Wenchang sits on the northeast coast of Hainan Island, facing the South China Sea, with a long coastline, coconut country inland and a landscape of towns, farms and villages rather than one dense resort strip. It is the ancestral home of many overseas Hainanese, and Wenchang chicken — the origin of Hainanese chicken rice — comes from here. The spaceport at Longlou has added a newer reason to visit.
For a visitor, the practical question is which town to base yourself in, because the places worth seeing are spread across the municipality and the distances between them are real. The downtown area holds the shops, restaurants and evening activity; the coconut coast east of it is quiet and beach-oriented; the northeast is the launch-site side. This guide covers the areas the sources describe, who each one suits, and what to expect at different price levels.
Best areas to stay in Wenchang
1. Wenchang downtown (Wencheng Town)
The downtown is where most residents live and the busiest part of the city, with the greatest concentration of restaurants, shops and local night life. Most hotels are found along Wenjiang Lu and Dongfeng Lu. It is the natural base if you want everyday urban conveniences and the widest choice of places to eat and stay.
The centre sits at near sea level, with a canal running between one of the main streets and Wennan Old Street, and this area has flooded severely a number of times in the past. Another main road climbs uphill to the south toward Yilong Bay, and directly north of the centre is a hilltop residential community. Wennan Old Street, lined with restored tong lau buildings, is in the heart of the town, so staying downtown puts a visitor attraction within walking distance.
2. Dongjiao Yelin (Dongjiao Coconut Plantation)
Dongjiao Yelin lies east of Wencheng Town, across the Qinglan Bridge, in the coastal town of Dongjiao — known as "coconut town" and forested mainly with coconut trees. The plantation area is home mostly to farmers and fishers and is fairly unaffected by tourism; it is among the quietest places of its kind you could see in Hainan, and tourism-related annoyances are almost unheard of here. It suits travellers who want a beach setting and silence rather than services.
Facilities are thin: there are some very basic grocery stores and one quite primitive internet cafe, and you may need to take a bus roughly 10 km to Dongjiao Town for more choice on food and groceries. Most hotels are located around Prima Resort, and a bus runs back and forth between the resort and Dongjiao Town, which makes that the easiest place to start looking for a room.
3. Longlou
Longlou is the base to consider if you want to explore Tonggu Ridge. It is a coastal town in the northeast of the municipality, and the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center is located in Wenchang, making this side of the city the practical choice for anyone whose trip is built around the spaceport or the northern coast.
4. Puqian
Puqian is a coastal town in the northern part of Wenchang, on the eastern shore of Dongzhai Harbor. Its old street is described as unrestored and dilapidated, in contrast to the restored tong lau of Wennan Old Street in the downtown. It suits travellers who prefer a working coastal town and harbour setting to a developed resort area.
5. Wengtian
Wengtian is a coastal town in the northeast, with two ports, Baohu Port and Hulu Port. It is a long way from the downtown — the sources put it 53 km from Wencheng Town — so treat it as a base only if the northeastern coast and its ports are your priority, and plan around the travel time.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: The most basic rooms, typically with a private toilet, hot water and air conditioning, are widely available in the downtown; many of them do not offer an internet connection.
- Mid-range: Better rooms in the downtown sit in a higher bracket than the basic category, and in quieter areas such as Dongjiao Yelin extended stays can attract discounts because there are not many travellers.
- Splurge: The higher end of what the sources describe is found in the Dongjiao Yelin area, where places sit within the coconut plantations directly at the sea and some rooms have a direct view over the shore.
Best area for a first visit
Stay in the downtown of Wenchang for a first visit. It is the busiest area, with the most restaurants, shops and local night life, and most hotels are concentrated along Wenjiang Lu and Dongfeng Lu, so you have the widest choice without committing to a quiet area. Wennan Old Street is right in the heart of town, and from here you can reach the coconut coast and the other towns on day trips.
Frequently asked questions
Where do most visitors choose to stay in Wenchang?
Most people choose the downtown of Wenchang or Dongjiao Yelin, the coconut plantation area. Staying in Longlou is also possible if you want to explore Tonggu Ridge.
Is Dongjiao Yelin a good base if I want restaurants and shops nearby?
Not really. Dongjiao Yelin has only some very basic grocery stores and one quite primitive internet cafe, and you may need to take a bus of around 10 km to Dongjiao Town for more choice on food and groceries.
What can I expect from the most basic hotels in the downtown?
The most basic rooms come with a private toilet, hot water and air conditioning, but most of them do not offer an internet connection.
Should I worry about flooding in the downtown?
The centre of the town is at near sea level, with a canal running between one of the main streets and Wennan Old Street, and this area has been subject to severe flooding a number of times in the past.
Compare live prices for the area you choose with the booking tools on this page before you commit.