Lighthouses of China: Hainan

The island of Hainan, together with some much smaller islands, forms the southernmost and smallest province of China. The island is about 300 km (190 mi) long from northeast to southwest and about 175 km (110 mi) wide at its widest point. The east side of the island faces the South China Sea and the west side faces the Gulf of Tonkin. Hainan is separated from the Leizhou Peninsula of Guangdong province by the 30 km (19 mi) wide Qiongzhou Strait. Haikou, facing the strait, is the capital and largest city. The population of the island is more than 8 million. Hainan was governed historically as part of Guangdong, but it became a separate province in 1988.

The major ports in Hainan include Xiuling at Haikou on the north coast, Sanya on the south coast, and Basuo at Dongfang on the west coast.

The Xisha (Paracel) Islands are attached to Hainan province, and China also considers the Spratly (Nansha) Islands to be part of the province.

Lighthouses in China are maintained by the PRC Maritime Safety Administration. The administration is organized in four regional administrations, with district offices in the major ports. The lights on this page are maintained by the Zhanjiang MSA office in Guangdong, which is included in the Guangzhou Region. The Chinese word for a lighthouse is dēngtǎ (灯塔). Jiao or chiao is a cape, dao, tao, yu, or hsu is an island, wan is a bay, and kang or gang is a harbor. Due to competing systems for transliterating Chinese into Latin characters, there are always several possible spellings for the names of places in China.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. CN numbers are the serial numbers used by the Shanghai regional office of MSA. Admiralty numbers are from volume F of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.

General Sources
Hainan Aids to Navigation
Web site of the MSA office for Hainan. Buttons in the left panel link to index pages for lights.
Lighthouses in Hainan
Photos available from Wikimedia.
Light Query Results
This is part of a long light list for all of China posted by the Shanghai MSA office. As of September 2011, Hainan lights were found beginning on page 161 of the list.
China AMS Topographic Maps
A fine collection of U.S. Army Map Service maps of China, in English, posted by the University of Texas Library.

Yulinjiao Light
Yulinjiao Light, Dongfang, May 2006
Flickr Creative Commons photo by David Schroeter

North Coast (Qiongzhou Strait) Lighthouses

Lingao County Lighthouse
* Lingao (Lamko Point)
1893. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); three white flashes followed by one longer white flash every 27 s. 21 m (69 ft) hexagonal pyramidal skeletal tower with lantern, gallery, and central cylinder. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. Two 1-1/2 story masonry keeper's houses. An MSA photo is at right, another photo and a third photo are available, the lighthouse was featured on a postage stamp, and Google has an indistinct satellite view of the cape. This lighthouse was built to mark the entrance to Qiongzhou Strait from the Gulf of Tonkin. The 1ight was restored and modernized in 1997; the current light pattern was instituted in 2011. Located on a sharp point of land about 80 km (50 mi) west of Haikou. Site apparently open, tower status unknown. ARLHS PRC-039; CN-5026; Admiralty F3342; NGA 20148.

Chengmai County Lighthouses
Yubaojiao (Yubao Jiao)
Date unknown (2002?). Active; focal plane 74 m (243 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 54 m (177 ft) concrete tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on Cape Yubao, a promontory about 40 km (25 mi) west of Haikou. Site status unknown. Admiralty F3342.73; NGA 20146.
Nangang
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); one long red flash every 5 s. Approx. 35 m (115 ft) round concrete tower, topped with a large round observation room and colored white with a black vertical stripe. No photo available; but Google has a satellite view. Located near the beach at Nangang, about 25 km (15 mi) west of Haikou. Site status unknown. Admiralty F3343.3; NGA 20145.

Haikou City Lighthouses
* Xiuying
1893. Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); three long white flashes and one long red flash every 42 s. 24 m (79 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white, mounted on the roof of a large building. Google has a satellite view. This historic lighthouse was refurbished in 1985, and the modern rotating lens was probably installed at that time. Located on a bluff overlooking the harbor in Xiuying, on the west side of Haikou Wan. Site probably open, tower closed. CN-5020; Admiralty F3346; NGA 20132.
Lingao Light
Lingao Light, Lingao
PRC Maritime Safety Administration photo
Xiuying (Haikou Wan) Range Front
1954. Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); red light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 24 m (79 ft) square skeletal tower, painted white. The tower also carries a triangular daymark, pointed up. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located in Xiuling about 800 m (1/2 mi) south of the harbor. Site status unknown, probably open; tower closed. CN-5018; Admiralty F3347; NGA 20136.
Xiuying (Haikou Wan) Range Rear
1954. Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); red light, 4 s on, 1 s off. 24 m (79 ft) square skeletal tower, painted black. The tower also carries a large triangular daymark, pointed down. Located in Xiuling 430 m (0.27 mi) south southwest of the front light. Site status unknown. CN-5019; Admiralty F3347.1; NGA 20140.
Xiuying Breakwater (Kong Sai)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 2 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped tower mounted on a square 1-story concrete base. Tower with red and white horizontal bands; base painted white. A photo is available, and Google has a good satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater of the traditional harbor of Xiuying. Site and tower closed. CN-5017; Admiralty F3347.3; NGA 20144.
Baishajiao (Baisha Jiao)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 6 s. 14 m (46 ft) round white concrete tower. A distant photo shows the tower silhouetted against the sunset, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a dike off the point of Baisha Men. Site status unknown. Admiralty F3347.8.
* Baisha Men
Date unknown (probably 2000 or later). Active; focal plane 78 m (256 ft); white flash every 6 s. 72 m (236 ft) triangular cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, rising from a 4-story stepped hexagonal base. The structure is buff-colored and white white concrete. A photo is available, and Google has a good satellite view. This remarkable modern lighthouse and Mulantou are (at least at the moment) the tallest Chinese lighthouses. Located on Baisha Men, a low point of land on the east side side of the entrance to Haikou Wan, the harbor of Haikou. Site open, tower status unknown. CN-5009.11; Admiralty F3347.95; NGA 20131.

Wenchang City Lighthouse
* Mulantou (Mulan Tou, Hainan Head)
1995. Active; focal plane 88 m (289 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 72 m (236 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and a large circular observation room, rising from a 2-story circular base. The entire lighthouse is white with red trim. An photo of this huge lighthouse appears at right, a more recent photo is available, Wikimedia has several photos, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse and Baisha Men are (at least at the moment) the tallest Chinese lighthouses. Located on a sharp promontory at the northeastern tip of Hainan, marking the south side of the entrance to Qiongzhou Strait. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS PRC-073; CN-4989; Admiralty F3348.1; NGA 20124.
Mulantou Light
Mulantou Light, Wenchang, October 2004
Panoramio Creative Commons photo by 大蛋

East Coast (South China Sea) Lighthouses

Wenchang City Lighthouses
Baohujiao (Baohu Jiao) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1962). Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); white flash every 6 s. 29.5 m (97 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and a round observation room. The lighthouse is covered by tile colored white with red trim. An MSA photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory at the northern end of Hainan's east coast, about 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Mulan Tou. Site status unknown. ARLHS PRC-004; CN-4982; Admiralty F3348.3; NGA 20128.
Beishidao (Beishi Dao) (2)
1995 (station established 1987). Active; focal plane 180 m (591 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 6.5 m (21 ft) hexagonal concrete tower with gallery and six ribs. Lighthouse covered with ceramic tiles colored white with red trim; the ribs are red and there is a red horizontal band below the gallery. The tower is not clear in Google's satellite view of the island. Located atop the highest and easternmost of the Qizhou islands, about 40 km (25 mi) east of Baohujiao. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-4982.1; Admiralty F3348.35; NGA 20122.
Tongguzui (Tonggu Zui, Tungku Chaio, Tonkon Point)
1989. Active; focal plane 140 m (459 ft); two white flashes every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) hexagonal cylindrical white concrete tower with gallery. Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse marks the easternmost tip of Hainan. Located on the cape, about 55 km (35 mi) east of Wenchang. Site status unknown. CN-5045; Admiralty F3348.4; NGA 20120.
* Qinglan Gang (Qinglankou)
1969 (station established 1954). Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 19 m (62 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, painted white. Qinglan is a small port southeast of Wenchang. Lee Kin Lam has a photo, Lee Marshall also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at Jianhuashan on the east side of the entrance to Qinglan harbor. Site open, tower closed. CN-5046; Admiralty F3348.43.

Qionghai City Lighthouse
Baiandao (Baian Dao, Kuan-tsai Ling, False Tinhosa) (2)
1997 (station establishment date unknown). Active; focal plane 81 m (266 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 12 m (39 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, covered with ceramic tiles colored white with narrow red vertical stripes at the corners of the tower. Google has only a distant satellite view of the area. This light guides sailors around a promontory known to western navigators as Sifa Point. Located on a small island just off the southeast coast of Hainan near Wanning. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-5064; Admiralty F3348.5; NGA 20208.

Baohujiao Light, Wenchang, 2004
PRC MSA Hainan Office photo

Wanning City Lighthouses
Dazhoudao (Dazhou Dao, Tachou Tao, Tinhosa)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 175 m (574 ft); white flash every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Lighthouse covered with white ceramic tiles. A closeup photo is available, but clouds hide the lighthouse in Google's satellite view. Dazhou is an island about 5 km (3 mi) off the southeastern tip of Hainan, known traditionally to Western navigators as Green Point. The historic light on the island was on the southwest coast, but it appears that the light station has been moved to the summit. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-5065; Admiralty F3348.6; NGA 20204.
Boao (Pei-ao)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); three white flashes every 9 s. 23 m (75 ft) round concrete tower with gallery. Lighthouse covered with white ceramic tiles. Google has a satellite view. Located north of harbor entrance at Boao, a small port about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Qionghai. Site status unknown. ARLHS PRC-011; CN-5061; Admiralty F3348.46; NGA 20212.

South Coast (South China Sea) Lighthouses

Lingshui County Lighthouses
Lingshuijiao (Lingshui Jiao, Leong Soi Point)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 150 m (492 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Lighthouse covered with white ceramic tiles. Google has only a blurry satellite view of the location. Located on a promontory on the southeast coast of Hainan about 11 km (7 mi) south of Lingshui. Site status unknown. CN-5066; Admiralty F3348.8; NGA 20200.

Sanya City Lighthouses
Houhailing
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 95 m (312 ft); white flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) round tapered concrete tower with double gallery. Lighthouse covered with ceramic tiles colored white with two narrow red horizontal bands. Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory near Linwang, about 20 km (13 mi) east of Sanya. Site status unknown. CN-5067; Admiralty F3348.9.
Dongzhoudao (Dongzhou Dao)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 123 m (404 ft); white flash every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Lighthouse covered with ceramic tiles colored white with two narrow red horizontal bands on the gallery. Google has a satellite view. Located on an island about 12 km (7.5 mi) east of Jinmu Jiao. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-5072; Admiralty F3348.93.
* Jinmujiao (Jinmu Jiao) (2)
1995 (station established 1960). Active; focal plane 72 m (236 ft); white flash every 10 s. 18 m (59 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and six ribs. Lighthouse covered with ceramic tiles colored white with red trim and red on the ribs. Lantern roof painted red. MSA's photo is at right, a 2003 photo and a more distant view are available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Jinmu Jiao was called Cape Rhinoceros by early Western navigators, presumably because the great rock at the tip of the point resembles a rhino's horn from a distance. It is the southernmost tip of Hainan, surrounded by a wild and forested area. (Except for some islands in the South China Sea, this is also the southernmost point of China.) Located on a ridge above the cape, about 18 km (11 mi) south of Sanya. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS PRC-035; CN-5074; Admiralty F3349; NGA 20196.
* Sanya Range Front (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); continuous red light. 18 m (59 ft) octagonal cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Lighthouse colored white with red trim and a black vertical stripe on the range line; there is also a triangular red daymark, point up, atop the tower. The rear light is mounted on a nearby building. Located on the waterfront of Sanya. Site open, tower closed. CN-5089; Admiralty F3351; NGA 20195.5.
Jinmujiao Light
Jinmujiao Light, Sanya
PRC Maritime Safety Administration photo
Sanya Reef (Baipai)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower. Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of a reef on the north side of the entrance to Sanya harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. CN-5088; Admiralty F3350.5; NGA 20195.
Ximaozhou (Ximao Zhou, Hsi-mei Chou) (2)
1960 (station establishment date unknown). Active; focal plane 137 m (450 ft); white flash every 3 s. 14 m (46 ft) round concrete tower with gallery and six decorative ribs. Lighthouse painted white (or covered with white ceramic tiles). Google has a fuzzy satellite view of the station. Ximao Zhou is a popular resort island in the South China Sea southwest of Sanya. Located atop an island about 5 km (3 mi) off the south coast and 25 km (15 mi) west of Sanya. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-5100; Admiralty F3350; NGA 20194.
Yazhou Wan (East Side)
2010. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); two whte flashes every 6 s. 34 m (112 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from an octagonal base. The lighthouse is white, lantern red. A February 2010 photo of this handsome new lighthouse is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a reef off a promontory on the south side of Gangmen Gang. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-5100.9; Admiralty F3350.4.
Xigudao (Xigu Dao, Hsi-ku Tao)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 89 m (292 ft); white flash every 6 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical tower with gallery. Lighthouse covered with ceramic tiles colored white with narrow red vertical stripes. Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island about 5 km (3 mi) off the southwestern coast of Hainan and 25 km (15 mi) west of Yacheng. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-5102; Admiralty F3356; NGA 20192.

Ledong County Lighthouse
* Yinggezui (Yingge Zui) (2)
1992 (station established 1951). Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 27 m (89 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and six ribs. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is red. A photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the southwestern tip of Hainan in Yinggehaizhen. Site open, tower closed. CN-5104; Admiralty F3357; NGA 20188.
Yinggezui Light
Yinggezui Light, Yinggehaizhen, 2004
PRC MSA Hainan Office photo

West Coast (Gulf of Tonkin) Lighthouses

Dongfang City Lighthouses
Ganenjiao (Ganen Jiao, Kanen Chaio) (2)
1996 (station established 1951). Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); white flash every 6 s. 47 m (154 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse covered with ceramic tiles colored white with narrow red horizontal bands. MSA's photo is at right, and Google has a good satellite view. Located on a point of land at Ganchengzhen, about 35 km (22 mi) south of Dongfang. Site status unknown. CN-5107; Admiralty F3357.5; NGA 20184.
* Yulinjiao (Yulin Jiao, Dongfang)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 62 m (203 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, except the base is unpainted stone. David Schroeter's photo is at the top of this page, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located atop a huge rock rising from the beach at the westernmost point of Hainan, just west of Basuo Gang. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F3337; NGA 20164.
Basuo Gang West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); green flash every 3 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted green. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Basuo Gang. Site status unknown. CN-5112; Admiralty F3337.3; NGA 20180.
Basuo Gang North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); red flash every 3 s. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north (main) breakwater of Basuo Gang. Site status unknown. CN-5113; Admiralty F3337.1; NGA 20176.
* Basuo Gang Range Front (2)
1997 (station established 1957). Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous red light. 15 m (49 ft) concrete tower, painted white, with a black vertical stripe and a large black upward pointing arrow facing the range line. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Basuo Gang is the harbor of Dongfang. Located on the waterfront east of the harbor. Site open, tower closed. CN-5109; Admiralty F3337.6; NGA 20168.
Basuo Gang Range Rear (2)
1997 (station established 1957). Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); continuous red light. 20 m (66 ft) square cylindrical brick tower, painted white, with a black vertical stripe and a large black downward pointing arrow facing the range line. No photo available, but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located 260 m (850 ft) east of the front light. Site status unknown. CN-5110; Admiralty F3337.61; NGA 20172.
Ganenjiao Light
Ganenjiao Light, Ganchengzhen
PRC Maritime Safety Administration photo
Sigeng Sha
2007. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 34 m (112 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, and Google's satellite view has no detail in this area. Located about 3 km (2 mi) off a sand spit at Sigengzhen. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty F3337.89.

Changjiang County Lighthouse
Junbijiao (Junbi Jiao)
1997. Active; focal plane 96 m (315 ft); white flash every 8 s. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Lighthouse covered with white ceramic tiles. Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory about 35 km (22 mi) north of Dongfang. Site status unknown. CN-5119; Admiralty F3338.2; NGA 20160.

Danzhou City Lighthouses
Guanyinjiao (Guanyin Jiao, Kuan-yin Chiao)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 60 m (203 ft); three white flashes every 9 s. 25 m (82 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery and a round watch room structure. Lighthouse covered with white ceramic tiles colored white narrow red vertical stripes. A photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. Located on heights behind a headland about 50 km (30 mi) northeast of Dongfang and 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Yangpu. Site status unknown. CN-5123; Admiralty F3338.4; NGA 20156.
Yangpu Gang Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); continuous red light. 15 m (49 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with a large square watch room structure, painted white. The tower also carries a triangular daymark, point up. Google has a satellite view. Located in the entrance to Yangpu harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-5132; Admiralty F3338.74.
Yangpu Gang Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); continuous red light. 20 m (66 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with a large square watch room structure, painted white. The tower also carries a triangular daymark, point up. Google has a satellite view. Located in the entrance to Yangpu harbor, about 800 m (1/2 mi) northeast of the front light. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-5133; Admiralty F3338.741.
Bingmajiao (Bingma Jiao, Yangpu Point) (2)
1995 (station established 1951). Active; focal plane 71 m (233 ft); white flash every 6 s. 41 m (135 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and six ribs. Lighthouse painted white with red vertical stripes along the ribs; lantern painted red. A closeup and a very distant view are available, and Google has a distant satellite view. The original light was an 8 m (26 ft) stone tower. Located on a bluff near Eman on the northwestern coast of Hainan. Site status unknown. ARLHS PRC-010; CN-5044; Admiralty F3339; NGA 20152.
Guanyinjiao Light
Guanyinjiao Light, Danzhou, 2004
PRC MSA Hainan Office photo

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Western Guangdong | South: Xisha (Paracel Islands) | West: Northern Vietnam

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Posted February 11, 2009. Checked and revised September 5, 2012. Lighthouses: 39. Site copyright 2012 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.