Construction of Hainan highway loop gets green light

A scenic highway circling the island province of Hainan has been formally approved for construction, according to the provincial transport department, xinhuanet.com reported.

The main route of the highway will stretch 997.9 kilometers and the spur route 442.7 km. The construction of the project, with an estimated investment of 16.7 billion yuan ($2.47 billion), is expected to accelerate building Hainan into an international tourism and consumption center.

The funding for construction will come from various sources, including self-financing from enterprises, government support, social capital and market financing.

Linking 12 coastal cities and counties as well as the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in Hainan, the highway loop will pass by bays, headlands, characteristic towns, tourist attractions and seaside resorts.

The scenic highway is an important infrastructure project for the creation and development of the Hainan free trade port, said an official from the provincial transport department. Its construction can help explore and innovate the operation model of tourism highways. The province aims to build areas along the highway into new bright spots in Hainan's tourism product offerings, the official said.