Hainan: foodie reconnaissance
A large island on the South China Sea, just slightly off China’s southern coast ––– Hainan. Not only is this the geographically southernmost part of the Middle Kingdom, it is also culturally tied to other southerly southern areas of South China: historical links to Fujian …
Realm of Hainan Noodles
Upon stepping on the island, you quickly realize that you have entered the realm of Hainan Rice Noodles, Hǎinán fěn 海南粉. Throw a handful of rice noodles into a bowl, add an assortment of toppings – such as fried peanuts, pieces of meat, chopped scallion, …
Dongshan Ridge 东山岭
I scrambled onto one of the many large boulders tucked on the jungle-overgrown slope to use it as a vantage point. While scoping the hills, I heard some bleats and saw movement in the bushes below me: silhouettes of a goat or two. I quickly …
Hainan: tea vs coffee
China is an empire of tea. You normally don’t associate her with coffee, unlike the neighboring Vietnam. Yet, tucked nearby where these two countries border on the South China Sea, is an island where both Camellia leaves and Coffea beans play a culture-forming role: Hainan. …
Dongjiao Coconut Grove
Sit back and scroll through the photographs I took in the Dongjiao Coconut Grove Scenic Area 东郊椰林风景区 in Weichang on Hainan Island. I explored the grove on a bicycle borrowed from the hostel I was staying in. It turned out to be a great idea. …
Sanya’s Farmers Market
Hainan is blessed with fertile soil bathed in tropical sunbeams and surrounded by generous waters that teem with life. I traveled all around the island, but no other place proved to give the justice to the diveristy of its produce as much as this one. …
The art of peanut oil
From peanut to oil. Take a look at how it is done in a small workshop in Yáchéng town 崖城镇 (ancient Yázhōu 崖州古城) on Hainan Island. …