Stand on Dongfeng Road in Jiaji Town and the first thing you notice is the statue at number 73: a female soldier cast in bronze, arms raised, watching the traffic go by. It is the landmark people in Qionghai use to give directions, and it sits at a bus stop served by over a dozen routes, which makes it a practical place to start.
Qionghai suits travellers who are already in Hainan and want a day or two away from the beach resorts: a ridge to climb, a river-valley culture park, and a set of sites tied to the Red Detachment of Women. Public transport to the outlying sights is limited, so plan on taxis for the ridge in particular.
This guide covers the sights in and around Jiaji Town, with practical notes on timing and how to combine them, plus a one-day plan if your time is short.
Top things to do in Qionghai
1. Baishi Ridge Scenic Area
Baishi Ridge, also called White Stone Ridge, stands 326 metres above sea level and is the highest land formation in Qionghai. There is an old Buddhist temple near the summit, and the climb is the main reason to come.
Public transport in the area is not very convenient: you would need at least two buses, and the one that actually stops at the site is rather infrequent, so hiring a taxi is probably best. The site is open 08:30–17:30, with the ticket office closing at 16:30; entry is ¥30 off-peak and ¥36 in peak season, and a cable car ticket is ¥45.
2. Red Detachment of Women Memorial Park
This park in Jiaji Town is dedicated to the Red Detachment of Women, a Red Army affiliated detachment of female soldiers who fought the Nationalists during the Chinese Civil War. A small museum sits in the middle of the park, and other sights include a mural and an assortment of disused military equipment.
Entry is free and the park is open 08:00–17:30. It is reachable on bus no. 1 or 21, and it pairs naturally with the Red Detachment of Women statue downtown, which is on the same bus network.
3. Duohe Culture Valley
This cultural park in Yonggan Village, on Xinghai Road in Jiaji Town, aims to educate visitors about the history and culture of the Wanquan River region. Statues of famous figures include Madam Xian, a 6th century female military leader from Guangdong credited with bringing an end to the uprisings that had plagued the island since it became part of the Chinese empire. There is also a small Buddhist temple and a folk museum about the daily lives of local farmers and residents.
It is about 1½ km from Qionghai Railway Station, open 08:00–17:00, and entry is ¥15, which makes it an easy add-on if you are arriving or leaving by train.
4. Coconut Village Battle Site
At the intersection of Bashiling Avenue and County Highway 356 in Jiaji Town, this is the site of the Battle of Coconut Village (1927), the first battle of the Chinese Civil War to take place on Hainan Island. A monument and a small museum stand at the site.
Bus no. 21 serves it, and because it sits on Bashiling Avenue it can be worked into a day that also includes Baishi Ridge.
5. Red Detachment of Women statue
The statue on Dongfeng Road in Jiaji Town represents a member of the Red Detachment of Women. It may not be particularly impressive, since there is a bigger one at the memorial park, but it is probably the most recognizable landmark in downtown Qionghai.
The bus stop near the statue is served by over a dozen bus routes, making this an ideal spot to change buses if you are on your way to somewhere else in the city.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start downtown at the Red Detachment of Women statue on Dongfeng Road, then take bus no. 1 or 21 to the Red Detachment of Women Memorial Park for the museum, mural and military equipment. Both are free or open to walk-up visitors, so the morning costs you little but time.
Afternoon: Take a taxi to Baishi Ridge Scenic Area and climb to the old Buddhist temple near the summit. Aim to arrive well before the 16:30 ticket office closing time, and consider the cable car if you would rather not walk the whole way.
Evening: Head back toward Jiaji Town and finish at Duohe Culture Valley if you have time before its 17:00 close, or simply return to the Dongfeng Road area, where the bus stop makes it easy to move on to the rest of the city.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Qionghai?
Qionghai has a tropical monsoon climate with a pronounced dry season from January to March. Rainfall is heaviest and most frequent from August to October, when typhoons may strike, and May through July is the sunniest time of year.
How do I get to Baishi Ridge Scenic Area without a car?
Public transport in the area is not very convenient. You would need to catch at least two buses, and the one that actually stops at the site is rather infrequent, so hiring a taxi is probably the best option.
What is the local dish to try in Qionghai?
The most famous dish of Qionghai is Kachek Duck.
Which sights can I reach by bus?
The Red Detachment of Women Memorial Park is served by bus no. 1 or 21, and the Coconut Village Battle Site is served by bus no. 21. The bus stop near the Red Detachment of Women statue on Dongfeng Road is served by over a dozen routes, making it a useful place to change buses.
Work out which of these fit your dates, check the weather against the wet and dry seasons, and start mapping your days in Qionghai.