Transportation Visitors from outside Hainan can arrive at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou, the provincial capital, or at Sanya Phoenix International Airport at the southern tip of Hainan Island, and then transfer to Wenchang via a high-speed loop railway, the only one that circles a tropical island in the world. It takes bullet trains leaving Meilan, Haikou only 17 minutes to reach Wenchang station while a bullet train from Sanya Phoenix takes just over one hour. Local travel agencies operate tourism routes that take visitors to officially designated viewing points and other natural and cultural attractions. Visitors can also turn to app platforms to rent vehicles to drive to the space launch site and other tourist destinations on the tropical island. Accommodations Reserve rooms well in advance as hotels and homestays are very limited, and check in one day ahead as there will be traffic restrictions hours before each mission. Best launch views There are numerous sites and means to watch space launches in Wenchang — on its beautiful sprawling beaches, in paddy fields, on roofs of homestays or just inside rooms of seaside hotels. However, frequent visitors say that sites around Qishui Bay, which is 3 kilometers from the launch center, are known for offering the most impressive views. Other local attractions The launch complex itself should not be missed, apart from launch day itself, for a number of reasons including the 101-meter-high stainless steel gate — the highest in Asia. The exhibition center which presents a panorama of China’s aerospace development is a must see. Old traditional residences in Wenchang are popular among tourists to the island. Hainan produces 99.8% of China’s coconuts while Wenchang is known for growing about half of them. A huge workshop complex has been opened to display the history of coconut tree growing in Hainan and whole processing chains turn out tons of delicious coconut biscuits, candies and cookies popular with tourists and as gifts. A mangrove site known as Marine Forest Park is a popular tourist destination. Attractions beyond Wenchang Further south, the coastal resort city of Sanya offers grand sea views, world-class hotels, cozy homestay experiences and thrilling boat tours, including diving and adventures into the underwater “rainforest” that unfold breathtaking coral beauty, colorful fish and vibrant ecosystems. Westward into the inland areas, the country’s only tropical rainforest national park provides adventurers all the amazing elements of an ecological kingdom. (China Daily) | 