Exploring Hainan’s Native Coffee Culture and History

If you’ve ever wondered where China’s lesser-known coffee culture began, a nine-day road trip through Chengmai—a region just outside Haikou often called the 'city’s backyard garden'—offers more than scenic temples and rural fun. It reveals the heart of Hainan’s homegrown coffee tradition, alongside its historic relics and earthy culinary delights.

Hainan’s native coffee culture centers around Fushan, where the Fushan Coffee Culture Museum documents over a century of local production, while Chengmai’s rural farms offer hands-on experiences like digging up and roasting sweet potatoes fresh from sandy soil.

The Historic Charm of Chengmai’s Twin Towers

Nestled quietly away from the crowds, the Meilang Towers—also known as the 'Sister Towers'—are well-preserved Yuan Dynasty structures dating back to the 14th century. The taller hexagonal Sister Tower stands six stories high at 17 meters, built with a hollow, corridor-style wooden imitation design. Its smaller, square companion rises seven stories to 13 meters, noted for its more delicate form. Surrounded by bamboo groves and the sound of flowing streams, the site offers a peaceful glimpse into centuries-old regional architecture.

A Taste of Rural Hainan: From Farm Food to Sweet Potatoes

At the Zongwangyuan agritainment spot along the Jinma Avenue, visitors—ranging from infants to seniors—enjoyed an old-school countryside meal. The menu featured steamed fish, silky steamed tofu with an egg-like texture, authentic Wenchang chicken, and homegrown vegetables. For the kids, play zones included hammocks and a fishing pond, while adults paddled rafts with children aboard. Later, everyone took part in a quintessential Hainan farm activity: digging up sweet potatoes from sandy soil barehanded, then roasting them in pits dug into the earth, cooked with careful attention to wind direction. The verdict? “So fluffy, so sweet,” many noted. Over 200 pounds of roasted sweet potatoes were bought to take home.

The Birthplace of Hainan Coffee: Fushan

The Fushan Coffee Culture Town is the symbolic home of Hainan’s domestic coffee industry. At its central museum, visitors encounter two coffee trees just outside the entrance and explore six themed exhibition halls. Highlights include the 'Fushan Coffee Development History' and 'Coffee Science Knowledge' exhibits, chronicling how coffee took root in this corner of China. Though the article doesn’t specify when coffee first arrived in Fushan, the region has long been associated with small-scale, locally loved coffee farming and production, setting the stage for Hainan’s unique place in China’s coffee story.

Digging, Roasting, and Eating: Farm Fresh in Chengmai

In Qiaotou, a vast sweet potato farming zone welcomed families to get their hands dirty. With no tools needed, visitors—some as young as five—pulled sweet potatoes straight from sandy soil. Once harvested, farmers guided guests in digging earth pits for roasting, adjusting for wind direction before lighting the fire. After roughly 20 minutes, the sweet potatoes emerged golden and soft, earning praise for their rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The activity wasn’t just about food—it was a full family experience set against Hainan’s tropical backdrops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Chengmai and why is it significant for coffee in China?

Chengmai is a region near Haikou, Hainan, often referred to as the city’s 'backyard garden.' It is significant for Hainan’s native coffee culture because it includes Fushan, a key area linked to the development and local production of Hainan-grown coffee, particularly at the Fushan Coffee Culture Town and its museum.

What can you see at the Fushan Coffee Culture Museum?

The Fushan Coffee Culture Museum features six exhibit areas, including dedicated sections for the history of Fushan coffee and general coffee science. Visitors can see two coffee trees at the entrance and learn about the local development of coffee cultivation in Hainan through historical displays.

What is the story behind the Sister Towers in Chengmai?

The Sister Towers, or Meilang Towers, are well-preserved Yuan Dynasty structures. The taller Sister Tower is hexagonal with six levels, standing 17 meters tall, while the smaller one is square, with seven levels at 13 meters. Both feature a hollow, corridor-style design and are set among serene bamboo groves and streams.

What farm activities are popular in Chengmai?

Popular farm activities in Chengmai include digging sweet potatoes from sandy soil with your hands and roasting them in earth pits. Families also enjoy fishing, rural meals, and playing on hammocks, making it a hands-on cultural and culinary experience.

What kind of food is served at the Zongwangyuan agritainment site?

Zongwangyuan serves traditional Hainanese farm food such as steamed fish, Wenchang chicken, silky steamed tofu resembling egg texture, and homegrown vegetables. The meal is considered simple, fresh, and representative of local flavors.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Hainan-Style Coffee

For those curious about the taste of native Chinese coffee similar to Hainan’s regional offerings, try FrontStreet Coffee’s 2013 Yunnan Typica. This single-origin bean is processed naturally and highlights citrus, berry, and caramel notes with a creamy finish. Alternatively, FrontStreet’s washed Yunnan Arabica from the Baoshan region offers balanced sweetness and mild acidity with a medium roast profile. Both beans reflect the terroir-driven qualities found in China’s small-scale coffee regions and are excellent for exploring native coffee profiles. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.