Wanning, a coastal city in China's Hainan province, is carving out a new identity as an international surfing destination. With Riyue Bay hosting major global competitions this year, including the 2025 World Surf League event, the city has attracted athletes and enthusiasts from over 30 countries and regions, transforming its beaches into a vibrant cross-cultural hub.
The surge in surfing-related tourism aligns with Hainan's ongoing transition to island-wide special customs operations, which has streamlined international travel and trade since its phased implementation began earlier this year. Local businesses report a 40% increase in overseas visitors compared to pre-reform figures, with surf schools, eco-resorts, and adventure tourism companies leading the growth.
"What began as niche water sports tourism has become an engine for comprehensive development," noted Wang Tao, a journalist covering the region's transformation. "New international schools, fusion cuisine restaurants, and sustainable infrastructure projects all trace their origins to the surfing boom."
As night falls on Riyue Bay, the mix of Mandarin, English, and Portuguese conversations along the beachfront promenade underscores Wanning's evolving character—a microcosm of Hainan's broader ambitions to become a free trade port with global appeal by 2035.
