Visit Wenchang During Hainan Volleyball Association League

The 2023 "Ninety-Nine Cup" Hainan (Wenchang) Township Volleyball Association (VA) League kicked off on June 30 in Wenchang's Longlou "Space" Town. In the host town, there'll be games to watch, food worthy of the most conspicuous foodies, and breathtaking scenery to take in. Want to soak up the sun and a local sporting tradition? Then head on down to Wenchang - a eastern costal city of China's southermost province Hainan - this summer!

Where to watch:

The Hainan Township VA League is divided into two stages. The group stage will be held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening from June 30 to July 30, starting in Longlou, then moving in succession to the townships of Huiwen, Fengpo, Puqian, and Tanniu over the following weekends.

In addition to the excitement of volleyball matches, Wenchang also has a wealth of beautiful scenery and delicacies waiting for you to feast on. Let's see what Hainan's spiritual home of volleyball has to offer.

What to eat:

01. Wenchang Chicken

Succulent Wenchang Chicken

A simply cooked dish supplemented with simple condiments, Wenchang Chicken is the ancestor of the world-famous Hainan Chicken Rice. Once dipped into a blend of minced ginger and garlic, light soy sauce and coriander, the first bite unveils the tenderness and chewiness of its flesh and juiciness of its skin. Calamansi lime juice and yellow lantern chili sauce are often added to the dip for an added sour and spicy kick.

02. Zaopocu

Zaopocu. (Photo: Li Jiafei / Hainan Daily)

Zaopocu(糟粕醋), a soupy dish made from vinasse (a vinegar byproduct of the brewing process), is a quintessential Wenchang snack reminiscent of tom yum soup. The acidity of the dish whets and increases one's appetite. Its spiciness, on the other hand, enhances the taste and eliminates greasiness.

03. Baoluo Rice Noodles

Wenchang Baoluo Rice Noodles (Photo: Hainan Daily / Feng Shuo)

On the face of it, a bowl of Baoluo Rice Noodles seems a simple thing, but there is a very specific list of ingredients required to make an authentic version of this dish, including Chinese sauerkraut, chopped green onion, crispy, crushed peanuts, crushed sesame seeds, beef jerky, and cooked soy sauce marinade. Make sure to mix them up before scooping up a bite between your chopsticks. 

What to see:

01. Gaolong Bay

Facing the vast South China Sea, the waters of the famed Gaolong Bay are clear and temperate and its sands white. Lined with coconut groves, the coastal scenery here is resplendent, and it feels like spring all year round. Best of all, access to Gaolong Bay is free, so what are you waiting for?

02. Mulan Bay

At the eastern end of Mulan Bay sits Hainan Cape, upon which sits a lighthouse－Asia's tallest－that towers 97.2 meters above the Qiongzhou Strait. To the west of the cape is the bay's most distinctive feature, a scattering of strange-shaped boulders－some smooth, some craggy, some seemingly floating, each unique－amid the silver-white sands. to the east of the cape lies a stretch of sandy beach opening out onto clear waters, making Mulan Bay a perfect place for a sunbathe or a paddle.

03. Moon Bay

Moon Bay is a huge, crescent-shaped bay stretching for more than ten kilometers. Here, white waves rush onto the silver sandy beach with a pleasing frequency. Looking out over the stunningly blue sea and sky here, the distinction between them blurs.

04. Qishui Bay

Qishui Bay, Wenchang's most beautifully preserved, winds along the coast in a way that makes it impossible to see from end to end. The bay boasts crystalline waters and white sands as soft as flour, and lichen-adorned boulders can also be found here. Stepping on them with bare feet is like stepping onto a soft carpet.

05. Stone Park

Stone Park, located in Longlou Town, extends two kilometers along the coast at the base of Tongguling and is Hainan's easternmost point. Initially formed by the earth's crust folding and deforming tens of thousands of years ago, this stony coastal outcrop has been carved and weathered over the millennia by the tides and winds.

06. Dongjiao Coconut Plantation

Dongjiao Coconut Plantation is located on the coast of Dongjiao Town. As the name suggests, this stretch boasts sprawling coconut trees (in addition to betel nut trees.) The popular scenic spot is the quintessence of coconut-abundant tropical scenery and draws in visitors with its coconut-based cuisine and drinks, as well as the freshest seafood. Picture this: getting up in the morning and partaking of the sweetest and freshest coconut juice, before taking a walk among the coconut groves and heading down to the beach in the afternoon. All this can be yours to enjoy at Dongjiao Coconut Plantation.

Photos: People's Daily Online Hainan Channel, Wenchang Integrated Media Center, Wenchang Release, Wenchang Tourism Bureau, Hinews.