Dangerous Animals and Plants

Venomous insects: Take precautions against venomous insects and bugs which are often encountered in dense forests in the mountainous regions of central Hainan.

Wasp nests: Look out for wasp nests, and avoid approaching them if possible.

Venomous snakes: There are some venomous snakes in Hainan, so it’s best to avoid all snakes if possible, just in case. If you are bitten, tie a tourniquet above the bite and seek medical help immediately.

Wild fruits: Some wild fruit may be poisonous, so it’s best to avoid eating any wild berries or fruit.

Poison Arrow Tree: Also known as bark cloth tree, 25-40 meters tall, with a diameter of 30-40 cm, this plant with pale gray bark and flowers in spring is poisonous. The white latex sap contains toxic substances which, entering a wound, may cause death resulting from heart failure and blood clotting. The sap was traditionally used to make poison arrows and darts. Avoid touching this tree.

Variegated croton: Scientifically named codiaeum variegatum, variegated croton is a tropical shrub with thick, leathery, shiny and bright-colored leaves,often grown as potted plant. The leaves and sap of the garden croton, once eaten, may cause toxic symptoms like stomachaches and diarrhea.

Rosary Pea: Rosary pea seeds are poisonous. Consuming these seeds can lead to death. Leaves and roots have been used in traditional medicine.
Rosary peas, also called Jequirity, Crab's Eye, and John Crow Bead, are perennial vines that can grow to 10 to 20 feet (3.05 to 6.1 m). The flowers of this plant are small and in the pink-red-purple range in color. This plant is a legume, meaning it produces pods. Pods are 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) long. Seeds are bright red with black spots on one end and are uniform in size and weight. Do not consume or touch the seeds.

Hainan is located in a tropical zone, with four major rainforests, providing an excellent living environment for diverse tropical plants and animals. There are currently more than 4,600 wild plants and 660 wild animals living on Hainan Island, many of which could be dangerous, so it’s best to look, not touch, and avoid wild animals.

Social Taboos

1. Do not take photos inside any temples without permission.

2. Don’t wear straw hats, or whistle, or carry farm implements on your shoulder when you visit the boat-like houses where the Li ethnic people reside.

3. Don’t step on the threshold when entering houses or temples.

4. Don’t stick your chopsticks vertically into a rice bowl, which is done by local Chinese people as a customary practice to worship their ancestors or the deceased.