Zoë Sheng

Chinese-Canadian - 24-Oct-20 -

Disclaimer: this is a review for a now 20 year old tentative listing which will by all accounts be withdrawn or rewritten and probably best forgotten. The current document does not really explain well what to look out for at these scenic spots and sound a bit like a tourism ad ("best scenes in the country" say what?!). The beaches aren't bad but the water isn't as clean as you might expect if you have been to Thailand or the Caribbean, or maybe it is exactly what you expect from a beach in China?! I visited Haitan Wan (bay) which is the most touristy of them all. Touristy also means the food is generally overpriced although accommodation isn't too bad. With the geology aspect totally irrelevant and the beaches ordinary it's more of a tourist trap than any potential WHS. One would think the place is wonderful but compared to Sanya it lacks calm of the South China Sea. The island points right towards Taiwan (closest point to the Taiwan mainland from the PRC) and the Taiwan strait is windy as heck. If you are into kitesurfing you may want to come here though. That's all I will write for now until this listing is renewed with better info of what unique criteria Haitan is expected to be inscribed for. 

Jusy FYI there is an airport bus from Changle (Fuzhou) airport directly to the island, several buses from Fuzhou and even a bus from Fuqing train station which will take you further to Quanzhou and Xiamen.