1. Black-Faced Spoonbill Bird Watching

Black-Faced Spoonbills are now only found in East and Southeast Asia. These bright white birds have black beaks and legs, as well as black faces. The sharply contrasting colors make this a truly striking bird. Because of their graceful and elegant movements, they are known as “Black Faced Angels”. These birds are quite rare and endangered, and there are now only 2-3,000 of them in the whole world. They are a class 2 protected species in China. The Spoonbills migrate south to spend their winters in Hainan’s mangrove forests, where they attract many birdwatchers.

2. Wuzhishan Red Leaves

It still feels like Fall in December in Hainan, and temperatures in the central mountain region average around 17° C. At this time, the Wushishan sweetgum leaves turn red, turning the slopes into a sea of bright crimson. The local Li have a close relationship with these sweetgum trees, which are traditionally used by the Li people to dye cloth for use in the Li Brocades. The Miao people also use the red leaves to dye rice to make their traditional “Three Color Rice” dish. During this season, visitors to Wuzhishan can not only enjoy the breathtaking scenery, but also learn about the traditional way of life of the local Li and Miao minority people.

3. Hainan International Tourism Island Carnival

This year’s Hainan Carnival is jam packed with exciting events! The Carnival will kick off on Nov. 18 in Haikou, and the closing ceremony will be in Sanya Dec. 30. In between, tons of events will be held all over Hainan Island, with Haikou and Sanya serving as the main venues.

The Opening Ceremony, a Hainan Carnival Tourism Promotional Event, and a special Hainan Carnival Theatrical Performance will mark the beginning of the Hainan Carnival in Haikou. This year marks the 18th Hainan Carnival, and the main events for 2017 are:

(1)  Opening Ceremony - Haikou

(2)  Two major International Tourism Expos: the 2nd Hainan World Leisure Tourism Expo and the 3rd Hainan International Tourism Food Festival

(3)  Two tourism business exchange activities: the 1st Hainan, Hong Kong, and Macao Tourism Business Convention and the Dynamic Macao Business & Trade Fair – Haikou, Hainan

(4)  The 3rd Haikou Blue International Electronic Music Festival

(5)  Closing Ceremony - Sanya

4. Wanning International Surfing Festival

The unique geography of Wanning’s Riyue Bay makes it the best surf beach on the island. Every winter surfers head south for the International Surfing Competition, and the great waves keep rolling in all season long. Surf and beach lovers won’t want to miss this great international surf party.

The competition includes the World Men’s and Women’s Longboard Pro Surfing Championship, the Asian Cup, and the China Surfing Competition (Wanning) Finals. During the competition period, there are also surfing lessons, beach yoga sessions, outdoor exploration expeditions, and small musical shows. The 3rd International Surf City Development Forum will also be held on Dec. 4th, strengthening world surf cultural exchange and actively promoting the development of surfing in China, as well as advancing the development of Wanning’s tourism economy.