A red-and-white striped lighthouse stands against the azure sea and sky on Shenzhou Peninsula in Wanning, Hainan Province on July 13, 2026./CGTN

Located on Hainan's southeast coast, Wanning has earned its reputation as one of China's top surfing spots, drawing beginners and pros alike with world-class waves, sun-drenched beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a laid-back island vibe. The city is now home to more than 160 surf clubs and pulls in half a million visitors a year.

Its fame got an unexpected boost in 2023, when the suspense film Lost in the Stars hit theaters, thanks to an iconic lighthouse featured in the movie. Though the film was actually shot in Lingshui, elsewhere on Hainan Island, a lookalike lighthouse in Wanning has since become the real star – drawing crowds eager to capture the picturesque view and snap their own piece of the scene.

A red-and-white striped lighthouse stands against the azure sea and sky on Shenzhou Peninsula in Wanning, Hainan Province on July 13, 2026./CGTN

A red-and-white striped lighthouse stands against the azure sea and sky on Shenzhou Peninsula in Wanning, Hainan Province on July 13, 2026./CGTN

A red-and-white striped lighthouse stands against the azure sea and sky on Shenzhou Peninsula in Wanning, Hainan Province on July 13, 2026./CGTN

A red-and-white striped lighthouse stands against the azure sea and sky on Shenzhou Peninsula in Wanning, Hainan Province on July 13, 2026./CGTN

A red-and-white striped lighthouse stands against the azure sea and sky on Shenzhou Peninsula in Wanning, Hainan Province on July 13, 2026./CGTN

A red-and-white striped lighthouse stands against the azure sea and sky on Shenzhou Peninsula in Wanning, Hainan Province on July 13, 2026./CGTN