The beautiful Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway. [Photo/IC]

Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway, a national scenic road for island explorers, has become a new attraction in China. With 988 kilometers in length, it stretches through 12 coastal cities and counties around the whole island, looking like a pearl necklace sparkling from a bird’s-eye view.

The coastal highway features a diverse range of landscapes, including crystal-clear tropical beaches and shores, unique natural scenic spots and well-known modern resorts.

Four travel routes with different features and themes:

★ An island cultural tour: enjoy the historical buildings, local delicacies and folk arts

★ A marine sports tour: indulge in the idyllic beaches and exhilarating water sports

★ A nature exploration tour: dive into the breathtaking sunset and dazzling ethnic charm

★ A volcanic fishing pot tour: explore the spectacular volcanic landscapes and unique fishing villages

Nanyang-style arcade building in Haikou, Hainan province. [Photo/VCG]

Tourists enjoy seaside activities at Shenzhou Peninsula in Wanning, Hainan province. [Photo/IC]

Supporting service facilities alongside the road:

★ Viewing platforms

★ Open-air parking lots and curbside parking strips

★ Charging stations and new energy refueling stations

★ Public restrooms

★ Smart stations: multifunctional public service complex providing public restrooms, vending machines and shared power banks

★ Integrated tourism service resorts: Dan’er Radiance Resort and Volcanic Coast Resort in Danzhou, Younger Higher Guesthouse and Resort in Dedong, Luhui Donghai Station, Tianya Haijiao Station and Sanya Dongtian Station in Sanya

Tips for the road trip:

★ Best time to travel: from October to March

★ Transport: sightseeing bus, self-driving, cycling or motorcycle

★ Accommodation: hotel, B&B or RV park

★ Cuisine: coconut chicken hotpot, Wenchang chicken, Hainan sweet coconut tapioca soup, local seafood

Apps like Meituan, Ele.me, two well-known food delivery platforms in China or Dianping — the Chinese version of Yelp — can be used to search for location and reviews of local restaurants.

Two ways to obtain detailed information online:

★ Self-driving travel guide (version 1.0) e-book

★ VERY COOL HAINAN — an applet of WeChat