Staying at the Bay Hotel in Wanning, a road trip that's so healing
The best way to explore Wanning is definitely by self-driving! A 30-kilometer coastal tourist road connects one stunning bay after another, with mountains on one side and the sea on the other. You can stop anytime to enjoy the scenery—this feeling of freedom is truly healing. This guide shares a self-driving road trip itinerary in Wanning, featuring the most beautiful routes, bay comparisons, hidden gems, and coffee culture—all personally tested and packed with useful tips.
Most Beautiful Road Trip Route
🚗 Shimei Bay → Nanyan Bay → Shenzhou Peninsula → Chunyuan Bay → Dahua Cape → Shanqin Bay
This is Wanning’s most beautiful coastal tourist road, starting from Shimei Bay in the south and ending at Dahua Cape in the north, spanning over 30 kilometers. Nearly half the route offers sea views—truly a "storytelling road."
🚗 First Stop: Shimei Bay
Filming location for "If You Are the One 2," featuring a 6-kilometer pristine white sand beach with fine sand and clear water. Jiaojing Island is right opposite, and the Phoenix Jiuli Book House is a must-visit—reading and drinking coffee facing the sea is incredibly relaxing.
🚗 Second Stop: Shenzhou Peninsula
The iconic red and white lighthouse is a must-check-in spot. Watch the sunset over the Orange Sea at the Corona Sunset Bar. The beach is gentle and fine, perfect for wading and strolling, with few people and beautiful scenery.
🚗 Third Stop: Dahua Cape
Hainan’s unique pebble beach, stepping on the stones is very soothing. It’s very quiet and pristine, ideal for those who love tranquility.
🚗 Fourth Stop: Shanqin Bay
Known as Hainan’s little Iceland, featuring black reefs and Swallow Cave. Great for photography, but the road conditions are average, so an SUV is recommended.
Along this road, there are many viewing platforms and parking lots. You can stop anytime to enjoy the beautiful views without rushing—drive slowly and enjoy the journey.
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Bay In-Depth Comparison
🌊 Riyue Bay: Surfing paradise, popular with young people, lively atmosphere, suitable for surfing and nightlife, average beach
🌊 Shimei Bay: Most beautiful bay, fine sand and clear water, few people and quiet, perfect for vacation and daydreaming, many high-end hotels
🌊 Shenzhou Peninsula: Comprehensive resort area, good beach, well-equipped facilities, suitable for families and couples, many popular check-in spots
🌊 Chunyuan Bay: Hidden gem, almost no tourists, pristine, good for a self-driving stopover
🌊 Dahua Cape: Pebble beach, very unique, very few people, great for adventure lovers
🌊 Shanqin Bay: Black reef sea view, great for photos, poor road conditions, suitable for photography enthusiasts
Bay Selection Tips: Choose Riyue Bay for surfing, Shimei Bay for vacation, Shenzhou Peninsula for photography, and Dahua Cape for a less crowded experience.
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Hidden Gems Exploration
🔍 Qiaohai Ranch: Free-roaming lambs, cows, and ducks, super healing pastoral scenery, free entry, very few visitors
🔍 Shanhai Langren: A 10-minute hike to the mountaintop, offering a private sunset view over the entire bay, stunning sea views, free entry
🔍 Sun River Scenic Bridge: Surrounded by sea on three sides, shells to pick freely, best to shoot sunset at 4:30 PM, free entry, few people
🔍 M1 Coffee Fantasy Factory: Coffee-themed experience center, learn about coffee culture, family-friendly, affordable tickets
🔍 Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden: Over 3,200 species of tropical plants, see coffee and cocoa plants, ticket 48 RMB, half price for students
🔍 Bali Village: Overseas Chinese cultural village with colorful buildings that instantly transport you to Southeast Asia, ticket 45 RMB, great for photos
These places have very few tourists, no crowds, allowing you to truly appreciate Wanning’s beauty—much more comfortable than crowded popular spots.
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Coffee Culture Experience
☕ Xinglong Coffee: Wanning is known as China’s coffee hometown. Xinglong coffee has nearly 70 years of history, with varieties brought back by overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia.
☕ Longyuan Coffee Plantation: Visit the coffee plantation, learn about coffee production, and experience grinding coffee by hand. The pour-over coffee smells amazing.
☕ M1 Coffee Fantasy Factory: A three-story coffee-themed experience center with a coffee classroom and children’s playground, perfect for family visits.
☕ Riyue Bay Seaside Coffee Shops: GROM and Shaka, enjoy coffee by the sea while watching surfers—such a vibe.
☕ Xinglong Old Street Coffee Shops: Many long-established shops offering authentic coffee for 15 RMB a cup, paired with traditional snacks, a local daily routine.
☕ Coffee Products: Xinglong coffee beans, coconut milk coffee, coffee candy—all great souvenirs.
Wanning’s coffee culture is truly rich. Be sure to experience it here—it’s a unique charm not found in Sanya.
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Accommodation
🏨 The Westin Resort Shimei Bay, Wanning
Prime location in Shimei Bay with a 6-kilometer private beach, unbeatable sea view rooms, full vacation vibe.
🏨 Hyatt Regency Shenzhou Peninsula, Wanning
Located on Shenzhou Peninsula, backed by forest and facing the sea, spacious rooms, top-notch service, excellent environment.
🏨 Riyue Bay Riyue Star Surfing Seaview Hotel, Wanning
Riyue Bay, all sea view suites with refrigerator and washing machine, suitable for long stays, convenient for surfing.
🏨 Xinglong Old Coffee Theme Hotel, Wanning
Located in Xinglong Town, coffee-themed, quiet environment, learn about coffee culture, great value for money.