From December 6 to 10, 2018, our firm organized a trip to Hainan Island. Here are my first impressions of various attractions as a first-time visitor to Hainan:

　　Surveying the World, Standing Out—Impression of Boao

The first stop of this trip was the site of the Boao Forum for Asia. Due to time constraints, we only visited the Boao Forum for Asia founding venue and took photos. Afterwards, we headed to Yudai Beach, where the Wanquan River, Jiuqu River, and Longgun River converge into the sea on one side, while the turbulent waves of the South Sea crash on the other. The slender, elongated Yudai Beach lies quietly between them, making you marvel at nature’s craftsmanship. A narrow, long stretch of sand, enduring the erosion of river and sea for millennia, steadfastly rests between the two—isn’t that a miracle?

　Sacred Realm, Dividing North and South—Fenzhou Island

Continuing south along the eastern route of the island, we arrived at the country's first island-type national 5A-level scenic spot—Fenzhou Island. The beautiful Fenzhou Island serves as the climatic dividing line between northern and southern Hainan, an important cultural boundary between the minority regions of the Li, Miao, and Hui peoples and the Han region in Hainan, a natural geographical demarcation between southern and northern Hainan, and a "spiritual dividing line" for adjusting one's mood and reflecting on life. The island also offers numerous water sports activities and is an excellent destination for diving in China. Moreover, it boasts unparalleled vows of eternal love and hosts romantic island weddings.

　　South of the border, the Buddhist sacred site—Nanshan Temple

The first stop after arriving in Sanya is Nanshan Temple. The first thing you see is the Non-duality Gate, a gate styled after the Northern and Southern Dynasties that gives a sense of purity and solemnity. Entering the park, you can see the temple's treasure—the Guanyin of the South Sea. This 108-meter-high world's tallest outdoor Guanyin statue is designed as a three-faced unity, with one face holding a lotus, another holding a golden scripture, and the third holding a string of prayer beads, symbolizing peace, wisdom, and compassion respectively. The temple complex includes the Hall of Benevolent Kings and the Mahavira Hall, built along the mountain terrain in a staggered, solemn, and tranquil layout.

　　The Ends of the Earth, a mere name—Tianya Haijiao

Tianya Haijiao, a symbol of love, is a must-visit for all tourists. Entering the park, you find a stretch of beach with many uniquely shaped rocks standing on the shore, the most famous being two large boulders inscribed with "Tianya" and "Haijiao." However, aside from these, the scenic area has little else to offer, which can be disappointing.

　　Heavenly Wonderland, Tropical Paradise—Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park

The weather was uncooperative, with light rain throughout the entire third day, but it didn't dampen our enthusiasm for sightseeing at all. After checking tickets and entering the scenic area, we were shuttled by battery cars the whole way. Riding in the car, facing the wind, winding up the mountain, and watching the scenery outside, it felt wonderful—a panoramic view of Yalong Bay unfolded before us. This place gained fame as a filming location for *If You Are the One 2*, and it truly lives up to its reputation.

　　Tropical plants, a key research base—Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden

The last stop of the trip was Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden. Shortly after entering, a sudden downpour hit. We hurried through the garden, but tasting the garden's self-produced cocoa and coffee left a deep impression, making us reluctant to leave.

At 8:15 a.m. on December 10, 2018, the return flight landed at Bao'an Airport 10 minutes early. This trip officially ended, and we had to dive back into intense work. This is just a record of my first impressions of Hainan to commemorate this journey.

曾 杰

December 12, 2018