Plage de la Ceinture de jade

Jade Belt Beach, in the town of Boao in neighboring Qionghai within easy reach of Haikou, is a long, narrow sand peninsula at the point where three rivers meet the open South China Sea. Celebrated for the striking contrast between the calm river waters on one side and the crashing surf of the sea on the other, it is one of the most unusual coastal landscapes on Hainan. For travelers willing to make a day trip out of the city, it is a rewarding and photogenic destination.

The beach takes its name from its form, a thin ribbon of sand stretched between the river estuary and the ocean, like a jade belt laid across the water. Standing on this narrow strip, visitors can look inland toward the confluence of the Wanquan, Longgun, and Jiulong rivers and out to the open South China Sea, a rare geography where fresh and salt water meet in full view of one another. The sense of standing at the edge of things, with calm on one hand and surf on the other, gives the place a drama that few beaches can match.

A visit usually involves a boat trip out to the sandbar followed by time on the beach itself, so allow a half-day or more, including travel from Haikou. Sun protection, water, and a swimsuit are worth bringing, as there is little shade and the sun is strong on the open sand. Mornings and weekdays are quieter, while weekends and holidays draw more visitors, and the shoulder seasons offer the most comfortable weather.

Jade Belt Beach sits in the Boao area of Qionghai, well outside Haikou itself, so it is best treated as a dedicated day trip that can be combined with other sights in the Boao region, such as the Boao Forum site and the surrounding river landscapes. For travelers drawn to unusual coastal geography and willing to venture a little farther afield, it is one of the most distinctive beach experiences on Hainan and a memorable change from the city's own shores.