Travel to Guangxi and Hainan

[abcdefg]

I’ve finished my first batch of classes and will be taking a break for two or three weeks before beginning again. (I study one-to-one here in Kunming, so scheduling is flexible.)

Here’s what I have in mind. If you have been to these places and have thoughts, please chime in.

1. Fly Kunming to Nanning. I know there is a train which is supposed to be scenic, and I might take it on the way back.
   
2. Two or three days in Nanning. The consensus I’ve gotten from Chinese friends is that there isn’t all that much to see or do there. Have been to Guilin before, and this time want to concentrate on more southerly points. I may try to organize a Vietnam visa while I am in Nanning.
   
3. Take the bus from Nanning to Beihai. Supposed to run many times a day and take under 4 hours.
   
4. Three days or so in Beihai. I’d like to see the beach and enjoy some fresh seafood. I understand Beihai is a livable city and has clean air. Always good to get acquainted first hand with places like that.
   
5. Take a boat from Beihai to Haikou on the north end of Hainan Island. I’ve read it’s an overnight trip, but I don’t have details.
   
6. Spend three days or so in Haikou. Maybe go out to one of the smaller interior mountain towns where one can get a glimpse of rural minority customs and life.
   
7. Take the fast train south to Sanya. Supposed to only take about an hour and a half.
   
8. Spend three days or so in Sanya. I’ve read it’s full or tourists and rather expensive at this time of year, so I may not stay quite that long depending on how it feels.
   
9. Either fly back to Kunming from Sanya or Haikou or fly to Nanning and take the train back to Kunming.
   
10. I’ve thought about adding a Vietnam leg to the trip, depending on whether or not I am ready to go home when the time comes. (Home is Kunming.)
    
11. If I go to Vietnam, my destination would be the ancient capitol of Hue. It isn’t far by boat from Sanya and I’m pretty sure there are flights as well.
    

Ideas and suggestions welcome. Thanks. I have attached a map.

Guangxi -- Hainan -- Vietnam.pdf

[jasoninchina]

If you have any questions about Hainan, I'll do my best to answer them.

[abcdefg]

If you have any questions about Hainan, I'll do my best to answer them.

Thanks, @Jasoninchina. I see you are living in 海口, so first off, how do you like it there? I've lived in Zhuhai, and Haikou sounds similar in some ways. Are you studying in a private school or in a university?

Have you been to any of the central highland smaller towns such as Wuzhishan (五指山)？If so, do you think visiting one is worth the trouble? Would you overnight there?

Have you taken the high speed train from Haikou to Sanya? Is it the best way to go, or would you suggest taking the old slower train along the East Coast of the island and then stop off in one of the smaller cities for a night? If so, which one?

I'm concerned about Sanya being too glitzy, overpriced and full of rich Russian and Dongbei tourists plus winter "snowbirds" who fly south to avoid the cold for a month or two. Have you been there at this time of year? If so, did you find it to be pleasant? For simple pleasures such as just lounging on a beach, enjoying the night markets, eating seafood outside on the street in the evening, how does it compare with Haikou?

Appreciate your help.

[anonymoose]

I've been to Hue. Hoi An is also a pleasant but small town. If you get the chance, I recommend taking the train from Da Nang to Hue as the scenery is quite spectacular.

[abcdefg]

Thanks, @annonymoose. I read about Hoi An, and must agree it sounds like a good smaller place. Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An are all fairly close together. But the more I think about this trip, the more I think that I may limit it to Guangxi and Hainan, then visit Vietnam another time. Don't want to try to pack too much into a relatively short time, since that can destroy the fun of liesure travel.

[jasoninchina]

I like Haikou. It's very relaxed here. I have never been to 五指山, but I would love to go. If I'm available during your visit, I could take you around to some of the places closeby.

I have taken the high speed train to Sanya. It is much preferable than any other mode of transportation, I would highly recommend it. It does make a few stops along the way, but I don't recall offhand which ones. This is the best time of year to go to Sanya. Yes, it will have more people, but the weather is usually fantastic compared to Haikou. You can always find a little piece of the beach if that's what you're looking for. Your greatest concern will be finding a cheap enough place to stay. Regarding the food, Haikou is the place as far as I'm concerned. It may just be that I don't know where to go in Sanya, but my feeling is that Haikou is significantly better. There are a few places in Sanya I would recommend. Particularly monkey island and the buddhist temple. Both are just outside the city, so you'd have to arrange transport, but are well worth it. Come to think of it, there are lots of places in and around Sanya to visit, and I'm sure you've looked them up already.

If you're going to be in Haikou for any length of time, let me know. I'm sure I can make some time to take you around the city. Haikou is more about the food and Sanya about the siteseeing. Just remember to try the 清补凉 while you're here. Hope this helps.

[abcdefg]

Thanks @Jasoninchina for the travel tips and for your kind offer of hospitality. I will send you a private message in a day or two after determining when I will be in Haikou. I will probably spend three days there and then move on south to Sanya.

[liuzhou]

Of all the places to stay or visit in Guangxi, Nanning is probably the least interesting. Apply for your visa, get out then go back to pick it up three days later.

You could usefully spend the time exploring the Zhuang villages in Wuming County, not far to the south. Other places worth seeing in southern Guangxi include Detian waterfall on the border with Vietnam.

If you have time, while in Beihai, take a boat out to the off-lying Weizhou island. It's lovely, but is only going to get more touristy, so worth a visit before they destroy it.

[abcdefg]

The Detian waterfals do look great. I might go down there, maybe spend a night in Chongzuo 崇左。Also appreciate the tip about Weizhou Island out of Beihai. Some of what I do will depend on the weather. (Light rain is forecast now -- I leave tomorrow.)

[liuzhou]

Yes, it's a bit chilly and wet down here in the so-called tropics! Wrap up well!

[Brad Patterson 包德]

Definitely consider going to 大里 and 丽江 in N. Western Yunnan. 西双版纳 is amazing too. I passed right through 桂林 and went to 阳朔。 Enjoy your trip! I'm jealous.

[abcdefg]

Definitely consider going to 大里 and 丽江 in N. Western Yunnan. 西双版纳 is amazing too.

I live in Yunnan (Kunming.) I'm in Guangxi and Hainan on vacation. But I've been to the spots you mentioned and agree they are fine.