Cycling Through Chengmai: Coffee, Sweet Potatoes & Ancient Towers

If you’ve ever wondered where to find a coffee adventure that combines ancient architecture, hands-on farming, and local flavors—all in one trip—Chengmai, just south of Haikou, delivers. This nine-day self-drive journey takes you through coffee plantations, thousand-year-old pagodas, and sweet potato fields, offering a rare mix of culture, nature, and specialty coffee rooted in Hainan’s tropical soil.

In short: you’ll taste authentic Hainan-grown coffee, dig your own sweet potatoes from sandy soil, and explore centuries-old twin pagodas—all within a nine-day road trip starting from Haikou’s “back garden,” Chengmai.

The Sister Towers: A Peaceful Historical Detour

Nestled off the beaten path, the Meilang Towers—also known as the Sister Towers—are quiet, lesser-visited relics from the Yuan Dynasty. The taller hexagonal Sister Tower stands six stories high at 17 meters, while the square-shaped younger sister reaches seven stories and 13 meters. Surrounded by bamboo groves and the sound of flowing streams, the site offers a meditative glimpse into centuries-old architecture without the crowds.

Farm Fresh at Zhongwang Garden: Family Fun & Farm-to-Table

Next stop: Zhongwang Garden, a family-friendly agrotourism spot along the Jinma Avenue. With fishing spots, vegetable patches, and open-air dining, it’s a hit with multigenerational travelers. The youngest visitor was just two months old; the oldest, over 60. Guests dine on unpretentious local fare: steamed fish, silky steamed tofu, Hainan’s famed Wenchang chicken, and fresh garden greens—cooked simply and served family-style by the water.

Kids loved the hammocks by the grill and fishing pond, but the real highlight was hopping onto rafts in the middle of the pond—a thrilling (if slightly risky) group activity that had adults holding their breath from the shore.

Fushan Coffee Culture Town: Learning the Local Bean

The road trip then heads to Fushan Coffee Culture Town, home to Hainan’s well-known coffee growing region. At the on-site Coffee Culture Museum, visitors are greeted by two coffee trees at the entrance. Inside, six themed exhibition halls detail the development of Fushan coffee and offer educational insight into coffee cultivation, processing, and brewing. It’s an easy intro for anyone curious about how coffee grows outside the usual equatorial suspects.

Sweet Potato Digging in Qiaotou: A Hands-On Harvest

No Chengmai trip is complete without a visit to the Qiaotou sweet potato fields. Here, visitors trade city shoes for gloves and get their hands dirty in sandy soil—no tools needed. Even five- and six-year-olds join in, pulling up surprisingly large tubers from the loose, well-drained earth. The sandy medium makes for easy hand-digging, and every find is met with genuine excitement.

While the kids (and adults) unearth potatoes, farmers quietly prepare roasting pits, checking wind direction and tending to slow-burning fires. In around 20 minutes, freshly dug sweet potatoes emerge from the coals, fluffy and intensely sweet. “So soft, so sweet—really delicious,” visitors routinely rave. The sweet reward? Many leave with over 200 pounds of sweet potatoes packed for the road.

A Sunset Visit to Yongqing Temple

The final stop of the day is Yongqing Temple, arrived at just as the sun dips low. Bathed in evening light, the temple feels expansive and serene—a fitting close to a day immersed in nature, history, and local flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Chengmai is a county-level city located south of Haikou, Hainan Province. Known for its lush greenery, cooler climate, and cultural sites, it’s often referred to as Haikou’s “back garden” because of its proximity and role as a peaceful retreat from the provincial capital.

What makes Hainan’s sweet potatoes different?

Hainan sweet potatoes grown in sandy soil, like those in Qiaotou, are renowned for their fluffy texture and rich, sweet flavor when roasted. The loose soil allows for easy hand-digging, and the regional terroir contributes to their distinct taste compared to other sweet potato varieties.

What can you learn at the Fushan Coffee Culture Museum?

The Fushan Coffee Culture Museum features six exhibit areas, including dedicated spaces for the history of Fushan coffee and general coffee knowledge. It introduces visitors to local coffee cultivation practices and the broader story of how coffee farming developed in Hainan.

Is the Sister Towers site suitable for families or solo travelers?

Yes. The Meilang (Sister) Towers are peaceful, scenic, and relatively uncrowded, making them a great stop for families, couples, or solo travelers interested in history, photography, or a quiet cultural moment outdoors.

Can you visit coffee farms in Chengmai?

While the article focuses on the Fushan Coffee Culture Town museum experience, Chengmai is part of Hainan’s coffee-growing belt and visitors often have opportunities to see local farms, especially during harvest or special events. The region is well known for its small-scale, high-quality coffee production.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Hainan Coffee Explorers

If you enjoyed the locally grown Hainan coffee during your Chengmai trip, you might also like FrontStreet Coffee’s single-origin offerings. Their washed Yunnan Typica delivers a balanced cup with gentle acidity and natural caramel sweetness thanks to its medium roast and clean processing. For more intense fruit character, try the 2013 Yunnan Typica processed naturally—it highlights citrus, berries, and a hint of fermentation with a creamy, winey finish. Both showcase China-grown specialty coffee’s potential. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.