Pay A Visit to Hainan

“Hainan” which literally means “South of the Sea” in Chinese， is a province off the southern coast of China in the South China Sea， which consists of several islands， the largest of which is Hainan Island. It is separated from the mainland China by a narrow strait. It is not only the southernmost province in all of China， but also， with an area of roughly 13，200 square miles， it is the smallest. Its capital city is Haikou， which is located on the northern coast of the island. The land of Hainan province is made up of vast coastline with natural harbors on the outside， and hills， valleys and mountains filled with rivers and streams on the interior. The climate of the province is extremely tropical.

Xitian Temple

Xitian Temple is located in Haikou City of Hainan Province. It covers an area of 1193 square meters. It was originally built in the Ming Dynasty. All the architectures in Xitian Temple are made of wood and bricks. Pillars and beams are decorated with beatiful pictures and carvings.

It was built by Wang Zuo， who was a personnel in Ming Dynasty. When he was the official in Hainan， he did many good things for the common people. Therefore， the following generation constructed the temple to commemorate him.

The temple can be devided into three parts. Between the first part and the second part， there is a courtyard. And between the second part and the third part， there is a pavilion. On the gate， there engraved. All the rooms in the temple are decorated with paintings and carvings. On the wall， there are the paintings telling stories. The relief sculptures on the stone pillars are delicate.

Wanquan River

Wanquan River is lying on the east part of Hainan Island. It is the third longest river in Hainan， and is 162 km long. It rises in the Wuzhi Mountain， and flows generally northeast turbulently in a narrow route through mountainous regions. About half way downstream， it enters Qionghai. Here the river bed widens and the water flows gently， and on the banks are mostly coconut trees and banana plantations. For its last 30 km， the river makes a southeast turn， and before it empties into the South China Sea at Boao， where it joins the Longgun River and Jiuqu River in a common estuary.

On both banks of the upper reaches of the river， mountains are fluctuant. There are the tropical forest， rubber plant garden and inscriptions on precipices on Shihu Mountain. A huge reseroir interrupts the whole river， making the river on the upper reaches a large lake.

On the middle and the lower reaches of Wanquan River， the waters are flowing slowly. The river becomes wider and wider from the upper to the lower part. Water is so clean that stones and sands in the bottom can be seen clearly. In the morning， villages and coconut trees on the river are in the mist. While in the afternoon， the sunshine makes the river golden.

The most attractive part of Wanquan River is the mouth of the river. There are the sea， sand beach， and forest. The bright sunshine and the fresh air will make you relax.

Wuzhi Mountain

Wuzhi Mountain is located at the center of Hainan Island. It is the highest mountain in Hainan. And it is regarded as one of the symbols of Hainan and also one of the famous mountains in China. The peaks are waving like saw-tooth and the shape is like five fingers， hence the name Wuzhi.

The mountains range from southwest to northeast， from thin to thick. The first peak， which is called Yizhi Mountain is like a huge pyramid with elevation of 1，300 meters high and the top of the peak is piercing into the sky obliquely.

The Erzhi Mountain is the highest peak of the Wuzhishan Mountain with elevation of 1，876 meters high. Between the Yizhi Mountain and Erzhi Mountain there is a “Sky Bridge” built with a natural huge stone. Since it is surrounded with cloud and mist all year round， it is called the Fairy Bridge with a lot of mythology stories. The Sanzhi Peak was the highest peak originally. Since it was cut by a portion by thunder several years ago， so it became a bit lower than before.

Besides， there are the Fourth Peak and the Fifth Peak. Although these five peaks tops are standing separately， their mountain bodies are joined together. Standing on the mountain， you can have a birds view of the whole South China Sea and the fishing boats in it.

Meanwhile the Wuzhishan Mountain is also the kingdom of precious animals and birds， there are various animals such as reptiles， birds and animals. Travelling in the Wuzhi Mountain， you will see animals come out to look for food or play with each other now and then.

The surrounding areas of Wuzhi Mountain are inhabited mainly by the Li ethnic group. You will have the chance to witness and feel something of its lifestyle， get to know their custom， appreciate their folk song and dance， and taste their special foods.

Wenchang Confucius Temple

Wenchang Confucius Temple is located in Wenchang City of Hainan Province. It was originally built in theNorthern Song Dynasty， and relocated to Wenchang in the Ming Dynasty. It is the best preserved ancient architecture in Hainan， and it is also the most unique tourist attraction in South China. It is crowned as the No. 1 temple in Hainan.

Wenchang Confucius Temple covers an area of 3300 square meters. It is compact in layout and also bilateral from left to right. There are the Lingxing Gate， Panchi Pool， Zhuangyuan Bridge and the statue of Confucius. Beside the bridge， there is an ancient well， called Saint Spring. The water is clear and sweet， and never dry for hundreds of years. The main architectures in the rear courtyard are the Dacheng Gate and Dacheng Hall . In front of the Dacheng Gate， there stands the statue of Confucius. Dacheng Hall is wooden， with primitive simplicity. In the hall， there are the tabernacle， statue， stele and credence.

Most buildings in the temple are carved with flowers， birds and animals. In the halls beside the rear courtyard， there exhibits the works of famous painters and calligraphors. Every year， people will hold the activities of sacrificing Confucius.