Stayed at the Rainforest Hotel in Wuzhishan, and it was so cool.
Family! Who says you can't go to Hainan in the summer? I went to Wuzhishan in July, and it was much cooler than my hometown! 28°C during the day, 22°C at night, and I even needed a blanket to sleep. This isn’t Hainan at all; it’s like a natural air-conditioned room hidden in the tropics 🌴
To be honest, I was quite worried before the trip, thinking Hainan would be extremely hot and sunny in summer. But when I arrived in Wuzhishan, I realized it was totally different. The place is full of tropical rainforests, with lots of trees blocking the sun, and the mountain breeze is cool and refreshing—very comfortable.
Let me tell you about transportation first, so you don’t get it wrong.
I drove from Haikou, which took about two and a half hours on the highway, very easy to drive. From Sanya, it’s even closer, just about an hour and a half.
If you don’t have a car, don’t worry. Haikou East Station has direct tourist buses to Wuzhishan, departing at 8 a.m. The fare is 50 yuan, but the schedule is limited, so check the times in advance.
Once you arrive in Wuzhishan City, the attractions are a bit spread out, so renting a car or carpooling is recommended; otherwise, it’s inconvenient.
Here’s how I planned my first day, focusing on a rainforest adventure.
In the morning, I headed straight to the Wuzhishan Tropical Rainforest Scenic Area, a must-visit. The ticket is 45 yuan, and the electric cart is 20 yuan. I highly recommend buying the electric cart ticket; otherwise, walking inside will be exhausting.
I arrived at 7:30 a.m., just as the gates opened. There were very few people, and the air was filled with the scent of wild ginger flowers. Taking a deep breath felt like my lungs were cleansed.
There are two routes in the scenic area: the left is the Changhua River Source Trail, which is relatively flat and suitable for beginners, elders, and children; the right is the mountain climbing trail, which is steeper and better for those with good stamina.
I chose the left Changhua River Source Trail, walking along the stream with towering trees on both sides. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating beams of light, which was very atmospheric.
Along the way, I saw many unique plants, like strangler figs and root-clinging stones, typical tropical rainforest features, very fascinating.
The most amazing was the group of Cyathea spinulosa ferns, living fossils from the dinosaur era. They grow very tall, like big umbrellas. Standing underneath, I felt like I had traveled back to the Jurassic period.
In the afternoon, I went rafting in the Red Canyon—so thrilling!
How can you come to Wuzhishan in summer and not go rafting? The Red Canyon rafting is really fun, about 3 kilometers long with a drop of over 100 meters, taking about an hour and a half to float down.
I thought it would be very sunny, but the canyon is full of trees, so there’s no sun exposure. The water is very cool, and floating on it feels refreshing and comfortable.
There are several big drops where my heart jumped to my throat when rushing down—super exciting! I was screaming the whole time and lost my voice.
In the calmer parts, you can have water fights. I played with strangers in the boat next to me. Even though we didn’t know each other, it was so much fun, like being a kid again.
Oh, be sure to bring a change of clothes and a waterproof bag, or your phone will get wet. Don’t ask me how I know 😅
The second day was all about slow living and experiencing Li and Miao cultures.
In the morning, I visited the Hainan Ethnic Museum, which is free with an ID card and definitely worth seeing.
There are many Li and Miao cultural relics inside, like Li brocade and silver ornaments, all exquisitely crafted. I spent a long time admiring them, amazed at the craftsmanship of ancient people.
There’s also a model of a Li boat-shaped house, very interesting. I had only seen it in books before, so seeing the real thing was quite impressive.
The museum has guides who explain everything very well, so I recommend listening to them when you visit to learn a lot.
In the afternoon, I went to Yahu Terraced Fields—so beautiful!
This place is truly a treasure! I found it on Xiaohongshu and discovered it lives up to its reputation.
Yahu Terraced Fields were cultivated by the Li people and have a history of several hundred years. The terraces layer upon layer stretch from the foot to the top of the mountain, very spectacular.
I went in the afternoon when the sunlight slanted over the terraces, making the water surfaces shimmer with golden light. The distant mountains were shrouded in mist, like a fairyland.
Next to the terraces is a Li ethnic village, very original. I wandered around and saw many elders weaving Li brocade and children chasing and playing, full of life.
By the way, the locals are very warm. I passed by a household, and they invited me in to drink mountain orchid wine. It was delicious, sweet, and not very strong—girls can easily drink it.
On the third day, I went to Shuiman Township, which was incredibly comfortable.
Shuiman Township is at the foot of Wuzhishan, the highest-altitude township in Hainan. It’s especially cool in summer, and you even need a blanket to sleep at night.
I casually strolled around the township, which is full of tea gardens, lush and green, very beautiful. I even tried tea picking in the garden. Although I wasn’t very good at it, it was very interesting.
Shuiman Township also has a Wuzhishan Viewing Platform. On clear days, you can see the entire Wuzhishan, with five peaks lined up like five fingers—very magical.
When I went, there were some clouds, and the peaks appeared and disappeared like an ink painting, giving a unique charm.
Here are some tips to avoid pitfalls:
1. Although Wuzhishan is cool, UV rays are still strong. Be sure to apply sunscreen, especially during rafting, as you can easily get sunburned.
2. There are many mosquitoes in the rainforest. Bring strong mosquito repellent, or you’ll get bitten badly.
3. Wear non-slip shoes. The rainforest paths are slippery and often wet, so it’s easy to fall.
4. Bring a light jacket. It’s still a bit chilly in the mornings and evenings, especially in the mountains.
5. Don’t eat near the scenic spots; it’s expensive and not tasty. Go to small restaurants in the city or town for cheap and authentic food.
6. The signal in the rainforest is weak. Download offline maps in advance so you don’t get lost.
Honestly, I originally planned to stay for three days but ended up staying five. I woke up naturally every day, took walks in the rainforest, or drank tea in the tea gardens. Life was very leisurely.
After staying in the city for a long time, you really need a place like this to slow down and enjoy the beauty of nature.
If you’re still wondering where to escape the heat in July, trust me, come to Wuzhishan. It will definitely surprise you!
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Accommodation
🏨 Wuzhishan Yatai Rainforest Hotel
Located at the foot of Wuzhishan’s main peak at 1,867 meters above sea level, built directly in the rainforest. Open the window and you see the primeval forest; every breath is full of high-concentration negative oxygen ions.
🏨 Wuzhishan Rendi Mountain Rainforest Hotel
A 12,000-acre rainforest health base. Every room enjoys a forest spa, balconies come with natural white noise of insects and birds, plus natural hot spring baths.
🏨 Maona Rainforest Time Countryside Luxury Homestay
Located in Maona Village, Wuzhishan City, a Li ethnic village deep in the tropical rainforest. Offers afternoon tea and butler service, with duplex loft rooms and standalone villas.
🏨 Hainan Yujing Hotel
Located in the Shuiman Tropical Rainforest Reserve, 28 kilometers from Wuzhishan City. Mountain view rooms with excellent views, children’s club, and garden.
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