Inside Old Nanyang Cafe: A Hidden Gem of Hainan’s Coffee Culture

Nestled beneath swaying purple curtains and filtered sunlight through carved green windows, the Old Nanyang Cafe in Hainan doesn’t just serve coffee — it immerses you in the story of generations who left for the South Seas. While sipping your drink, you're surrounded by the vivid colors and layered textures of Southeast Asia, all while flipping through a menu that tells the tale of Hainanese migration. This is more than a café; it’s cultural storytelling over coffee.

The Old Nanyang Cafe, a sister location to the acclaimed Bo’ao Old House Cafe, opened in early 2024 as a major new tourism highlight in Qionghai. Its bold Southeast Asian design, heritage-focused menu, and strategic location at the crossroads of Hainan’s scenic and cultural routes make it a must-visit destination for coffee lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

A Cultural Landmark in the Heart of Hainan

The reception area of Old Nanyang Cafe lies at the intersection of Zhongyuan’s Eighteen Slope Highway, tucked among lush betel nut groves. The striking architecture features red and green buildings with a gleaming golden upper floor — an eye-catching welcome. Step inside and you’re met with a soaring, painted glass ceiling, gilded columns, antique wooden furnishings, and that unforgettable mix of purple drapes and green lattice windows. Designer Wang Min explains that the space embodies the rich overseas Chinese and Nanyang (Southeast Asia) heritage of not just Zhongyuan Town, but all of Qionghai. The aesthetic here is bolder and more expressive than typical Nanyang designs, balancing vibrancy with understated elegance.

Why Zhongyuan? The Town Behind the Cafe

Choosing Zhongyuan as the site for Old Nanyang Cafe wasn’t random. The town carries deep historical ties to the Hainanese diaspora. Both the Zhongyuan Style Town and the cafe itself focus on themes of “seeing the mountains, the water, and remembering home” — a concept tied to cultural memory and belonging. The location also sits at the entrance of Qionghai’s Eighteen Slope Highway, a key gateway for showcasing the region. Alongside future plans for a clock tower and tourist service center, the cafe adds to Qionghai’s growing reputation as a model of countryside tourism and urban design.

Menu as Museum: Coffee with Context

Unlike conventional cafes that highlight food photography, Old Nanyang Cafe’s menu is a visual and narrative journey. It uses vintage photos and text to chronicle the history of Hainanese who ventured to Southeast Asia for work. It’s a cafe menu that doubles as an informal museum exhibit — one that connects the present cup of coffee to a legacy of migration and resilience.

The Location: Coffee, Culture, and Cycling Trails

The cafe also marks the start of Qionghai’s demonstration greenway. Cyclists and pedestrians can ride from here through the vibrant colors of the Zhongyuan Nanyang Style Town, the gentle charm of Wanshui Water Town, the historic depth of Tayang Ancient Town, and finally arrive at Bo’ao’s paradise-like vibe. It’s a curated route that lets visitors experience Qionghai’s diverse “New Year” atmosphere, with Old Nanyang Cafe serving as both a literal and symbolic starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Old Nanyang Cafe?

Old Nanyang Cafe is a Hainan-based coffeehouse in Zhongyuan Town, designed with strong Southeast Asian (Nanyang) cultural influences. It combines heritage architecture, migrant history, and coffee culture, and is a sister venue to the well-known Bo’ao Old House Cafe.

Where is Old Nanyang Cafe located?

The cafe is situated at the Eighteen Slope Highway intersection in Zhongyuan Town, Qionghai, surrounded by betel nut plantations. It's near key tourism routes including the Qionghai Greenway and future attractions like a planned clock tower.

What makes the cafe’s interior design unique?

Old Nanyang Cafe features bold Southeast Asian colors — including purple curtains, green latticed windows, gilded pillars, and antique wooden furniture — all blending into a harmoniously vibrant aesthetic. The high painted glass ceiling and curated decor reflect a distinctive interpretation of Nanyang style, emphasizing both exuberance and refinement.

How does the menu differ from other coffee shops?

Instead of standard food imagery, the cafe’s menu uses historical photographs and narratives about Hainanese migration to Southeast Asia. It serves as a storytelling tool, connecting the act of drinking coffee to the broader cultural history of the region.

Is Old Nanyang Cafe part of a larger tourism initiative?

Yes. It’s a key project in Qionghai’s 2024 tourism push, complementing nearby sites like the planned clock tower and tourist service centers. The location also serves as the start of the Qionghai Greenway, linking various cultural towns along a curated cycling and walking route.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Nanyang-Inspired Coffee

Pair your visit to Old Nanyang Cafe with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for bright floral and citrus notes, or Brazil Queen Manor for a nutty, chocolatey espresso base. For something fruit-forward, try Kenya Little Tomato, which offers tart berry acidity and winey sweetness — all beans that resonate with the vibrant, layered profile of Nanyang-style coffee culture. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.