If Islands Could Breathe: Lingshui's Tides, Monkey Calls, and Li Ethnic Ballads

📍 Location and Transportation • Location: Southeastern Hainan Island, bordering the South China Sea to the east, Sanya to the south, and Wanning to the north. • Transportation: ◦ High-speed train: Sanya Station → Lingshui Station (approx. 20 minutes, CNY 15). Take a taxi or bus to the scenic spot from the station. ◦ Self-driving: Lingshui exit on the island ring expressway (G98), connecting the "duty-free shopping + seaside vacation" route of Sanya and Wanning. ◦ Ferry: Sanya Wuzhizhou Island Pier → Boundary Island (30 minutes by speedboat, tickets must be purchased in advance). 🌴 Core Highlights 1. Boundary Island (National 5A Scenic Area) • Features: ◦ Ocean Theater: Dolphin, sea lion, and orca shows (multiple shows daily). ◦ Underwater Walking: 10m-deep glass viewing platform, swim with coral reefs and tropical fish. ◦ Sea Fishing Base: You can charter a boat to go fishing for grouper and green wrasse (recommended for dusk fishing). • Must-do activities: ◦ Cross-sea cable car (overlooking the island and dividing line, with blue waves on one side and silver sand on the other). ◦ Overnight stay at the marine ranch (transparent tent for stargazing, book 1 month in advance). 2. Nanwan Monkey Island (National 4A Scenic Area) • Features: ◦ Macaque Kingdom: The world's largest macaque natural reserve, home to more than 2,000 wild macaques. ◦ Cross-sea ropeway: 2,138m high-altitude ropeway, crossing the Danjia fishing rafts, overlooking the South China Sea. • Interactive experience: ◦ Macaque acrobatics performance (pay attention to safety, do not provoke the monkeys). ◦ Danjia culture experience (visit the fishing village on the sea, learn to make dried fish). 3. Coconut Field Ancient Village (Folk Culture Scenic Area) • Highlights: ◦ Li and Miao Culture: Boat-shaped houses, bamboo pole dance, and Li brocade weaving experience. ◦ Coconut Grove Secret Realm: 10,000 acres of coconut groves + century-old trees, you can make your own coconut candy and coconut carvings. • Must-try delicacies: ◦ Li ethnic three-color rice (hillside rice + natural plant dyeing), fish tea (fermented pickled fish). 4. Daidai Island (Niche Secret Realm) • Features: ◦ White sand beach + colorful fishing boats: Original ecological fishing village, filming location of "Chef Nic". ◦ Sunset Viewing Platform: The boardwalk extends into the sea at low tide, suitable for taking silhouette photos. • How to play: ◦ Rent a fishing boat to go out to sea (about CNY 200/hour) and experience digging for shellfish. 🍽️ Featured Food Recommendations • Lingshui Sour Noodles: Thin rice noodles + dried beef + shredded squid + yellow lantern chili sauce (recommended "Lingshui Sour Noodle King" old shop). • Danjia Fish Hotpot: Wild sea fish simmered slowly over charcoal fire, the rich soup is perfect with white rice. • Three-spot swimming crab: Full of roe and fleshy, steamed or stir-fried with spicy flavor (food stalls near Nanwan Market). • Mango Rice Noodle Roll: Local mango + rice milk rice noodle roll, commonly found in dessert shops. 🏠 Accommodation Recommendations • High-end vacation: ◦ Greentown Blue Bay Resort: First-line sea view room, private beach, constant temperature swimming pool. ◦ Greentown Westin: Infinity pool + high-altitude bar, overlooking Boundary Island. • Cost-effective choice: ◦ Clear Water Bay Holiday Resort: Complete parent-child facilities, 5 minutes walk to the beach. ◦ Daidai Island Homestay: Near the pier, you can see the sea from the window, CNY 150 per person per night. 📝 Practical Guide One-day Essential Route • Morning: Boundary Island (Ocean Theater + Underwater Walking) • Noon: Eat Danjia fish hotpot in Nanwan Town • Afternoon: Coconut Field Ancient Village (Li and Miao cultural experience) → Daidai Island (sunset photography) Two-day In-depth Tour Route • Day 1: Daidai Island sunrise → Monkey Island cross-sea cableway → Nanwan Night Market seafood feast • Day 2: Boundary Island overnight stay → Marine ranch feeding devil fish → Coconut Field Ancient Village night tour ⚠️ Precautions 1. Weather: November to April of the following year is the best, avoid the typhoon season from May to October; 2. Sun protection: Extremely strong ultraviolet rays 3. Folk customs taboos: Do not touch the head or step on the threshold when entering Li and Miao villages; 4. Traffic Tips: Lingshui attractions are scattered, it is recommended to rent a car (electric car is about CNY 80/day) or charter a car. 🌟 Summary Lingshui is the "king of cost performance" for Hainan tourism. It has the marine wonders of Boundary Island, the spiritual interaction of Nanwan Monkey Island, the ethnic customs of Coconut Field Ancient Village, and the original tranquility of Daidai Island. Compared with the crowds in Sanya, it is more suitable for travelers who pursue niche experiences. If you want to explore in depth, it is recommended to stay for 1–2 nights and feel the blue sea and sky and Li and Miao culture at 18° north latitude! 🐒🌊