Things to do in Danzhou

This trip to Ocean Flower Island exceeded my expectations! The island's architecture is very unique, the aquarium allows for close-up viewing of various marine life, and the small animal exhibit offers interactive experiences, which is especially fun. The park is clean, with many photo spots, making it perfect for strolling or taking pictures. There are plenty of activities to enjoy, making it a relaxing place to explore at a leisurely pace. The service was also excellent, making it a great place for a relaxing vacation. I highly recommend it! Lin Jiangan provided warm and welcoming service.

For those who admire Su Dongpo, the primary purpose of visiting Danzhou is to see the Guanglang Temple and the academy. Online searches failed to resolve the question of where to stay. Public transportation in Hainan seems infrequent, and waiting times could be long. After arriving at Baimajing High-Speed ​​Railway Station, I hastily found accommodation on Haihua Island. That evening, I pondered whether to drag my suitcase to the academy the next day, but I actually wanted to stay overnight near the Guanglang Temple to experience the feeling of the desolate state Su Dongpo described. I got up early, quickly ate breakfast, and took a taxi. Using a taxi coupon, the trip to the academy cost less than ten yuan. Now, I'll share my experience with those considering staying there. There are accommodations available. From the front or back gates of the academy, it's a five-minute walk to guesthouses or inns in town; you can see the signs for guesthouses at the scenic area entrance. A combined ticket for Guanglang Temple and the academy includes a free shuttle bus, running approximately every half hour. Guanglang Temple has a Dongpo Pavilion, which is worth spending considerable time exploring. After finishing my visit, I didn't take the sightseeing bus back to the academy because I wanted to see the well he dug himself in the northwest corner behind Su Dongpo's house. It's very close; just turn right after exiting the scenic area, and you don't even need to go onto the main road—it's only about a hundred meters. Then, turn back a few steps and walk directly through the alley to the town. Along the way, I heard the voices of local people and the sounds of chickens, ducks, and birds. Looking at the white clouds in the sky, walking on the slightly bumpy road, and smelling the fragrance of rice wafting in the wind, I thought that these must have been the same clouds and winds that Su Dongpo experienced back then. Perhaps even his footprints have overlapped. Touching the ancient well wall, who says it can't connect with certain moments from over nine hundred years ago? The places Su Dongpo visited brought so many people closer together; wherever he went, no one dared to underestimate him. Just like a cleaner at the academy said today, he benefited the people of Danzhou. In the town government compound, you can even imagine them playing chess. The fragrance of rice is all thanks to him; the wind carries the scent of rice blossoms in all directions. I entered the park before 9:30 AM and left at 5:00 PM, which at least lessened my regret about not staying overnight. The last bus, number 13, departed promptly at 5:30 PM, taking me back to Chongqing city. The journey took an hour and a half, mostly just sightseeing. The current transportation situation makes me think back to when he came here, feeling like he was facing certain death or even dying somewhere he wouldn't return. Anyway, locals in Danzhou say that tourists don't go to Danzhou city proper. If you still can't find hotels or guesthouses near the academy online, you can go there without worry. Or you can take a taxi early, explore thoroughly, and then take the bus back slowly, which is also a good option. You absolutely must visit the town behind his house and experience the alleyways of Sichuan.

I love beluga whales, but this should be the last time I see an animal show. The first exhibit upon entering was the polar bear enclosure. It looked so pitiful; the bears were constantly panting. Yesterday, it felt like 37 degrees Celsius in Hainan, and I was almost fainting from the heat. Elena seemed incredibly hot, constantly pacing back and forth behind the bars—a stereotypical behavior. At such a low latitude, there shouldn't be a polar bear exhibit. There were many other exhibits. I even fed the otters. Some animals, like the raccoons, had very little space, but I know that's how most aquariums are. I usually go to aquariums, but this time I spent a long time in the beluga whale exhibit. The two beluga whales kept swimming in circles, and I watched them for a long time. The trainers seemed to have a good relationship with the whales, and the staff were all very nice. But after I got home, I watched a documentary about whale trainer Shao Ran and learned the story behind how these animals are transported to aquariums. I cried for a long time. There are many aquariums in China, and many parents bring their children, including me. But I was thinking about how the aquariums could make money. Yesterday, I even bought some beluga whale souvenirs, thinking the animals would get food too. But I think I was wrong. Because I don't know if, when a beluga whale circles and floats in its tiny tank in front of me, performing its show, it's truly smiling, nodding at me, and genuinely happy. In the quiet of the night, do you feel lonely? In that small pool, do you also yearn for the sea, for those places you can never return to… If we can only see them in documentaries in the future, I hope beluga whales can be free, in the vast ocean. Ocean Flower Island is very close to the sea, but they can never go back… I have no power alone, but I hope that fewer and fewer animals will be hunted and kept in zoos, and that more and more people will pay attention to the living conditions of animals in zoos.

It is still a very good scenic spot. You can visit it when you go to Haihua Island. You can also learn about Su Dongpo's life. There are cruise ships in the scenic area, which are not expensive and convenient for the elderly with inconvenient legs and feet. It is very convenient to park and the parking fee is also very cheap.

A truly worthwhile trip to Danzhou! Shihua Water Cave boasts a myriad of stalactites in various shapes and sizes, as well as rare helictites and stone flowers—a delightful surprise at every turn. The cave is cool and pleasant, and the guided tours are engaging, offering both sightseeing and opportunities to learn about geology. With a guided tour leading the way, it's truly an underground art palace—definitely worth the trip!

It's huge. Since it's the off-season, only the Italian Pavilion and the Polar Hot Spring were open, but it already has over 20 kinds of hot springs. The facilities are new and the environment is beautiful. I hope to come back and experience the other four pavilions next time. I'm most looking forward to the Japanese and Thai pavilions; I want to get a spa treatment there.

A fun-filled day at the Water Kingdom. We brought the kids here on the weekend. Lots of fun attractions, a great environment, and very friendly staff. Especially kind was Ms. Tang Dexue, who helped us with our swim rings and gave us small gifts. We were very grateful.

Because some elderly people took the sightseeing bus, and it proved to be worthwhile—a fantastic experience! The guide and driver was a chubby, adorable local girl who knew a great deal about the various plants in the park. The entire park is perfect for walking; the air is incredibly fresh and the variety of plants is amazing, giving you a feeling of being in a forest yet still quite comfortable.

There were a lot of people when we went there. Many people were eating in the rest area of ​​the scenic spot. There were many people selling salt-baked chicken and salt-baked eggs. The parking lot is quite large, but the salt fields can be seen in a few minutes.