Dongjiao Coconut Forest area (Dongjiao Yelin) is a famous place to enjoy seafood on the east coast of Hainan Island, made even more special by the characteristic coconut trees that fill the area. Dongjiao Township is on Qinglan Harbor near Wenchang City.

Local peasants offer up their seafood delicacies and coconuts with pride, claiming that coconut juice has rejeuvenating properties. The locals are very adept at harvesting the coconuts and are able to climb the towering coconut trees with their bare hands.

The local people say, “Wenchang produces half of the coconuts in Hainan while Dongjiao produces half of the coconuts in Wenchang.” Over 500,000 coconut trees of many different varieties grow in Dongjiao. With its thick and flourishing trees, beautiful scenery and clean water, it is a natural swimming spot, suitable for different kinds of a beach sports and maritime activities. Among other attractions and facilities are the Coconut Park, a tourist quay, and a couple of seaside holiday resorts and seafood restaurants. The shallow water along the coast produces precious aquatic products including lobsters, prawns, rockfishes and abalones. The charm of Dongjiao Coconut Plantation lies in its tropical coconut culture.

How to get there: With Dongjiao's close proximity to Wenchang, the area is a convenient day trip's distance from Haikou. Buses to Wenchang are available from Haikou's long distance bus station with five departures daily from 10am to 4pm.