Western Hainan has abundant resources. The Tonkin Gulf is both prime fishing waters and farther off shore is rich oil territory. The gold ore at the boundary of Dongfang and Ledong Counties puts out gold of the highest purity in all of China and the local sea salt works are the largest of their kind in southern China. The area is also rich in iron, bauxite and quartz.

The west coast's complex terrain varies from high mountains to deep forests. After liberation, over-exploitation of natural resources lead to the deforestation of large areas of previously virgin land. But there is hope in the form of the Jianfeng and Bawang Nature Reserves which are official State Nature Reserves. Both are virgin forests with old trees towering to the sky. In these last virgin, untouched areas, many rare and endangered animal species including gibbons, cobra and pangolin still roam. The Li and Miao minorities have long lived on this part of the island. With their distinctive tattooed faces, the Li people are very hospitable and will often entertain polite travelers with great hospitality.

The terrain and climate here are suitable for breeding tropical plants such as rubber trees, mango trees and watermelon. The area's nature reserves, intriguing ethnic peoples and tropical climate make western Hainan both one of the island's less traveled paths and best kept secrets.