Wenchang (postal: Mencheong; ) is a county-level city in the northeast of Hainan province, China. Although called a "city", Wenchang refers to a large land area in Hainan - an area which was once a county. The urban center and the seat of government of Wenchang is officially known as "Wencheng Town" (), which is also colloquially referred to as Wenchang City. History Wenchang, or in local Hainanese dialect as Boon Siou, is the source of most overseas Hainanese migrants, with the majority of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, UK, Australia, USA, Canada & Europe Hainanese population having ancestral roots in Boon Siou / Wen Chang. The Wenchang dialect is considered the prestige form of the Hainanese language and is used by the island's provincial broadcasting media. It was promoted from a county to a city on November 7, 1995, and had a population of 86,551 in 1999 (estimated 2006: 115,000). Maps in the Republic of China on Taiwan continue to show Wenchang as a county part of its Kwangtung province. Geography Located in the northeastern part of Hainan, Boon Siou/Wenchang covers a total area of . The east side has a long coastline along the South China Sea while the west borders Dongzhai Harbor, Haikou's Meilan District, Qionghai, and Ding'an County. The land is mostly hilly and contains both forest and agricultural areas. The entire area is populated with countless towns, farms, and villages. Wencheng Town Wencheng Town is located in the south of Wenchang, southeast of the provincial capital, Haikou. There is a central park and covered market downtown. Also located downtown is a large, modern campus. A new hospital is under construction on the outskirts. The centre of the town is at near sea level with a canal running between one of the main streets and Wennan Old Street. This area has been subject severe flooding a number of times in the past. Another main road runs from the centre, uphill to the south. This road leads to Yilong Bay. Directly to the north of the town centre lies a fairly affluent hilltop community occupied by numerous housing compounds for retired military and other government workers. Auto-rickshaws and motorbikes provide the taxi service in the town. There are no car taxis. Wennan Old Street Wennan Old Street is a visitor attraction located in the heart of the town. The street is lined with fully restored tong lau buildings