Ledong

Ledong lies on Hainan’s west coast, about 1–1.5 hours by car from Sanya. Travel here centers on tropical rainforests, seaside sunsets and local food. With relatively few visitors, it is a good place to explore at a slower pace, driving between sights.

• Jianfengling National Forest Park: This park preserves Hainan’s most intact remaining tropical rainforest, with a main peak rising to 1,412 meters. If you have the stamina, you can climb at night to watch the sunrise and sea of clouds, or walk along the Mingfeng Valley boardwalk to observe rainforest plants.

• Yinggehai Saltworks: One of China’s three largest saltworks, this site has a striking landscape of white salt mounds and reflections in the salt pans. On clear days, the water reflects the blue sky; evening is a good time to photograph the saltworks at sunset.

• Longmu Bay: Listed among the world’s ten best beaches for sunsets, it has China’s only coastline facing directly west. The beach slopes gently, and in the evening you can watch from the shore as the sea and sky gradually turn orange.

• Maogong Mountain: The ridge resembles the profile of Mao Zedong lying on his back. From higher ground, you can look out over the meeting of mountains and coast. Admission is free.

• Baicha Village: Hainan’s largest and best-preserved village of traditional Li boat-shaped houses is a good place to learn about Li residential architecture and related intangible cultural heritage.

Suggested 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Ledong and visit the saltworks and bay
  • Afternoon: After arriving, drive to Yinggehai Saltworks. The light softens after 4 p.m., and the salt pans can reflect the sky and clouds. Consider wearing light-colored clothing for photos.
  • Early evening: Drive to Longmu Bay, stroll along the kilometer-long pier and wait for sunset in the sea breeze, watching the orange glow reflected on the water.
  • Evening: Stay at a hotel or guesthouse near Longmu Bay and consider having a seafood dinner.
• Day 2: Climb for sunrise and walk through the rainforest
  • Before dawn: Visitors with enough stamina can buy a pre-dawn entry ticket and climb the main peak of Jianfengling at night. The ascent takes about 1.5 hours; once at the summit, wait for the sea of clouds and sunrise.
  • Morning: If you are not doing the night climb, set off later and enter the Jianfengling scenic area. Follow the Mingfeng Valley boardwalk through the rainforest to see buttress roots, strangler plants and tree ferns.
  • Lunch: Eat in Jianfeng Town or Huangliu Town and try the local Huangliu mature duck.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Li boat-shaped houses in Baicha Village and learn about the intangible cultural heritage of Li brocade weaving. Alternatively, visit Baisha River Valley Cultural Park to see its collection of more than 8,000 objects from Hainan’s past.
• Day 3: River valley hiking or beach activities, then depart
  • Morning: Head to the Longdianshi river valley for stream trekking and hiking, or explore the tidal flats near Longmu Bay for murex shells and enjoy some time on the quieter coast.
  • Lunch: Go to Huangliu Town to try Huangliu ku rice noodles. If you want to try the local Sandianban pork trotter rice, plan a separate late-night meal: the stall opens only after 11 p.m. and is not a lunch option.
  • Afternoon: After sightseeing, drive back or leave by high-speed train. The journey from Ledong Station to Sanya Station takes about 40 minutes.

Local Food in Ledong

Ledong’s local specialties can be found in its towns and neighborhood streets, so plan meals around your itinerary.

• Huangliu mature duck: A signature Ledong dish, with springy skin and firm meat that is not dry. It is often served as three dishes made from one duck, accompanied by a special dipping sauce. Try it at Fuge Laoya or Yuanju Laoya.

• Sandianban pork trotter rice: This late-night food stall is tucked away in an alley in Huangliu Town and usually opens around 11 p.m. The pork trotters are firm and rich in gelatin, served with local pickled mustard greens and yellow lantern chilies. The sour, spicy flavors help balance the richness.

• Huangliu ku rice noodles: This local noodle dish has a history of over a century. The broth is simmered with shrimp shells and large bones, then served with more than a dozen ingredients. It has a salty, savory flavor and smooth noodles.

• Li-style bamboo rice: Shanlan rice is packed into bamboo tubes and slowly roasted, giving it a delicate bamboo aroma. You can try it at farmhouse restaurants around the foot of Jianfengling.

• Yinggehai black pork rice dumplings: Black pork, sea duck egg yolks and other ingredients are wrapped in pandanus leaves and simmered over a wood fire for 9–11 hours, developing a rich aroma.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Where to stay:
  • For seaside sunsets: Consider Longmu Bay Caesar Palace or the Wyndham hotel near Longmu Bay, both with easy beach access. Average rates are around 300–600 yuan per night.
  • For a cool mountain retreat: Choose a guesthouse or mountain lodge around Jianfengling Tianchi, such as Mingfeng Valley Tianchi Mountain Retreat. Summer temperatures here average about 22°C, and accommodation averages around 400 yuan per night.

• For affordable food and accommodation: Huangliu Town and Ledong’s county seat have chain hotels and guesthouses costing around 100–200 yuan per person per night, with plenty of dining options nearby.
• Getting around:
  • Driving: The sights are spread out, so driving your own car or renting one makes it easier to link them together. Car rental costs around 200 yuan per day. The drive takes about 1.5 hours from Sanya Phoenix Airport or about 3 hours from Haikou.
  • High-speed rail: You can arrive at Ledong Station or Jianfeng Station, but reaching the sights by taxi or three-wheeler from either station is not particularly convenient. Rail may be worth considering if you mainly plan to eat and spend time in the county seat or Huangliu Town.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Saltworks entrance: Yinggehai Saltworks has only one official entrance. Be wary of roadside offers to take you in for free, as these may be scams.
• Rainforest hiking: If you plan to enter rainforest areas that are not fully developed for visitors in Jianfengling or Jiaxi Nature Reserve, hire a local guide. The cost is around 150 yuan per group. Do not venture alone onto unofficial routes, where you could get lost or encounter snakes and insects.
• Sunrise plans: To see the sea of clouds and sunrise at Jianfengling, buy a pre-dawn entry ticket and enter the park before 7 a.m. Arriving too late may mean missing the sea of clouds.
• Late-night food hours: Sandianban pork trotter rice operates late at night into the early morning and is closed during the day, so plan it as a late-night meal.
• Sun and mosquito protection: Hainan has strong UV exposure, so bring high-SPF sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. For rainforest hikes, also pack plenty of insect repellent and a windproof jacket.
• Tidal-flat gear: If you plan to look for murex shells on the tidal flats around Longmu Bay, bring a small bucket and non-slip shoes. Check the tide tables in advance and go at low tide.