Wenchang

Wenchang (文昌; Bun-Sio in Hainanese, Wén​chāng​ in Mandarin) is on the northeast coast of Hainan Province in southern China.

Wenchang has been the cultural center of Hainan for centuries and the Wenchang accent is considered the standard variant of Hainanese. The city houses the Confucius Temple, one of the oldest building on the island, and Wenchang School, a prestigious school funded by many overseas Chinese.

The city is not as "modern" and booming as Sanya. It is rather like a showcase on the lifestyle of ordinary Hainanese. It has only 520,000 residents, but is the ancestral home for over a million overseas Chinese, mainly in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. These immigrants have influenced the lifestyle back in Wenchang. During the day, people enjoy hanging out in a (kinda) cafe with a cup of tea and a slice of cake for Y1-2. At night, they may play table tennis, sing KTV and dance Tango in Wenchang Park.

The city also has a huge coconut plantation with more than 500,000 trees shadowing the beach resort area. The water quality is not as clear as certain beaches in Sanya, but the area is largely unspoiled by tourism. Tourism-related scams and crimes are almost unheard of. The friendliness of local people have made it an appealing alternative to Sanya.

• Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, Longlou Town (龙楼镇) (From Wenchang Railway Station, take Tourist Bus No. 1. From Longlou Bus Station, you may take either Tourist Bus No. 1 or Tourist Bus No. 2, +86 898 63568080. 08:30-16:30. This is a former sub-orbital test center and being upgraded. It is the fourth and southernmost space vehicle launch facility (spaceport) of China. It was selected for its low latitude, only 19 degrees North, which allows a substantial increase of payload mass, necessary for the future manned program, space station and deep space exploration program. Therefore, it will replace the obsolete Xichang Satellite Launch Center upon completion of upgrade works. Furthermore, it will be capable of launching the new heavy lift CZ-5 booster under development. Rail tracks of inland Space Centers will not allow the delivery of the new 5 meters core boosters, which Wenchang will, as it is served by a sea port. Chinese nationals may tour the site. but due to reasons of national security, there is a ban on visits by foreign tourists. Residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are also not welcome here. ¥130.
• Wenchang Confucius Temple, 20 Wendongli, Wencheng Town (文城镇文东里20号) (A short distance west of Wenchang Park, +86 898 63227482. 08:00-18:00. One of the best preserved examples of ancient architecture in Hainan. The temple was built during the 11th century, and has undergone repeated renovation and expansion since the Ming Dynasty. ¥15.
• Tonggu Ridge, Zuanshi Avenue, Longlou Town (龙楼钻石大道) (From Wenchang Railway Station take Tourist Bus No. 1. From Longlou Bus Station, you may take either Tourist Bus No. 1 or Tourist Bus No. 2. Alternatively from Wenchang Bus Station, you may take a 1-hour bus to Longlou and change to a motorcycle taxi to get to Tonggu Ridge, +86 898 63328888. 08:30-18:00. Tonggu Ridge provides an easy escape from the busy downtown of Wenchang and has a stunning view of the coastline of Hainan island covered by hundreds of thousands of coconut trees. Special sightseeing cars are available to take visitors to the summit for ¥25 (or ¥45 for a return trip). You can also choose to walk. The road is well-constructed and paved and it only takes a 40-minute walk to go to the top. To avoid troubles, you better arrange when the drivers should take you back to Longlou. As of 2019, Tonggu Ridge is designated a restricted military area due to the presence of a small army base near the summit. Unfortunately, this means that foreign tourists are not allowed to visit. ¥50.
• Dongjiao Coconut Groves, Dongjiao Town (东郊镇) (Across from the bus station in Wenchang is a local bus stop from which white mini-buses can take you to a ferry crossing at Qinglan Harbour (清澜港). After reaching the other side, take a 3-km ride on a motorised pedicab to get to the site. 08:00-18:00. A beautiful quiet spot to spend a few days. There are about 500,000 coconut trees here amongst winding footpath, small huts, sunshine and the sandy beach. Enjoy the seafood in the restaurants at the shore and try different kinds of beach and sea sports or just have a stroll along the footpath. If it happens to be a breezy day, the leaves of coconut trees will let out a sound of pleasing. There are a good number of basic guesthouses and restaurants along with a resort on the sea. English is not spoken, but the local people are friendly and eager to help. Free.
• Gaolong Bay, +86 898 36910018. Open all day. White-sand bathing beach Free.
• Bamen Bay Mangrove Forest, Binwan Road, Wencheng Town (文城镇滨湾路) (The best option is take a taxi. There is no public transport in the area. Open all day. Free.
• Ancestral Home of Song Qingling, Luyuan Village, Changsa Town (昌洒镇古路园村) (About 40km northeast of downtown Wenchang. From Wenchang Bus Station, take a long-distance bus to Changsa (昌洒), then hire a motorcycle taxi to take you the remaining 6km to the site, +86 473 63308418. 09:00-17:30. ¥15.
• Gusong Village. Ancient, unique, beautiful, non-commercial traditional Hainanese village, a hidden gem. The village houses are bright and close to beautiful undiscovered and isolated beaches.

Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, Longlou Town (龙楼镇) (From Wenchang Railway Station, take Tourist Bus No. 1. From Longlou Bus Station, you may take either Tourist Bus No. 1 or Tourist Bus No. 2, +86 898 63568080. 08:30-16:30. This is a former sub-orbital test center and being upgraded. It is the fourth and southernmost space vehicle launch facility (spaceport) of China. It was selected for its low latitude, only 19 degrees North, which allows a substantial increase of payload mass, necessary for the future manned program, space station and deep space exploration program. Therefore, it will replace the obsolete Xichang Satellite Launch Center upon completion of upgrade works. Furthermore, it will be capable of launching the new heavy lift CZ-5 booster under development. Rail tracks of inland Space Centers will not allow the delivery of the new 5 meters core boosters, which Wenchang will, as it is served by a sea port. Chinese nationals may tour the site. but due to reasons of national security, there is a ban on visits by foreign tourists. Residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are also not welcome here. ¥130.

Wenchang Confucius Temple, 20 Wendongli, Wencheng Town (文城镇文东里20号) (A short distance west of Wenchang Park, +86 898 63227482. 08:00-18:00. One of the best preserved examples of ancient architecture in Hainan. The temple was built during the 11th century, and has undergone repeated renovation and expansion since the Ming Dynasty. ¥15.

Tonggu Ridge, Zuanshi Avenue, Longlou Town (龙楼钻石大道) (From Wenchang Railway Station take Tourist Bus No. 1. From Longlou Bus Station, you may take either Tourist Bus No. 1 or Tourist Bus No. 2. Alternatively from Wenchang Bus Station, you may take a 1-hour bus to Longlou and change to a motorcycle taxi to get to Tonggu Ridge, +86 898 63328888. 08:30-18:00. Tonggu Ridge provides an easy escape from the busy downtown of Wenchang and has a stunning view of the coastline of Hainan island covered by hundreds of thousands of coconut trees. Special sightseeing cars are available to take visitors to the summit for ¥25 (or ¥45 for a return trip). You can also choose to walk. The road is well-constructed and paved and it only takes a 40-minute walk to go to the top. To avoid troubles, you better arrange when the drivers should take you back to Longlou. As of 2019, Tonggu Ridge is designated a restricted military area due to the presence of a small army base near the summit. Unfortunately, this means that foreign tourists are not allowed to visit. ¥50.

Dongjiao Coconut Groves, Dongjiao Town (东郊镇) (Across from the bus station in Wenchang is a local bus stop from which white mini-buses can take you to a ferry crossing at Qinglan Harbour (清澜港). After reaching the other side, take a 3-km ride on a motorised pedicab to get to the site. 08:00-18:00. A beautiful quiet spot to spend a few days. There are about 500,000 coconut trees here amongst winding footpath, small huts, sunshine and the sandy beach. Enjoy the seafood in the restaurants at the shore and try different kinds of beach and sea sports or just have a stroll along the footpath. If it happens to be a breezy day, the leaves of coconut trees will let out a sound of pleasing. There are a good number of basic guesthouses and restaurants along with a resort on the sea. English is not spoken, but the local people are friendly and eager to help. Free.

Gaolong Bay, +86 898 36910018. Open all day. White-sand bathing beach Free.

Bamen Bay Mangrove Forest, Binwan Road, Wencheng Town (文城镇滨湾路) (The best option is take a taxi. There is no public transport in the area. Open all day. Free.

Ancestral Home of Song Qingling, Luyuan Village, Changsa Town (昌洒镇古路园村) (About 40km northeast of downtown Wenchang. From Wenchang Bus Station, take a long-distance bus to Changsa (昌洒), then hire a motorcycle taxi to take you the remaining 6km to the site, +86 473 63308418. 09:00-17:30. ¥15.

Gusong Village. Ancient, unique, beautiful, non-commercial traditional Hainanese village, a hidden gem. The village houses are bright and close to beautiful undiscovered and isolated beaches.

• Wenchang Golf Club. Has 41 standard rooms with lake or golf course view, Chinese cuisines, coffee lounge, lobby bar, outdoor terrace, business center pro-shop and a 16-bay driving range.
• Abalone Farm, Longlou Town, Gusong Village (龙楼镇红海村委会古松村), +86 13876158836. Experience the shallow water diving for wild abalone. Abalone are not bi-valves like clams or oysters. They are snails. Gross, yet cool. The farm produces almost 100,000 abalone a year. The water is changed daily, dumped out through fine membranes to catch the microscopic babies which are then laid back in clean water. The hoses are also used to inoculate the tubs with algae-plugs of green stuff are allowed to form in the hoses and then blown into the tub to make seaweed slushies. Visitors can buy the fresh live abalone at a very reasonable local farmer price (around ¥100 per 400g!) Most of the abalone production is delivered fresh. Live abalone can survive for 30 hours.

Wenchang Golf Club. Has 41 standard rooms with lake or golf course view, Chinese cuisines, coffee lounge, lobby bar, outdoor terrace, business center pro-shop and a 16-bay driving range.

Abalone Farm, Longlou Town, Gusong Village (龙楼镇红海村委会古松村), +86 13876158836. Experience the shallow water diving for wild abalone. Abalone are not bi-valves like clams or oysters. They are snails. Gross, yet cool. The farm produces almost 100,000 abalone a year. The water is changed daily, dumped out through fine membranes to catch the microscopic babies which are then laid back in clean water. The hoses are also used to inoculate the tubs with algae-plugs of green stuff are allowed to form in the hoses and then blown into the tub to make seaweed slushies. Visitors can buy the fresh live abalone at a very reasonable local farmer price (around ¥100 per 400g!) Most of the abalone production is delivered fresh. Live abalone can survive for 30 hours.

• Wenchang Chicken - thanks to the influence of overseas Chinese from Hainan, this is one of the most famous chicken dish in Chinese cuisine. Poached by warm chicken broth, the chicken is tender and tasty.
• Abalone and seafood - Longlou Town (龙楼镇) is famous for abalone and seafood.
• Baoluo noodles - The rice noodles are soaked with a thick sauce traditionally served with beef jerky on top. Usually served at breakfast and lunch
• Tea house - Hainan is famous for its pervasive teahouse scenes. They are affordable for everyone but don't expect much on sanitation and cleanness. If you don't know how to get one, ask your hotel owner "附近有茶馆嗎?" (Fujin you chaguan ma? ) and they will be eager to show you one. Grab a cup of coffee and a slice of bread or cake for ¥1-1.5 each.

Wenchang Chicken - thanks to the influence of overseas Chinese from Hainan, this is one of the most famous chicken dish in Chinese cuisine. Poached by warm chicken broth, the chicken is tender and tasty.

Abalone and seafood - Longlou Town (龙楼镇) is famous for abalone and seafood.

Baoluo noodles - The rice noodles are soaked with a thick sauce traditionally served with beef jerky on top. Usually served at breakfast and lunch

Tea house - Hainan is famous for its pervasive teahouse scenes. They are affordable for everyone but don't expect much on sanitation and cleanness. If you don't know how to get one, ask your hotel owner "附近有茶馆嗎?" (Fujin you chaguan ma? ) and they will be eager to show you one. Grab a cup of coffee and a slice of bread or cake for ¥1-1.5 each.

Coconut milk

Wenchang has been known for being safe and hospitable. Tourism-related scams and crimes are almost unheard of but you should never ditch your common sense. Traffic rules are, like many other Chinese cities, practiced half-heartedly.

There are buses to various cities on the island, including Haikou and Sanya.