Quite a few people have visited Hainan and posted a record of their experiences in words and photos on the Internet. They run the gamut, from overseas Chinese to Brits, Americans, and Russians. They reflect some vastly different experiences. Here is a sampling (it's good right to the very bottom).
The granddaddy of all visits to Hainan is Tan Wee Cheng's fascinating chronicle of his trip to his ancestral homeland:
Hainan: The Island of Paradise And Hell - My Own Family Saga
Eastern Hainan: The Vicious Empress And Women Soldiers
Sanya & South of Hainan: Edge Of The World, No More
Wuzhishan: Faux Tribals & Being Politically Incorrect
Wenchang: Chicken Rice In Land of The Revolutionary SistersIn My Very Own Glob {Curiosa Felicitas}, another Overseas Hainanese from Singapore visits his ancestral homeland. Quite amusing in its depiction of the difference between Hainanese in Singapore (the older and younger generations) and modern-day Hainan.
Short the distance: Hainan, Part One
Together the people: Hainan, Part Two
The Xinglong Overseas Chinese Farm: Hainan, Part Three
Village People: Hainan, Part FourA Fruitful Journey in Hainan, The Mythical Village by Patric Chang (Bay Area Family Travel site). Story of a visit to his mother's hometown in Wenchang by a Malaysian Chinese. A nice story on a nicely-done webpage.
A Year Abroad in China The Story of a Young Canadian Flight Attendant. This is not just a simple tourist adventure. Sherry Mallory tells of her experiences working for Hainan Airlines in 2002-2003. (If you have ever flown Hainan Airlines, you may have met one of the 30 Canadian flight attendants working alongside their Chinese colleagues. This is their story).
Three pieces (with photos) from 2007 by JABAROOTOO, an Australian living in Chongqing:
The Subtle Invasion of Paradise (Travel China Guide) An essay about a visit to Sanya at Chinese New Year. A very interesting and detailed picture of what it's like.
Surprised by a Big-Eyed Chicken (Travel China Guide) A further essay about the sights of Sanya. Unlike most visitors, Jabarootoo goes and has a look at the fishing port, with some interesting observations. The Big-Eyed Chicken refers to the eyes on the Hainanese fishing boats.
The Little Light of Lingao Jiao (Travel China Guide). Description of a trip to the "Lingaojiao" (in the northwest of Hainan) specially to see its lighthouse. Well written and interesting.
Bear's page on China's Sanya Leigh Kirkood on his visit to Sanya in December 2003. Leigh is travelling with a Chinese and 'goes with the flow'. Hainan as seen from the point of view of a good-natured, middle-aged Canadian. Has photos and comments. Separate pages on Yalong Bay, Tianya Haijiao, Nanshan Dongtian, Boao, Miao Ethnic Village, Longtou, and Scuba Diving.
Friedman's Road to China: An American teaching English in Beijing comes to Hainan for a break in January 2004 and finds the place extremely and aggressively touristy. Includes visits to the Tianya Haijiao in Sanya and the Maoan Miao Tourist Village. Photos show the less touristy side of Hainan.
World is Round: Trip to Hainan by Song Feifei (December 2004) mostly photos with comments. Covers many of the usual tourist traps, which makes it quite useful.
Judith Farber stayed with a fairly affluent Chinese family in Hainan in November/December 2001and also visited a Hlai (Li) village. This collection of pages includes both her observations on China (fairly superficial, she did not really have time to develop deep insights) and some nice photos of real life in Hainan. Hainan text, photos, Li village visit text, photos, gallery of photos.The Journey for Genevieve The story of Jeff and Julia Bellinger and their trip from the U.S. Midwest to Hainan to adopt a little girl. Also includes some sightseeing and plenty of photos.
Haikou City -- Hainan Province A short-lived (July-August 2004) weblog by Eddie Mills of the International Education Exchange Association. Eddie has over 11 years in Hainan and has a story to preach about what is expected of you if you want to come and teach in China -- which may be why his blog ended up so short!
Stephen and Mr P A joint blog by an American teacher and an American student in Haikou. 'Giving you a funny point of view of the life of two homie's living in Haikou City, Hainan, PRC'. Content is more American than Chinese, but it gives a picture of what a long-term stay is like.
