Hainan, an island home to Chinese historical figures

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Hainan, China’s southern island province, boasts tropical beaches, lush forests and blue waters. It has also been home to many famous names throughout China's history.

From ancient China to modern times, these widely-known people not only played an important role in local history but also the development of the whole country.

People worship Lady Xian in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province, on March 17, 2016. /VCG Photo

Praised as “the first heroine of China,” Lady Xian, born in south China’s Guangdong Province, was a legendary politician and militarist 1,500 years ago.

At that time, Hainan was part of the Lingnan region, which covered the modern Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan as well as Hong Kong and Macao. The female leader peacefully recaptured Hainan, winning people over with her virtue and prestige.

A sculpture of Hai Rui. /VCG Photo

Hai Rui, born in Hainan’s Haikou City, is famed for his righteousness in enforcing law during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The official’s name has gone down in history as a model of honesty and integrity.

Charlie Soong /Xinhua Photo

Charlie Soong, born in Hainan’s Wenchang City, was a close friend of modern China's revolutionary vanguard Sun Yat-sen and a key player in the events that led to the 1911 Revolution which overthrew the Qing Dynasty and led to the birth of the new China. His children, such as Soong Ching-ling and Soong Mei-ling, were also prominent figures in the history of the country.

Zhang Yunyi /People's Daily Photo

Zhang Yunyi, born in Hainan’s Wenchang City, was named one of the 10 senior generals in 1955. He fought in China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Civil War.