Lecheng

Getting around

Lecheng is compact and laid out along the Wanquan River, so once you are inside the pilot zone, walking is the most practical way to move between its facilities. For longer hops within the zone or between the zone and nearby points, use the shuttle bus service the zone itself operates — it is tied to the zone's own traffic rather than the wider city network, which makes it the most visitor-friendly option. Local buses No. 81, No. 82 and No. 83 also reach the area, but treat them as your link to surrounding parts of Qionghai rather than as a way to get around inside the zone; for the last stretch in, combine a bus with a short walk or a taxi.

Taxis and ride-hailing are the most flexible choice for short trips and the default for reaching the zone from the airport, the rail station or the expressway exit, and for any journey with luggage or outside bus hours. Because the zone sits between Jiaji Town and the Boao Forum core area, a car is also the simplest way to move between those points without depending on a fixed schedule. For long-distance connections, high-speed rail is the main option: Boao High-speed Railway Station is a short drive from the zone, and trains run from there to Haikou Meilan International Airport, a sensible alternative to a long road transfer. By air, Qionghai Boao Airport is the close option, a short car ride away, while Haikou Meilan is much further by road but linked by rail via Boao station. Whichever airport you use, plan on a car or train for the final leg — there is no direct rail or bus link from the terminal to the zone's doorstep. If you are driving, the zone is reached from the Zhongyuan exit of the G98 Hainan Island Ring Expressway, followed by a short drive.

Three days in Lecheng

Day one: Start in Lecheng itself, getting your bearings in the town before heading out to the Wanquan River, which runs through the area and gives you a sense of the surrounding landscape. From there, continue to Jiaji Town, the local centre in Qionghai, where you can spend the rest of the day settling in and trying local food.

Day two: Head to Boao, on the coast, where the Boao Forum has put the town on the map. Boao High Railway Station and Qionghai Boao Airport make this stretch easy to reach, and taxis are the simplest way to move between the sights. Whichever route you take, keep the pace relaxed and let the day unfold around Boao.

Day three: Use the Hainan Island Ring Expressway to connect the remaining stops, or head north toward Haikou Meilan International Airport if you're flying out. If you're departing by rail, Haikou Meilan and the Boao stations are both options. Because the region is compact, you can fit in a final look around Lecheng before you leave.