Wuzhi Mountain

Wuzhishan, the five-finger mountain, rises to about 1,840 metres in the centre of Hainan, its ridge broken into peaks that give it the name, and it holds some of the island's best tropical rainforest, protected as a national park with high plant and bird diversity, orchids, tree ferns and dense canopy. The mountain is the cultural centre of the Li, Hainan's indigenous people, whose villages, textile weaving and traditions are strongest in this interior. A trail climbs to the second peak, the usual objective, through forest that is wet, humid and often in cloud. Rafting on the Changhua river is offered nearby.

What you actually see

• The five-peak ridge - the mountain that names the region.
• The rainforest - dense canopy, tree ferns and orchids along the trail.
• The Li villages - the cultural heartland of Hainan's indigenous people.
• The summit trail - a steep climb to the second peak.

When to go

November to April, the dry season; summer is wet with leeches, mud and typhoons. Cloud covers the peaks frequently in any season. Start climbs early as afternoon rain is common.

Honest expectations

The climb is steep, muddy and humid, taking several hours return. Views are often obscured by cloud. Facilities in Wuzhishan city are basic and English almost absent.

Nearby

Jianfengling lies southwest; Sanya is south.