2-Day Trip to Wenchang: Romantic Rocket Launch Views, Coconut Groves, and Southern Coastal Charm
2 Days and 1 Night in Wenchang for 1500 RMB—Budget Travel That’s Super Fun! Follow My Guide and Get Praised on Social Media!
Friends! Who says only Sanya in Hainan is worth visiting? This time I discovered a hidden gem—a small city called Wenchang! Here you’ll find seafood cheaper than Sanya, more quaint arcade buildings than Haikou, and the most romantic rocket launch viewing spot in all of China! Best of all, two days and one night cost only 1500 RMB per person, with an unbeatable value!
🌟 Itinerary Overview
Suitable for: Students, budget travelers, and those who love off-the-beaten-path spots
Travel style: Leisurely strolls + cultural experiences + food adventures
Budget breakdown: Transportation 400 RMB + Accommodation 300 RMB + Food 500 RMB + Tickets 200 RMB + Others 100 RMB = 1500 RMB
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📅 Day 1: Nanyang Style and Coconut Grove Coastal Charm
Morning: Arrival and First Impressions
· Take the high-speed train directly from Haikou Meilan Airport to Wenchang Station (25 RMB, 20 minutes), saving more than half the cost compared to flying to Sanya!
· Accommodation suggestion: Choose a guesthouse or budget hotel near Wennan Old Street (about 150-250 RMB per night, clean and comfortable)
· Save money: Wenchang city is small, rent an electric scooter for just 50 RMB a day—free and economical
Noon: Authentic Wenchang Chicken First Taste
· Head straight to the popular local spot “Jiying Salt-Baked Chicken”
· Must order: Half salt-baked chicken (60 RMB) + chicken oil rice (5 RMB) + winter melon and sea conch soup (15 RMB)
· Food tip: The chicken is tender and juicy, paired with a secret dipping sauce—perfect for two people
Afternoon: Stroll Wennan Old Street
· Free attraction! The whole street is full of Nanyang arcade building charm, perfect for photos
· Check-in spots: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Pavilion, old post office, handicraft shops
· Hidden gem: Find an old tea house, order a cup of “Dad’s Tea” (8 RMB), and enjoy a leisurely local afternoon
Evening: Head to Yelin Bay for Sunset
· 20 minutes by electric scooter, avoid paid scenic spots, walk deeper into the coconut grove
· Secret viewing spot: Navigate to “Yelin Bay Fisherman’s Home,” with a small path leading to a wild beach nearby
· At sunset, the entire coconut grove glows golden—beautiful like a postcard
Night: Seafood Feast Without Breaking the Bank
· Go to Global Wharf Seafood Market (locals all go here!)
· Choose your seafood: oysters 5 RMB each, shrimp 35 RMB per jin, grouper 40 RMB per jin
· Processing fee: blanch 10 RMB, steam 15 RMB; two people can eat their fill for under 200 RMB
· Money-saving tip: Go after 5 PM when vendors are closing, prices get friendlier
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📅 Day 2: Aerospace Dreams and Bayside Walks
Early Morning: Tongguling Greets the First Light
· Ticket 45 RMB (half price with student ID!), shuttle bus 20 RMB (recommended due to steep mountain roads)
· Popular photo spot: summit sea-view platform, offering panoramic views of Moon Bay and the distant rocket launch pad
· If lucky, morning mist creates a fairyland atmosphere
Morning: Stone Park Wonders
· Free! Free! Free! (Important enough to say thrice)
· Thousands of years of sea-eroded giant rocks, majestic and more impressive than paid attractions
· Safety reminder: Wear non-slip shoes, avoid climbing dangerous rocks, be cautious when waves are strong
Noon: Authentic Baoluo Rice Noodles
· Return to the city for “Wangcheng Baoluo Rice Noodles” (old brand, 15 RMB a big bowl)
· The broth is delicious, noodles smooth, add some yellow lantern chili sauce for an amazing taste!
Afternoon: Aerospace Science Center
· Ticket 80 RMB (worth every penny!)
· See rocket models up close, learn about China’s space history—both awe-inspiring and pride-inducing
· Bonus: If you catch a rocket launch period (check schedule in advance), nearby free viewing spots are packed, atmosphere like New Year’s Eve!
Evening: Sweet Moments Before Departure
· Buy souvenirs: coconut candy, pepper powder, coconut cakes (50 RMB can buy a big bag)
· Take the high-speed train back to Haikou (25 RMB), ending a perfect trip
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💰 Budget Breakdown (Per Person)
· Transportation: round-trip high-speed train 50 + electric scooter 50 + local transport 50 = 150 RMB
· Accommodation: 250 RMB (shared budget double room)
· Food: Day 1 lunch 80 + dinner 100 + Day 2 lunch 15 + snacks 30 = 225 RMB
· Tickets: Tongguling 45 + shuttle 20 + Aerospace Center 80 = 145 RMB
· Others: souvenirs 50 + emergency expenses = 80 RMB
· Total: 850 RMB (even less than the 1500 RMB budget! The leftover can be spent on more luxurious seafood!)
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📌 Handy Tips
1. Best season: October to April next year, avoid rainy season and extreme heat
2. Rocket viewing: launch dates vary, follow the official WeChat of “China Wenchang Space Launch Center”
3. Sun protection: strong UV in Wenchang, sunscreen + hat + sunglasses are must-haves
4. Transportation: attractions outside the city are scattered, carpooling or renting a car is more cost-effective
5. Language: local dialect sounds like Minnan, but Mandarin is fully understood and spoken
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✨ Travel Reflection
During my two days in Wenchang, what I loved most was the unhurried pace of life here. Old dads spend the whole afternoon drinking tea in tea houses, fishermen slowly haul in their nets at dusk, even the sound of waves hitting Stone Park feels calm and composed.
There’s none of Sanya’s noise, none of Haikou’s crowds—just the peaceful coconut breeze and the space dreams accessible to ordinary people. Spending what you’d pay for one seafood meal in Sanya, you get two days in Wenchang, a phone full of beautiful photos, and memories for a lifetime.
If you’re tired of crowded tourist spots and want a coastal town rich in culture and natural beauty that’s also budget-friendly, Wenchang won’t disappoint!
See you in Wenchang for the next rocket launch?
I’m Xiao You, a treasure hunter of hidden gems. Follow me to see the most beautiful sights with the least money! Like and save this guide—you’ll definitely use it!
Other visitors' reviews of Tongguling Scenic Spot
Show More ReviewsFrom the highest peak in Qiongdong, you can overlook the blue sea. The early summer sea breeze is very pleasant on your face. It's best to buy a sightseeing bus ticket for round trips to enjoy the scenery! (Especially the uphill section to the top of the mountain, which is quite tiring).