HAINAN'S TROPICAL FRUIT PARADISE: A GLOBAL DESTINATION FOR AGRICULTURE, TOURISM

KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Bernama) -- The Window of World Tropical Fruits in Hainan, China, continues to captivate visitors with a diverse range of exotic fruits, including finger limes, swallowtail fruits, and mamey sapote.

Among the highlights is the milk fruit, set to enter the market this April, according to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Hainan Province in a statement.

Introduced by Hainan Grand Modern Agriculture Development Co Ltd, the star apple from the Americas is undergoing experimental cultivation in Hainan, with a planting area now reaching 1,000 mu (66.67 hectares) and an expected yield of 50 tonnes. The expansion aims to enhance local fruit options and boost the region’s appeal to visitors.

Hainan has positioned itself as a hub for tropical fruit cultivation, leveraging its favourable climate and the technological advancements of the "Nanfan Silicon Valley". The province has introduced nearly 2,000 foreign tropical fruit and vegetable species, earning it the title "Fruit United Nations".

The Window of World Tropical Fruits in Qionghai alone has introduced over 700 varieties of tropical fruits, successfully trialling 380 types. Among them, 18 varieties are now commercially available, contributing to local agricultural development and international exports to Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

In addition to fruit cultivation, the park is diversifying its offerings by integrating agriculture and tourism. Visitors can participate in cocoa bean processing, chocolate-making, and crafting cocoa-based products. Specially processed cocoa shells are also transformed into tea bags, offering a unique souvenir option.

Hainan Island, renowned as the "Paradise of Tropical Fruits", attracts both domestic and international tourists year-round. The influx of foreign visitors, particularly from Japan and Korea, has seen rising appreciation for Hainan’s mangoes, pineapples, and watermelons.

The province is further developing its agricultural tourism sector, with attractions such as Jiahe Grange, Little Overseas Chinese Coffee Estate, and Tanka Fishing Rows Resort.

Meanwhile, the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, held from March 25 to 28 in Qionghai, showcased Hainan’s agricultural and culinary excellence. Chefs prepared signature dishes featuring mangoes, papayas, and passion fruits alongside Wenchang chicken and grouper, reinforcing Hainan’s status as an international agricultural and tourism hub.

-- BERNAMA