Located in the center of Sanya Bay, the less than 3km² Ximaozhou Island (or West Island), is about 8 kilometers southwest of downtown Sanya. Surrounded by the sea on all sides, residents and tourists alike need to use a boat to enter or exit the island.

When you come here you can experience pristine island scenery and quaint fishing customs. Today we will show you some of the attractions worth visiting.

Old Coral House

The waters around West Island are an important part of the Sanya Coral Reef National Nature Reserve. With the area's rich coral reef resources, it’s little wonder that many of the island’s old houses are built from coral.

(Photo: Hinews / Tan Qi)

These old coral houses, are a "living fossil" of the development of tropical island architecture and southern Chinese history. In the old days, when transportation was difficult, islanders used local materials such as coral stones to build their houses. Light and full of little holes, houses built with coral are well ventilated in winter and cool in summer. They also resist the ocean's humidity like a living, breathing animal.

In 2017, when West Island began to rebrand itself as a “Beautiful Rural Village,” some of the old coral houses were transformed into museums that both provide sightseeing services to tourists and allow the old buildings to be fully utilized and protected.

(Photo: Hinews / Li Hao)

Bookstore on a Boat

In 2017, this floating bookstore (which was converted from three abandoned fishing boats) permanently docked at West Island. Featuring all kinds of books, it became the island's first public library. Residents and tourists visiting the island can utilize it free of charge.

(Photo: Hinews / Li Hao)

The cabin of the small fishing boat is filled with books and the large iron basins that used to be used to load and unload fish are also filled with books. Decorations are made from various waste materials. Being in such a small and quiet reading space, makes people want to pick up a book and read leisurely.

(Photo: Hinews / Li Hao)

Island boardwalk

On West Island’s ‘ring road,’ it feels like being half in the mountains and half in the sea. The boardwalk along the mountainside is 1.8km long.

Strolling along the boardwalk, one can encounter picturesque sights such as Niuwang Ridge and panoramic views of Sanya Bay.