural village sure seems interesting!
It was so interesting!
This is the ultimate holiday destination, especially loving the nightlife.Vibrant nightlives will ever make my nights!Love it.
very fun nights out
You are so beautiful and I loved all the photographs! Pictures bring a post alive and I fell in love with Hainan just by browsing through these images. Thanks for sharing.
Do drop by my blog as well : http://styleovercoffee.com :)
your blog is lovely
Hainan is a beautiful place! The Raffles Hotel it’s super impressive and the breakfast looks tasty. It looks like a really interesting place to explore and loves your outfits!
These pictures and places are so beautiful! I’ve been to many places in China, but never to Hainan. Next time I travel to China, I’ll definitely try to visit!
do go x
What luxury, it looks so wonderful. Especially the rose petal bath. If I went, I’d have to get a rose print jumpsuit too I think, I really love that!
loved wearing the rose jumpsuit so comfy
Such a beautiful hotel, looks like a very relaxing place to stay! Love your style and photos. That jumpsuit is very cute!
the jumpsuit is by Silk Fred
Omg wow this truly is a paradise gem! I would not want to leave ever. Btw just adore all your outfits so cute!
It was such a paradise
wow, that’s great. I would love to visit this place
It’s great
It’s great to have a vacation here. China is always my first choice for long trips. I like your photos at night.
Thanks so much
I missed Hainan last time I was in China. But looking forward to checking it out next time i am there. Like your outfits too x
thanks Anna do give it a try
I want to be for a week can I? I am in serious need of some spa and vacation time! This place would be great for me :)
yes a week would be perfect
What a great holiday destination this is, and the fact that anytime is good to go makes it even better! Your pictures are so lovely, and really make me want to go (and leave cold London) haha
xxx
You totally should it’s delightful x
OMG what a gorgeous place! a hidden gem indeed ♥ I’ve honestly never had this destination in mind but I so wanna go visit it now, hopefully I’ll get to go there soon
do go its lovely
It all looks so gorgeous and magical, it reminded me of an old Disney tv show hehe! Now I know where they’ve got the inspiration from for the place.
I am definitely gonna visit this place once I can :) Also, congrats on the great photogaphy!
oh please do x
Hainan looks like an amazing place.I really want to go on a vacation after reading your post, it seems you had an amazing time there. I loved Raffles Hotel- A rose petal bath and villas with private pool sounds like pure luxury!
Raffles is amazing i agree
Hainan . This place look amazing , so green . The grass , the coconut threes are look so fresh . Same like my island , Bali Island . One day I will visit this place , its on my bucket list
oh I love Bali too such a great place
To be honest, I have no idea about this place. But the pictures are fabulous! The place looks so calm and peaceful, that I am definitely keeping Hainan in my travel list. Thank your for sharing with us!
its very calm and beautiful
I dream to visit China since I was 6 years old. One day, I know I will make this dream come true. Till then, I am happy to be a passive traveller reading beautifully written articles.
Ps: I need to know where is that yellow dress from! ♥
It’s from Lazul and yes you should defo go!
Oh wow how beautiful! China is somewhere I have always wanted to visit although I had no idea it was so beautiful! That mustard swim suit is gorgeous by the way!
you so should it’s amazing x
China is the dream destination for all travelers. I heard about several attractions in the country but Hainan is new to me. Thanks for the sharing the info and your tips. It’s an interesting reading. Beautiful photographs give more value to your content.
All the best.
thanks so much
I am just in awe. I have read many travel posts but the way you combine the places you have visited , along with the clothing is so wonderful. I love the outfits. My favourites are the yellow bathing suit, white lace dress and jumpsuit.
I think Hainan would be great to see, I have been only to Shanghai.
I am just in awe. I have read many travel posts but the way you combine the places you have visited , along with the clothing is so wonderful. I love the outfits. My favourites are the yellow bathing suit, white lace dress and jumpsuit.
I think Hainan would be great to see, I have been only to Shanghai.
Hi Sheri,
Yes Hainan was great! do give it a go next time x
Loved all the photographs so much, you looked great in all the outfits and I must say both the hotels were a superb property to pamper oneself.
I’ve never been to China before and I have no idea they have places like this! Everything is serene and beautiful. It’s a must see.
I traveled to Hong Kong before but not China inland like Hainan. It’s on my bucketlist and with the luxury Raffles hotel to stay in. I’m in!
Gosh what beautiful photos, as well as the scenery, you look amazing too! I love that yellow dress!!
Oh wow that hotel looks absolutely insane, I would be so happy to go here. I’ve never heard of the area or island before x
What a gorgeous destination!!! Everything looks so gorgeous and lush. I will need to add China to my list of locales to visit in the upcoming years! You are beautiful, by the way!
Oh do it great x