Take a day off from your busy life and go on a road trip to Chengmai County to explore the beauty of Hainan's countryside!

Located in the northwestern part of Hainan Island, nearby Haikou, Chengmai County was the first place in China to be recognized as a "World Longevity Area" by the UN.

The county has a mild, pleasant climate, many interesting places to visit, and good ecological environment, with a vast forest covering 54% of the county. It also features a large, concentrated area of selenium-rich soil (almost 0.44 mg/kg). Selenium is a mineral that supports cognition, immune system function, and fertility, and has been linked to longevity.

Chengmai has a rich heritage of local folk culture and customs that have been passed down over thousands of years, and just waiting to be discovered.

Meilang Twin Towers

Located in Meilang Village, the Meilang Twin Towers are 800 years old, with many of them rated the most elegant ancient buildings in the province. These towers are not only protected as a national key cultural heritage site, but also play an important role in illustrating the history of Buddhism on the island.

Dubbed the "sister towers", the ‘big sister' is hexagonal and seven stories high, while the ‘little sister’ is rectangular and seven stories high. The sisters stand facing each other in the middle of a pond, which is fed by three natural springs that have never dried up.

Damei Village

Damei Village, which was built along the water, is a traditional village in Chengmai County. It also boasts the only large, well-preserved Ming Dynasty buildings in Hainan.

There are more than 200 ancient volcanic stone houses in the village, which sit in rows along the stone roads. The exquisite craftmanship of the original builders can still be seen in these long-lasting, neatly constructed homes.

Damei Village is the hometown of the incorruptible official Wang Zanxiang. In order to commemorate and praise his character, the locals built the Wang Clan Ancestral Hall and put up a stone stele.

Red Ridge Pottery Art Garden

Located in Qiaotou Town, Chengmai County, the soil of Red Ridge Pottery Art Garden contains a large amount of volcanic rock enriched clay, and the large kiln there is well known for the many excellent pieces of pottery that have been fired inside over the years. The garden is filled with a wide variety of tropical plants, palm trees and works of pottery art, making it a pleasant place to take a stroll.

Here, you can learn about how to work with clay and even make your very own work of pottery, which will be fired in the traditional kiln, combining traditional Chinese culture with modern art.

Leigong Peninsula

Located in Qiaotou Town, Chengmai County, Leigong Peninsula is a small spit of land that looks out onto the ocean.

This peninsula was formed when hot magma flowed out of the nearby volcano and met the sea, and has been shaped by the continued action of the waves ever since, creating unique patterns and shapes in the rocks. The rocky coastline, which measures tens of kilometers long, is a masterpiece of nature.

In the evening, Leigong Peninsula becomes even more appealing to the eye as the sun begins to set. Sitting by the sea, you can watch as the sun slowly dips beneath the horizon and enjoy the peaceful quiet that descends at the end of each day.

Don't forget to try some tasty local food on your trip! Be sure to get a bite of the popular Qiaotou sweet potatoes, which have an addictive flavor and texture. Don't wait another moment, make your travel plans to explore the hidden wonders and satisfying cuisine of Chengmai county with your friends and family today!

Photos: Haikou Strategy WeChat account and Hainan Daily