Wanning sits on the southeast coast of Hainan, a tropical place where it rains heavily for much of the year and the monsoon runs from late June into early November. The city is known for its tropical scenery, and the urban centre itself lies about half an hour's drive from the beach.
For a visitor, the practical question is whether to base yourself in the central urban area or out on the coast. The city proper, the bays and the inland hot-spring town are distinct bases, each with a different relationship to the sea and to the railway. This guide covers the areas the sources identify as places to sleep, and what each one means for your trip.
Best areas to stay in Wanning
1. Central Wanning
This is the county seat and the urban core, in Wancheng Town. It is the most practical base if you want to be in the city itself rather than at the beach, with the railway station and everyday town life close at hand. Accommodation here ranges from budget-level hotels to the only five-star property in the central urban area, and the Wanning Guest Hotel sits at the south end of Renmin Park in the Chengbei New District.
Keep in mind that the city proper is roughly half an hour's drive from the beach, so this area suits travellers who are happy to travel out to the coast rather than wake up beside it.
2. Riyue Bay
Riyue Bay is a coastal tourism area built around the beach, and it draws visitors who want to be on the water. The accommodation here is mid-range, and the bay is known as a surfing destination. It suits travellers who prioritise the sea over the town, and it is a reasonable choice for a first visit if the beach is the point of your trip.
The area is reached from the Riyue Bay exit, so it works best if you have transport arranged or are comfortable with the drive from the city.
3. Shenzhou Peninsula
The Shenzhou Peninsula is a resort tourism area on the coast in Dong'ao Town, given over to large resort properties. It suits travellers looking for a self-contained coastal stay, and the accommodation here is at the upper end. At least one property runs a shuttle bus from Sanya Phoenix International Airport, which must be booked in advance and carries a fee.
Because the peninsula is a resort zone rather than a town, plan on eating and spending your time within the resort area.
4. Shimei Bay
Shimei Bay is a tourism resort area on the coast, home to luxury resorts. It is the most upmarket of the coastal bases and suits travellers who want a resort stay with the beach as the focus. One resort here operates a complimentary shuttle bus from Sanya Phoenix International Airport, which requires an advance booking.
As with the other coastal resort areas, you are some distance from central Wanning, so this base is about the resort and the bay rather than the city.
5. Xinglong
Xinglong is an inland town known for hot springs, and the accommodation here includes large resort properties and hot-spring hotels. It suits travellers who want a quieter, inland base and are interested in the springs rather than the beach. It is a distinct option from the coastal areas and from central Wanning.
Because it is inland, staying in Xinglong means you are not within walking distance of the sea.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: In central Wanning you find simple hotels at the lower end of the price range, with rooms starting from around ¥130 per night.
- Mid-range: The coastal areas such as Riyue Bay offer mid-range hotels, with rooms starting from roughly ¥380 to ¥390 per night. In Xinglong, a four-star hot-spring hotel starts from around ¥300 per night.
- Splurge: The five-star resorts are concentrated in the coastal tourism areas and in Xinglong, with rooms starting from around ¥400 per night and rising to around ¥840 per night at the luxury resorts of Shimei Bay.
Best area for a first visit
Central Wanning is the best base for a first visit, because it puts you in the city itself with the railway station and the widest range of accommodation, from budget rooms to a five-star hotel. From there you can travel out to the beaches, which lie about half an hour's drive away. If your trip is entirely about the coast, Riyue Bay is the more natural first choice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Wanning?
Wanning is served by the Wanning Railway Station, which is part of the Hainan East Ring Intercity Rail.
When should I avoid the rain?
Wanning has a tropical monsoon climate and is hot and very rainy most of the year. The monsoon season runs from late June to early November, and only January and February have rainfall barely below 60 millimetres. It can also turn cold at times, with temperatures between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius.
Can I stay at the beach and still reach the city?
The city proper lies approximately half an hour's drive from the beach, so a coastal base such as Riyue Bay, Shenzhou Peninsula or Shimei Bay keeps you at the sea but at a distance from central Wanning.
Which areas have hot springs?
Xinglong is the inland town associated with hot springs, and it has hot-spring hotels among its accommodation.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.