Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone is located at Sandao Farm, Sandao Town, Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County, Hainan Province, 18 kilometers along the Haiyu Middle Line in the direction from Sanya to Baoting. It is a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction and a National Cultural Industry Demonstration Base. The scenic area covers a total area of 45 square kilometers, surrounded by a 123-square-kilometer ecological restoration protection area. With tropical rainforest as its main body, the scenic area integrates "rainforest culture, Li Dong culture, southern medicine culture, and Chinese zodiac culture," and builds on a main theme of "pristine green ecology." It combines folk customs, sightseeing and entertainment, leisure experiences, and health and wellness. It is a microcosm of Hainan Island's five major tropical rainforests and a museum of tropical rainforest resources with high ornamental value. The scenic area has built multiple landscape areas such as Rainforest Valley, Dream Valley, and Sandao Valley, as well as Rainforest No. 1 Resort Hotel and the "Dream Back to Yanoda" large-scale performance area. It has the most beautiful and largest boardwalk among the world's three major tropical rainforests, China's largest open-air tropical rainforest ecological museum, and Asia's longest rainforest zipline.
History and Culture
In October 2005, the environmental impact report of the Yanoda project was approved by the Hainan Provincial Department of Land, Environment and Resources; in December of the same year, the master plan of the Yanoda Rainforest project was approved by the Baoting County Government. Starting in 2006, Yanoda was designated by the Hainan Provincial Development and Reform Commission as a key construction project in Hainan Province. On July 1, construction of the scenic area officially began. On February 2, 2008, Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone opened for trial operation.
In November 2008, the scenic area passed dual certification for the ISO14001 environmental management system and ISO9001 quality management system. On January 20, 2012, Yanoda Scenic Area was honored as a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction, becoming the third 5A scenic area in Hainan Province after Sanya Nanshan and Sanya Daxiaodongtian. Since then, the scenic area has received many honors, such as being rated as a "China Excellent Tourist Attraction in the Public Service Category" by the China Tourist Attractions Association in January 2019, and being rated as a "National Civilized Unit" by the Central Steering Committee for the Development of Spiritual Civilization in 2020.
In the local Hainan dialect, "Yanoda" means one, two, and three. The scenic area has given it new connotations: "Ya" means innovation, "Nuo" means commitment, and "Da" means putting into practice. It is also interpreted as welcome and hello, expressing friendliness and blessings.
Major Attractions
Zodiac Square
Based on the Classic of Mountains and Seas, it condenses ancient myths and stories and legends related to the twelve Chinese zodiac animals into large rainforest sculptures. With the zodiac animals as guardians, visitors can feel the protection of the gods and their hopes for peace and happiness.
Rainforest Valley
With the display of pristine tropical rainforest landscapes at its core, it brings together many rare plants such as towering giant banyan trees, century-old vines, and the "living fossil" black tree fern. The valley is lush and verdant, blocking out the sky and sun, and is a uniquely endowed "natural oxygen bar," with an average annual temperature of 24°C. The tour route consists of wooden boardwalks, stone steps, and suspension bridges. It is 3.5 kilometers long and divided into large, medium, and small loop routes.
Dream Valley
It is a prime representative of ravine waterfalls in tropical rainforests, with a depth of 1.2 kilometers and a drop of 200 meters. It has Welcome Waterfall, Tianmen Waterfall, Lian'en Waterfall, and other waterfalls at different water levels. The water landscapes are magnificent and colorful, forming a mysterious and dreamy area together with giant trees, strange rocks, and streams.
Sandao Valley
The entire route is about 3 kilometers, the water depth is more than 30 meters, and the river surface is about 30-40 meters wide. The peaks on both sides of the canyon are 270-380 meters above sea level. It is composed of landscapes such as waterfalls, strange rocks, giant trees, dragon pools, and cascading springs. Its peculiar geological structure and rich medicinal material resources are breathtaking.
Wa'ailu Sea-Viewing Platform
It is the best viewing point in the scenic area, offering panoramic views of the Haitang Bay coastline, Wuzhizhou Island, and Monkey Island in the distance, providing a different visual impact.
Wetland
Strolling through it, visitors can feel the fresh coolness. It fully showcases the "green ecological culture" of Hainan's tropical rainforest, and visitors can also enjoy Hainan Bayin (eight-tone music) and a parrot show mini-theater.
Suggested Tour Routes：
You can first take a sightseeing bus up the mountain, experience the glass platform, enjoy famous rainforest landscapes, and then take the sightseeing bus back. If you want to experience outdoor activities, you can choose options such as the zipline, waterfall trekking and stream play, and cliff sea-view swing. For a more leisurely visit, you can go to the Wa'ailu Glass Observation Platform, the Birds and Flowers Experience Area, the Cute Pet Park, etc.
You can also refer to the following detailed route: start from the ticket checkpoint, take the shuttle bus to Cableway Line 1 station, ride Cableway Line 1 for a high-altitude rainforest tour, go to the glass platform to check in at the "Mirror of the Sky," experience the cliff swing, walk along the boardwalk to the zipline station and experience the zipline, go to Rainforest Valley to visit the Path of Happiness, Orchid Stream, Cute Pet Park, and various rainforest wonders, go to Luwayi in the wetland landscape area to enjoy a high-end buffet, take Cableway Line 2 to Sandao Valley, visit landmark buildings such as Sandao High Tower and the suspension bridge, enjoy rainforest scenery such as Sandao Canyon, and finally take the sightseeing bus back down the mountain.
Travel Tips：
Buy tickets or package tickets online in advance to avoid queuing at the site.
Choose to travel when the weather is good; the scenery will be more beautiful, and it will be easier to participate in outdoor activities.
If you want to experience water activities such as waterfall trekking and stream play, bring a change of clothes and a waterproof phone pouch.
There are many mosquitoes in the scenic area, so it is recommended to bring mosquito repellent; also take sun protection measures and bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.
Some sections in the scenic area are steep, so comfortable sports shoes are recommended.
Arrange your time reasonably and choose activities and routes according to your interests and physical strength.
Precautions：
Follow the rules of the scenic area and obey the arrangements and instructions of the staff.
Protect the scenic area's environment, do not litter, and do not damage vegetation.
When participating in activities such as the zipline and waterfall trekking/stream play, strictly follow safety regulations and fasten safety belts and other protective equipment.
If you bring children, take good care of them to prevent danger during the visit.
When driving there, pay attention to traffic safety, and park in designated locations within the scenic area.
Transportation：
Self-driving: 35 kilometers from downtown Sanya, taking about 45 minutes; about 40 minutes from Lingshui.
Bus: Take a bus to the terminus at Baoting Qixianling; the fare is 13 yuan, and the journey takes about 45 minutes.
Taxi/ride-hailing: About 30 minutes from downtown Sanya, costing around 100-200 yuan.
Opening Hours：
Open all year round, daily from 08:30 to 18:00.
Tickets：
105 yuan per person.