Cycling, surfing and sailing highlighted National Day holiday activities in south China’s Hainan Province, where the integration of sports and tourism has injected vitality into the island’s holiday economy.
The Wanning Stage of the 2025 Hainan Island Coastal Scenic Highway Cycling Race began in Xinglong on Oct. 1, attracting more than 600 amateur riders from across the country.
Among them was 20-year-old Luo Jiayu from Hunan Province, who has three years of cycling experience. Luo praised the Wanning section for its smooth roads, scenic views and local cuisine. “This track is fascinating. There are quite a few turns, but the risks are low, so I can really show my skills,” he said. Luo added that nearby attractions such as Shimei Bay and Riyue Bay, along with Xinglong’s Southeast Asian-style food, made the area especially appealing.
Luo planned his holiday around both sport and leisure – cycling along the coastal road near Swallow Cave, surfing at Riyue Bay, and tasting local food in Xinglong – and looked forward to sharing the experience with cycling friends.
At Riyue Bay, surfing has emerged as a popular draw for young travelers. The bay’s sparkling waters, dotted with colorful surfboards, have become a symbol of Hainan’s growing sports tourism. Yunnan tourist Li Zizi, who tried surfing for the first time with her boyfriend, compared the experience to “flying on the sea.” She said she chose Wanning as her first stop in Hainan after hearing from friends that Riyue Bay is a surfing paradise. “I’ll definitely come back,” she said, adding that she hoped to try more advanced surfing in the future.
On Oct. 2, the 2025 “Haikou Cup” Sailing Race set sail in Haikou Bay, with nearly 60 teams and more than 300 athletes showcasing the speed and skill of sailing. The competition was accompanied by a water sports experience zone that opened up sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and jet skiing to citizens and tourists under the guidance of professional coaches. Many visitors experienced these sports for the first time, enjoying the thrill of being on the water.
The event also featured a themed market offering cultural products, sports gear and local delicacies. Organizers said this not only met tourist demand but also turned the sailing brand into a broader driver of cultural and tourism consumption.
Haikou will continue its holiday program with a national kayaking competition. Local officials said the series of events is helping integrate sports, culture, and tourism, turning visitor traffic into consumer spending and adding momentum to Hainan’s efforts to build itself into an international tourism and consumption center.
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