Exploring Hainan's Native Coffee and Local Culture

If you’ve ever wanted to taste authentic Hainan coffee while exploring ancient temples and digging your own sweet potatoes in the sand, a recent 9-day road trip through Chengmai offers the full experience. This journey blends history, food, and specialty coffee culture into one immersive trip for coffee lovers and culture seekers alike.

Hainan isn’t just beaches—it’s also home to centuries-old architecture, a growing coffee scene centered in Fushan, and unique local traditions like roasted sweet potatoes fresh from sandy soil. Here’s what makes the trip unforgettable.

The Sister Towers: Centuries of History in Stone

Nestled quietly away from the crowds, the Meilang Towers—also known as the Sister Towers—date back to the Yuan Dynasty. Though weathered by time, the structures remain remarkably intact. The hexagonal elder sister tower stands six stories tall at 17 meters, featuring a hollow, columned design. Her younger sister, a square four-story tower at 13 meters, is more delicately formed. Lush bamboo and the sound of running streams add to the serene atmosphere.

Farm Life and Local Flavors at Zhongwang Garden

The next stop was Zhongwang Garden near Jinniu Avenue, a countryside escape where visitors enjoyed fishing, farming, and homemade meals. Families—including those with kids as young as two months and seniors over 60—dined on steamed fish, Wenchang chicken, silky tofu, and garden-fresh vegetables. Children played on hammocks, fished in ponds, and took boat rides, creating a lively, intergenerational holiday scene.

Fushan Coffee Culture: Hainan’s Coffee Heartland

A highlight was the visit to the Fushan Coffee Culture Town, home to Hainan’s well-known coffee region. At the on-site coffee museum, guests explored six exhibition zones, including timelines of Fushan coffee and basic coffee science. Two coffee trees stood at the entrance, setting the stage for learning about the area’s deep-rooted coffee traditions.

Sweet Potato Farming and Roasting in Qiaotou

No trip is complete without hands-on farm fun. In Qiaotou, visitors headed to a vast sweet potato field. Unlike typical root crops, these improved varieties grow in sandy soil—you simply dig by hand, no tools needed. Even five-year-old kids joined in, proudly unearthing their bounty. After harvesting, farmers dug pits based on wind direction and roasted the sweet potatoes over fire for around 20 minutes. The result? Locals and visitors alike raved about the uniquely fluffy, sweet flavor. Over 200 pounds of sweet potatoes were purchased to take home.

A Final Visit to Yongqing Temple

The trip wound down at Yongqing Temple, where evening light added to the temple’s majestic presence. Though not coffee-related, it capped a journey blending natural beauty, heritage, and local gastronomy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Chengmai and why is it called Haikou’s backyard garden?

Chengmai is a district in Hainan Province, China, located near Haikou and known for its rich cultural sites, agricultural land, and emerging coffee production. It's often referred to as Haikou’s backyard garden due to its proximity and lush, relaxed environment.

What is special about Fushan Coffee?

Fushan is one of Hainan’s key coffee-growing regions and home to the Fushan Coffee Culture Town, which includes a museum dedicated to the local coffee industry. While the article doesn’t specify the coffee variety grown there, it highlights the region’s cultural and historical ties to coffee.

How are sweet potatoes grown and roasted in Qiaotou?

In Qiaotou, sweet potatoes are planted in sandy soil, allowing them to be harvested by hand without tools. After digging, the sweet potatoes are roasted in pits dug into the ground, with fire and airflow carefully managed. The process takes about 20 minutes and results in a uniquely soft and sweet flavor.

What can you see at the Meilang Towers?

The Meilang Towers, or Sister Towers, are historic structures from the Yuan Dynasty. The elder sister tower is a six-story hexagon, 17 meters tall, while the younger is a seven-story square, 13 meters in height. Both feature a hollow, columned architectural style and sit in a tranquil, green setting.

Is Hainan known for coffee production?

Yes, especially in regions like Fushan. While Hainan is not one of the world’s major coffee origins, it has a growing local coffee culture and history, particularly in Hainan-native varieties and tourism-oriented coffee experiences.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Yunnan Coffee

To dive deeper into Chinese coffee heritage after visiting Hainan, try FrontStreet’s Yunnan Arabica offerings. The FrontStreet 2013 Yunnan Typica is a sun-dried classic with bold fruit and citrus notes, offering a juicy, vibrant cup that reflects traditional processing. For something cleaner and more balanced, the FrontStreet Yunnan Smallholder Washed uses a washed method to highlight caramel and soft berry tones with a crisp finish. Both beans come from Yunnan’s key coffee-growing regions and offer a true taste of China’s coffee terroir. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.