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County-level & Sub-prefectural city in Hainan, People's Republic of China
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomas_fischler/, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Wuzhishan (五指山; Wǔzhǐshān; formerly known as Tongzha or Tongshen) is a city in Hainan's central highlands. It is a scenic town with very few tourists, lively markets and exceedingly cheap food.
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初保村
One of the very few Li minority villages on Hainan Island where it is still possible to see the boat-shaped thatched cottages traditionally associated with the Li people.
海南黎族苗族自治州人民政府办公楼旧址
This is one of the very few historical sites in Wuzhishan City. It was built in 1954 and originally served as the seat of government for the now defunct Hainan Li Miao Autonomous Prefecture. The building is not open to the public but is worth seeing due to its unique design which blends traditional Chinese architecture with Western neoclassical architecture.
海南省民族博物馆
A museum about Hainan's ethnic minorities. Has lots of information in English.
太平飞瀑, 太平山瀑布 Taiping Mountain Falls
A scenic waterfall in a forested area.
五指山革命根据地纪念园
This was the site of a PLA army base from 1948 to 1950 during the final stage of the Chinese Civil War. The memorial park was established here in 2001. It features a 23-meter tall monument, the graves of two notable Communist martyrs and a museum about the history of the former base. Information is in Chinese only.
牙胡梯田
Widely considered the most beautiful terraced fields on the island. Of course, the scenery tends to change according to the seasons. Some reports claim that November is the best time to visit.
红峡谷
A popular site for whitewater rafting. Other possible activities include walking, hiking, climbing, paddle boating, and 'real life Counter Strike'. Camping and barbeque facilities are available and there's a restaurant here too.
五指山水满河热带雨林风景区, 五指山热带雨林风景区 Wuzhishan Tropical Rainforest Scenic Area
Compared with the trails at the Wuzhi Mountain National Nature Reserve, the walking trails here are fairly easy. Moreover, if you don't feel like walking or are short on time, you have the option of taking a tour bus around the park. The visitor center also sells tickets for the nearby Rainforest Valley Rafting Area (五指山雨林谷漂流).
五指山
The adventuresome (and fit), might try climbing the 1,868 meter peak of Wuzhi Mountain itself. From the trailhead, hike up to the archway, and hang a left (either before or after you go through it, as long as the trail leads uphill you are probably going the right direction). The hike to the top is a grueling 2½-3½ hours. You will be climbing up ladders and roots, as the trail is extremely steep. You will probably have the whole mountain to yourself unless you go on one of the holy days of the local minorities. On these days, the trail is apparently quite crowded. Whatever they celebrate, it causes them to leave a lot of trash and firecracker wrappers lying about. Make sure to take a lot of food and water, dehydration could even be fatal. Do not do this unless you are in pretty good shape and have some experience hiking. The area is officially a nature reserve known as the Wuzhi Mountain National Nature Reserve (五指山国家级自然保护区). Staff discourage using the tropical trail on the grounds that you may get lost. This is true, as the trail branches off in many directions and does not conform to the map. The tropical trail is almost completely free of visitors and garbage. Near the start of the tropical trail (on the rainforest trail, by the bridge) there is a very small outdoor restaurant. As of 2025, there are no longer any restrictions on foreigners visiting the park.
多喜爱时尚餐厅
Clean and spacious restaurant serving both Asian and Western food. The restaurant is popular with family groups and can get a little noisy. There is a children's playground at the back.
沃野咖啡
A clean and well-decorated cafe run by a husband and wife team. Serves tea, coffee and fruit juice.
翡翠谷生态度假山庄
Very standard Chinese rooms. Has a green swimming pool (in color, not eco). Breakfast consists of cold noodles, boiled eggs and hot dogs, but has a great view. Has a cool castle that has rooms but you can't stay there.
珠江水晶酒店
A 4-star hotel that has very nice rooms and a great swimming pool.
五指山亚泰雨林酒店
This five-star hotel is the only place within the nature reserve that is open to foreigners.
海南御景酒店
A three-star hotel.
Take the bus from Sanya or Haikou or indeed almost any other city on the island (except Dongfang).
Read in the guideA public bus service operates within the main urban area. The fare on most routes is ¥1. Bus nos. 5 and 6, however, charge a variable rate that depends on distance.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Sanya (Tianya) · International · SYX
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