Hainan Island location. Hainan - what sea washes the island? The Flying World Bird Park is the largest park of this kind in China. Here you can see a variety of tropical breeds, watch ostrich races and cockfights, and feed
is the largest island in the southern Chinese province of the same name. There are several other small islands around it. Translated from Chinese, “Hainan” means “South of the Sea”.
Most of the income here comes from the resort and tourism business. The island has a wonderful climate, there are sights and monuments of history and culture, a developed tourist infrastructure, many excellent beaches, entertainment and hotels.
The largest city on Hainan Island is called Haikou. There are more than 8.5 million local residents throughout the province. During the year, no less tourists from all over the world come here to relax.
Geography
It is a small tropical island located in the South China Sea off the southern coast of China. Hawaii is located at the same latitude, which is why Hainan is often called “East Hawaii”. It is slightly larger in size than Crimea - 33 square meters. km.
In the center there are dense tropical forests, in which unique species of flora grow and endemic species of fauna live, listed in the Red Book of China and the whole world.
Climate
The average annual temperature in Hainan is +24C, the average water temperature is +26C. Three hundred days a year there is magnificent sunny weather. This is truly a heavenly place, both for a beach and excursion holiday.
There is eternal summer here and there is no division into High and Low seasons. The weather is favorable for holidays at any time of the year. However, winter is still considered the velvet season, and in summer prices for hotels and air tickets drop slightly due to precipitation.
Throughout December, January and February, during the dry season, the air temperature during the day is about +22C, and the sea water temperature is about +25C. In summer, during the rainy season, the air warms up to +25C, and the water in the sea – up to +28C.
Story
Hainan got its name during the Mongol Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century. After its fall during the Ming Empire in the 14th-17th centuries, this province strengthened significantly and was populated by the Chinese population.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, the island acquired independent administrative status. Deng Xiaoping created China's largest free economic zone (FEZ) here, after which Hainan began to develop by leaps and bounds.
Beaches
The island is known for its magnificent beaches and beautiful coral reefs. The beaches have beautiful views, are clean and well-groomed, and are equipped with all the necessary infrastructure.
Almost all of them are covered with shiny fine white sand, on which relaxation is a pleasure. Resort staff carefully monitor the cleanliness of the beaches near hotels of any class and star rating.
The most famous local beach is called the Jade Belt. It is a thin strip of white sand that separates the fresh river waters from the salty sea waters. The beach is located near the Boao resort.
Attractions
The largest Buddhist center of Nanshan is located 40 km from the resort of Sanya. There you can see a huge temple, a statue of the Goddess of Mercy more than 100 m high and a beautiful Chinese-style park.
This is an artificial island located near Sanya. Several skyscrapers have been erected on it, which house hotels for vacationers; there are also luxury villas, a yacht club, a beach, etc.
The Li and Miao are ethnic groups that have lived on the island for centuries. In these villages, the ancient way of life has been recreated. In a large park, traditional houses of these peoples are built, and the role of residents is played by local actors.
All historical and cultural artifacts related to Hainan are collected here. Tourists are presented with an extensive exhibition, incl. antique local porcelain, edged weapons, silk, national clothing, medieval jewelry, etc.
On the shore of this bay, which in Chinese is called the Dragon Coast, are the most expensive and luxurious hotels in Hainan. Around them are tropical forests, mountains, pristine white beaches. This is a real Garden of Eden on earth.
Dongshan Safari Park
A wonderful natural park where tourists, without exposing themselves to danger, can see how animals live in natural conditions. Ostriches and parrots, monkeys and crocodiles, lions and tigers live here.
This reserve was created specifically to study the local subspecies of macaques. Today, more than 2,000 of these little monkeys live there. Tourists love to communicate with them and feed them. But be careful, macaques will go through your pockets looking for shiny things.
Butterfly Park
This nature reserve, located next to Yalong Bay, houses a unique collection of butterflies from all over the world. You can also see unique insects here.
Pirate Island
This is a tiny island near Hainan, where you can enjoy almost untouched local flora and fauna, pristine tropical forest. Along the coast there are white beaches and coral reefs.
Park "Heavenly Grottoes"
A wonderful natural park where you can walk through caves and grottoes, touch sacred trees, and visit the famous Dragon Temple. This park is sacred to all who practice Taoism.
Entertainment
The center of tourism on the island is the resort of Sanya, where the famous Bar Street is located. The most popular bars among vacationers are:
- —SOLO,
- - SOHO
- - M2.
You can also find good nightclubs, discos and karaoke bars here. Nightlife continues until the morning. In karaoke bars, like ours, there is no dance floor and DJ; they just gather in groups and sing.
The nightclubs are very beautifully decorated in Chinese style, and guest artists and dancers often perform here. In the clubs you can always have a good time and have a good time; the prices for drinks are quite reasonable.
Not far from Sanya is Dadonghai Bay, near which there is the largest number of boutiques, shops, restaurants, bars, etc. There is everything for lovers of noisy entertainment and shopping.
Transport
Your first acquaintance with the island begins at Phoenix International Airport. This is where tourists from Russia and other countries fly. There is also Meilan Airport, but it is located far from the resort area and is therefore less popular.
The main type of public transport is buses. The price of bus tickets is low. Tourists also often use taxis or simply rent a car. Private traders on motorcycles are bombing. There is a high-speed train from Sanya to Haikou.
Pros and cons of Hainan
The resorts of Hainan are truly heaven on earth. But it’s more the wealthy Chinese who vacation here, as well as the European middle class and above. The prices are quite high, although it is easy to find a quite decent three-star hotel.
One of the popular tourist places is Hainan Island, photos of which can be found on the Internet. The tropical stretch of land, surrounded by the waters of the South China Sea, territorially belongs to the People's Republic of China and at the same time represents a large province located in the south of the country. To have a general understanding of the island, you need to know that its coastline is 1,500 kilometers long and its population is approximately eighteen million people. The southern and central part of the province is covered with dense forest, as well as plantations where bananas, mangoes, coconuts, tea, and coffee grow.
The northern part is considered an industrial center, so for a tourist it is not enough to know where Hainan Island is on the map; it is also necessary to understand where is the best place to go for a good rest. The capital of the province is the city of Haikou, which has a population of about 1.5 million people. It harmoniously combines large industrial centers and a developed recreation industry with a wide range of entertainment and a huge network of hotels of various classes. The islands also owe their popularity to their unique microclimate, which makes swimming and relaxation possible all year round. It is also worth noting that the country maintains strict adherence to environmental regulations.
It is prohibited to build any industrial production within a hundred kilometers from Sanya in any direction; in addition, any sewerage system must be looped and connected to a treatment facility; dumping waste into the sea is not possible.
Over the past few years, the bays of Hainan Island have become a popular destination among travelers around the world. For this reason, the provincial government has taken the trouble to create a powerful infrastructure for dynamically developing tourism and recreation. Vacationers from all over the world are attracted by a wide network of interesting tourist routes along the coast and mountain ranges, complexes of mineral and radon springs, and high-quality sandy beaches. Tourists can enjoy beautiful views of ethnographic villages, geographically significant places, and also catch the adrenaline rush on one of the local highways.
Volcanic activity
The fact that volcanic activity in Hainan stopped eight thousand years ago is evidenced by extinct volcanoes. You can take a guided tour to their craters. If a traveler does not know what to see on Hainan Island, he should visit the most famous volcano here, called Ma An. Its shape visually resembles a saddle. You can climb to the crater, which is protected by a railing, along steps lined with volcanic magma. There is a full-fledged observation deck at the top, from where you can look inside the crater. Its neck is solidified lava, from which, over the years, a variety of tropical relict plants and dense bushes have sprouted. The tourist area of the attraction is a spacious park. Not far from the open-air observation deck, between the palm trees, there is a restaurant where folklore evening performances by local residents, representatives of the Miao and Li peoples, are held in the evenings.
Additional confirmation of the stopped volcanic activity are the thermal springs, which are considered attractions of Hainan Island in China and also attract a huge number of tourists from all over the world. Such springs are unevenly scattered throughout the province and are surrounded by small cottage resorts, which are surrounded by green thickets, consisting mainly of tropical plants. The most popular place is considered to be the Guantan spring complex, the water temperature of which reaches 70 – 90 degrees. A traveler can get here along the Wanquan River, which is the third largest on the island.
How to get there
A tourist can get to the island from almost any airport, even from the Far East and deep Siberia, but direct flights are not established today. The exception is charter flights, which mainly depart from Moscow. Most airlines operating today offer their customers flights with connections to various cities in China. You can fly from Khabarovsk and Moscow to Hainan Monkey Island with one transfer, from St. Petersburg or another region - with two or more transfers.
If a traveler wants to enjoy the views of mainland China and can afford to travel longer, he should consider options such as train or bus routes. You will still have to fly, but much less. Most Russian flights are served by the airport in a southern resort city called Sanya. In addition, it is worth noting that the province is considered a special economic zone promoting the development of inbound tourism, so the visa regime here is relatively simplified. That is why a traveler can receive a visa immediately upon arrival. Separate programs are also provided for Russian groups of tourists. If the size of the group, whose visit will not last longer than 15 days, exceeds five people, visitors on the group list can take advantage of the visa-free regime.
Weather on Hainan Island
If we look at the weather of Hainan Island in China by month, it is worth noting that its main distinguishing feature can be called stability. Throughout the year there are almost no temperature changes. Resorts on the southern side of China welcome guests continuously. The daytime temperature during the season varies from +23 to +26 degrees, except in rare cases. That is why there is no winter cold or sweltering summer heat. Another notable feature is the fact that the water temperature is always several degrees higher than the current air temperature. The local season is divided into:
- The dry period lasts from December to March. It is considered the most favorable period for rest, since there is practically no rain. Even in winter, the daytime temperature does not fall below +20 degrees, and the night temperature does not drop below +15 degrees.
- The rainy season lasts from April to November and is characterized by high humidity. Spring is considered the most favorable time for excursion trips, since there is no obvious heat yet. Further, the thermometer column shows a higher value every month. The August indicator rises to +40 degrees.
The best time for a beach holiday is considered to be from October to November, as the resort weather begins to recover, that is, showers occur less and less often. Thus, the weather of Hainan Island in autumn pleases with refreshing winds and average, comfortable air temperatures.
Sights of the province
For local vacationers, attractions are also important, of which there are a huge variety. Among them there are luxurious tropical beaches, as well as natural monuments and objects created by man himself. Modern travelers, as a rule, pay the greatest attention to the following places:
Thus, in addition to a beach holiday, vacationers are offered a huge number of places to visit, which usually cannot be visited in a few weeks of vacation. It is for this reason that tourists often return here again. Eighty kilometers from the city of Sanya there is an island with an area of 1000 hectares, where more than 2100 monkeys live, which belong to the type Guanxi macaques. There, tourists can visit a unique monkey circus, as well as dine inside a restaurant located on the water.
We can say that in any weather, Hainan Island in China will be an ideal holiday destination. This is due to the huge variety of leisure options. If the weather is not conducive to a beach holiday, you can go on an excursion or just take a walk around the city.
Hainan Island ("Jade Paradise", "Hawaii of the East") is a tropical island off the southern coast of China, one of the best resort areas in Asia.
Ecology, mild unique microclimate, warm and clean South China Sea, 300 sunny days a year, tens of kilometers of beautiful sandy beaches, picturesque bays, relict nature of the island, well-equipped radon and other thermal springs, professional golf courses, magnificent landscapes parks, ethnographic villages of the aborigines - the Li and Miao peoples - these are the features of the island that put it among the best resorts in the world.
Pearls are the symbol and pride of Fr. Hainan, as well as a traditional craft item of local residents. It is in the South China Sea that some of the best varieties of pearls are mined, distinguished by their special beauty, variety, brilliance and durability. Today Fr. Hainan occupies a leading place in China in the production and export of high-quality pearls.
The main tourist area of Hainan Island is located in the south of the island, in the vicinity of the city of Sanya and on the islands of the adjacent water area. Two international airports - Camellia in Haikou in the north and Phoenix in Sanya in the south - connect the island by airlines not only with mainland cities, but also with the countries of Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, as well as Hong Kong and Macau. Ships ply to Guangzhou and Hong Kong; the island itself has an extensive network of modern roads, allowing, despite the large size of the island, to quickly and conveniently move around it.
Hainan is a place where the life expectancy level of the population is the highest in the PRC.
Sights of Hainan Island in China
Below is a list of 6 main attractions of Hainan Island in China with photos that you should familiarize yourself with first.
An urban district in the south of Hainan Island in the province of the same name in China, the southernmost urban district of the country.
The park is located approximately 50 km from Sanya, at the foot of the South Mountain, and covers an area of 23 sq. km. It was founded back in 1187 during the Song Dynasty. Thus, the park can be called the oldest attraction in Hainan.
The park, dedicated to the local Li and Miao people, is located about 30 km from Sanya. A lush green garden is planted here, in which betel nut grows, something like Russian birch for the Hainan Island. This nut, sometimes called "pinang" or "areca", is the fruit of the tall betel nut palm.
The most prestigious of the three bays of Hainan Island.
A popular recreation area in the south of Hainan Island in China.
An artificial island off the coast of Hainan Island.
Of all China, Hainan Island is considered a special hot place. It is considered one of the main resort destinations in the country. This island is popular not only with foreigners who come to see the local beauty and attractions, but also with local residents of China.
Since Hainan is located at the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, it has the second name "East Hawaii". The island's climatic conditions are also similar to the Hawaiian Islands.
The beach season on the island is long, since the climate of this area is subequatorial. During the daytime, the air temperature does not drop below +20C, and the water warms up to more than +25C in resort areas - Haikou, Sanya and Hainan.
On Hainan Island, the sun shines more than 300 days a year, and precipitation falls almost 1500 mm for the whole year. As a rule, rain occurs only from May to mid-October. The most rain on the island is expected in September, but this does not stop tourists and visitors who want to get to the island and get a lot of holiday experiences.
In winter, the island is not hot, but always warm. In February and December, the air temperature reaches +22C, but January is colder, since during the day the thermometer reaches only +20C, but at night it is even colder - up to +14C. As for precipitation, there is very little of it in the winter month - only 21-34 mm. The water temperature in the sea is quite high and reaches up to +25C.
Spring is considered a wonderful holiday season in Hainan. At this time of year in Sanya, the air temperature becomes higher, and in May the thermometer can show +32C. At the very beginning of spring, the water warms up to +28C. The climatic conditions on the island in April are also favorable for relaxation; it is warm and cozy here. But closer to the beginning of May, it is already sultry in Hainan, and if you are going to go on excursions, then be prepared for the fact that the heat will be exhausting.
Tourist activity on the island decreases in summer. During the summer season on the island, the rainy peak is constantly replaced by heat. You need to be extremely careful, because at this time you can get sunburn. The hottest month is July. The air temperature in any month of summer is always high and rises above +33C. At night, the thermometer does not drop below +25C, and the water warms up to +30C.
As soon as the autumn days arrive, the weather again becomes favorable not only for a good rest, but you can also go on excursions without worrying about it being too hot. Often in September, meteorologists say that there will be showers that will affect the air humidity in this area.
And only in October will it be possible to feel comfortable on Hainan Island. A light breeze and minimal precipitation at a temperature of +28-30C make your vacation unforgettable. At this time, surfing and various sports and entertainment events are especially popular on the island. Rainfall practically stops in November, so you can go on an excursion to Yanoda National Park, see the volcano, or enjoy boat trips or laze on the beach.
How to get to Hainan Island
In order to fly to Hainan Island, there are several options:
There is a direct regular flight from Moscow to the island, the flight time will be about 10 hours;
-you can use domestic flights through Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai. You can get to Hainan faster from Hong Kong, in just one hour. But there are more flights from Shanghai and Beijing; in terms of time, you can get to the island: from Beijing - in four hours, and from Shanghai - in two hours.
Brief video review
Considering the islands of China, Hainan can be particularly highlighted. This is an amazing place on our planet, where thousands of tourists from all over the world strive to get to in order to enjoy an unforgettable vacation and bring home vivid impressions of incredibly beautiful nature. Recently, China has become very popular among tourists. And travelers, choosing the islands of China for their holidays, prefer Hainan more often than others. Have you dreamed of going to a tropical paradise, where the sun shines three hundred days a year, where you will be surrounded on one side by the azure warm sea, white beaches and coconut palms, and on the other by wild jungles with incredible flora and fauna? Then you definitely need to visit Hainan Island in China. The holiday will not leave you or your children indifferent. Here you can fully enjoy the pristine beauty of wild nature, try the famous local cuisine and join the culture of ancient peoples. If you translate the name of the island of China, Hainan, into Russian, you will literally get “an island located south of the sea.”
Description of Hainan Island
This island in the Middle Kingdom is the second largest after Taiwan. And it is located in a tropical climate zone at the same latitude as Hawaii, for which it received the name “Eastern Hawaii”. Its area is thirty-four thousand square meters. The population is about eight million people. The capital of the island is the city of Hayoku. Once it was a small provincial town, but now it is a beautiful modern metropolis. The recreation industry here is developing at a rapid pace. Since the reign of the Tang Dynasty, it has been the custom that all routes around the island begin from the city of Hayoku.
There are two more cities on the island that are especially loved by visitors - Sanya and Tunzha. Sanya is located in the very south, surrounded by mountains on three sides, and washed by the azure tropical sea on the fourth. Tunja is interesting because the indigenous population of the island lives here - the Miao and Li peoples. There are ethnographic villages here, which represent the life and rituals of the indigenous population. Few people will be indifferent to a country like China, and even more so to a holiday on Hainan Island. It has everything: mountains, waterfalls, lakes, thermal springs, bays, beaches, entertainment, luxury hotels and much more. Everything to make your holiday in China (Hainan Island) unforgettable. If we talk about local cuisine, many tourists definitely try to try four famous dishes: Hele crab, Dunshan black goat meat, Wenchang chicken and the famous Chinese duck.
Flora and fauna
The island is especially famous for its abundance of rare plants and animals. Here the impenetrable jungle has been preserved in its pristine beauty. Forests are located in the central and southern parts of the island. Such rare trees as “grain”, “oil”, and anchar grow in Hainan. The main crops are hevea and coconut palms. Bananas, pineapples, coffee and tea are also grown on the island. At an altitude of one thousand two hundred meters, in the botanical gardens, relict vegetation has been preserved. Many species of flora and fauna are under UNESCO protection. As for the animal world, it is also diverse. At the National Safari Zoo, tourists can see bears, tigers, lions and other predatory animals with their own eyes. Travelers who have visited China (Hainan Island) always leave admiring reviews. And they dream of coming here again.
Main resorts
The resort area of the island is conventionally divided into several parts. In the south of the island there are three bays where tourists mainly relax: Dadonghai, Sanya and Yaluwan. The city of Sanya mentioned above is located in the center of the bay of the same name. The hotels are located across the street from the beach. And it should be noted that this bay has the longest coastline, more than twenty kilometers long. From the recreation area to the city it is approximately eight kilometers. which means “great eastern sea”, is located three kilometers from the city of Sanya. The coastline stretches for several kilometers. There is everything your heart desires: white sand beaches, palm trees, clear sea, bars and dance floors, cozy restaurants.
The hotels are located in the coastline area. This bay is considered one of the most beautiful in China. Dragon Bay - Yaluwan - is located twenty-eight kilometers from Sanya Bay. The twenty-kilometer long beach has the shape of a crescent. High cliffs of bizarre shape hang over the southern part of the bay. The distance from the city of Sanya is approximately twenty-eight kilometers. Each zone has both its advantages and disadvantages. So, the beaches of Dadonghai Bay are always very crowded. In addition to tourists, local residents also come here, which is why very often there are not enough sunbeds and umbrellas for everyone. The advantages include an abundance of entertainment both during the day and in the evening. In Yaluvan, nothing will disturb the peace of vacationers; here tourists are left almost alone with nature. But the downside is that there is absolutely nothing to do in the evening. The only entertainment options are swimming pools on hotel grounds and restaurants. Those who want to have fun to the fullest will have to go to the city. And this is a little expensive.
Where to stay?
Those wishing to spend a holiday in China will certainly enjoy Hainan Island. Basically, a tourist, before going to distant lands, collects information about the place of his intended vacation. After all, you want to know not only about the sights, nature and prices for services, but also about the hotels in which you will live. Fortunately, now this is easier to do. Below are some of the most popular hotels. China (Hainan Island) has always been famous for its good service. There are a lot of both fashionable and inexpensive hotels on the island. That's why many travelers want to visit China, Hainan Island. Reviews from tourists are always only positive. And it’s not surprising - how can you remain dissatisfied after visiting such a paradise?
Resort 4*)
Now many agencies offer Hainan Island - one of the most popular routes. And, of course, to make your vacation truly unforgettable, you should take care of the hotel in advance. The Cactus Hotel is ideal for tourists seeking to enjoy the local nature, as well as for parents with children. This four-star hotel is located at the most remote point of Yaluwan Bay, near Butterfly Gorge. Its territory occupies a very large area, on which there are several swimming pools for adults and one for children, a large beautiful park, and two restaurants. The sea is ten minutes walk away. The design of the hall and rooms will delight even experienced travelers with its sophistication. The rooms are very cozy, with or without balconies. The staff is courteous and friendly, they clean the rooms and change towels every day. The food in the restaurants is at the highest level. In the evenings there is a buffet there. One of the restaurants has a chocolate fountain. Bicycles can also be rented on site to further explore Dragon Bay. Dollars can be changed downstairs at the reception, which is very convenient. The only disadvantage is the rather large distance from the city.
Hotel Grand Soluxe Resort 5*
This five-star hotel is located twenty minutes' drive from Sanya city. It was built in 2008, so guests will be offered modern comfortable conditions for relaxation. The hotel is mainly visited by wealthy tourists from Europe, China and Russia. Thanks to the large hall and the presence of two elevators, it seems that not many people live here. The Grand Soluxe Resort 5* hotel is located on the first coastline. To get to the beach, you only need to cross the road. By the way, there are very few cars there, and in the evening traffic stops altogether.
There are many restaurants, cafeterias, and bars to suit everyone’s taste. For breakfast there is a buffet offering a wide variety of dishes. In the evening - dinner by the pool, where a barbecue is held and guests are entertained by a singer. The hotel provides a large number of additional services - both paid and free. The rooms are incredibly cozy and beautiful, all decorated with natural wood. The staff cleans every day and changes towels and bathrobes very often. Free sunbeds and towels are provided on the beach. All tourists who visited the Grand Soluxe Resort 5* hotel dream of returning here again.
Hotel Resort Intime 5*
This hotel is located in the heart of Dadonghai Bay. Everything is nearby: shops, entertainment centers, restaurants and other entertainment venues. Therefore, a holiday in this place will appeal to active people who do not seek solitude. The hotel is located on the first coastline, but you need to take into account that the beach adjacent to its territory is municipal, therefore, local residents like to relax here. In the evenings, the Chinese like to set off fireworks, so it can be noisy at night. This hotel is most likely not entirely suitable for families with children. He himself is very beautiful and cozy. Spacious rooms, helpful staff. Cleaning is carried out every day, and at six o’clock in the evening a hotel employee will definitely come to you to check if you need anything and if everything suits you. The Resort Intime 5* building is surrounded by a wonderful garden where you can take long walks. Swimming pools, restaurants - everything is located on the territory of the hotel.
How to fly to the most beautiful island of China - Hainan?
How to get to this island? After reading rave reviews from tourists, many will want to visit Hainan Island (China), where tours are offered by many agencies. And it should be noted that quite often there are hot offers where you can save half the cost of the trip. Direct flights Moscow - Hainan are operated by Transaero airlines. Flight time is ten hours. You can also reach the island via Shanghai, Beijing or Hong Kong. The flight from Shanghai will take two and a half hours, from Hong Kong - one hour, and from Beijing - four.
Entertainment
An international Olympic shooting range, some of the best golf courses, a safari park, rafting, diving, fishing, extreme marine entertainment - all this awaits you on Hainan Island.
Must see
There is a lot of entertainment on the island, and, of course, there is something to see. If you suddenly get tired of lying on the beach all day, be sure to organize excursions. You can visit the following places:
What to buy
Having enjoyed a wonderful vacation, you really want to take a piece of this exotic land with you to once again please yourself and your loved ones. As souvenirs you can buy local tea and coffee, pearl and rock crystal items, wooden Buddha figurines, porcelain, silk, Feng Shui symbols and much more. You can purchase all this in souvenir shops, of which, by the way, there are a lot on hotel premises. In the city of Sanya, most of these specialized shops are located in the center, on Osvobozhdeniye Street. In the island's capital, Haioku, prestigious shopping outlets and markets are located on a headland called "Edge of the Sky".
Treatment
Having tried traditional Chinese medicine on yourself, you will not only improve your health, but also diversify your vacation. China (including Hainan Island) is famous for its unconventional methods of treating many diseases. With the help of Chinese medicine, a person can be restored to health without surgery. But even if not everyone decides to try exotic drugs on themselves, then you should definitely visit the thermal radon springs or take a course of Thai massage, which local masters do superbly.
Conclusion
It is not surprising that, when considering the islands of China, Hainan is most often chosen as the place where one would like to go on vacation. Arriving here, you will plunge into the atmosphere of heaven on earth. And your soul will strive here again and again.
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The best resort in the Middle Kingdom, “Eastern Hawaii” and the main Chinese health resort, Hainan in the past was an exiled island for nobles. Today, only the lazy have not heard about him. A good half of Siberia and the entire Far East are treated here for their illnesses and ailments, at the same time betraying their mortal bodies to the warm turquoise waters of the South China Sea. It’s even boring to describe the traditional picture of Hainan beaches - everything is luxuriously banal to the point of gnashing teeth: here they are, emerald palm trees, snow-white sand and azure waters. Let's talk about Hainan's special features; this island has plenty of them.
Firstly, the Li and Miao are the main ethnic groups in Hainan, staging amazing funeral and wedding ritual shows for tourists, which makes this corner of China completely different from the rest of the country. Secondly, fruits - rambutans, lychees and other exotic fruits in Hainan will become the main meal at any time of the day or night, since you will rarely taste such an abundance of goodies. Further, they don’t need any special introduction. And, finally, a surprise for all the lazy people vacationing in Hainan: a rich cultural heritage, which should be looked for not in the south, where all the resorts are concentrated, but in the north, where, in fact, the nobility that bothered the emperor were exiled.
How to get to Hainan
You can get to Hainan from almost anywhere in Russia, including from Siberia and the Far East. There are no direct flights to the island's airports (with the exception of charter flights from Moscow); several airlines offer flights with connections in different cities of China. Muscovites and Khabarovsk residents have options with one transfer, while St. Petersburg residents and residents of other regions have only two.
Search for air tickets to Sanya (the nearest airport to Hainan)
Cities and resorts of Hainan
For lovers of active recreation, the vicinity of Sanya has all the conditions for diving, surfing, paragliding, cycling and fishing.
By the way, the Chinese come to the beach not so much to swim as to just sit, admire the sea and watch the white aliens in their natural habitat. The Chinese themselves prefer to stay further from the sea - it’s cheaper.
The entrance to the water in all bays is smooth and gentle; the shore is very shallow, so swimming is convenient and safe even with small children. The territory of the beaches is conditionally divided between hotels, but there are no fences, you can relax where you like. Admission is free almost everywhere, including showers, changing rooms and toilets. The only thing you have to pay for is sun loungers and umbrellas (20-50 CNY) and all kinds of water activities (from 200 CNY for a trip on a boat or banana boat to 1000 CNY for fishing on a specially equipped boat).
Treatment
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pulmonary, skin and urological diseases, rheumatism, osteochondrosis and hypertension are treated on the island. Treatment on the island excludes any form of surgical intervention and is carried out exclusively by traditional Chinese methods in combination with the use of natural medicines. The well-known center for traditional Chinese medicine is the “Garden of Longevity” in the Dadonghai district at the Pearl River Garden Hotel. Another center, SanYiTang, is located in Sanya, and not so long ago a branch of this clinic opened in Yalong Bay, at the Cactus Resort Hotel.
Other popular centers: Tai Chi and Yu-Kang. The Nantian medical complex will also help improve your health, on the territory of which there are more than 30 pools with water of different temperatures and chemical compositions.
Travel to Hainan Island
Diving in Hainan
The rich world of the depths of the South China Sea has been providing the island with a steady influx of divers from all over the world for several years now. Visibility underwater there is more than 20 m, and diving can be done all year round thanks to the stable mild climate and the absence of strong currents. Sometimes, however, echoes of southern storms reach Hainan, and then divers are forced to give up the bridgehead to surfers for several days.
Popular dive sites: Xiaodonghai Bay (two rivers: a bulk carrier and a boat, depth 15 m), Yalongwan (densely populated coral colonies, 18 m), Houhai Bay (corals and underwater rocks with grottoes, 30 m), Fenjiezhou Island (rocks and rivers, 25 m).
Shopping and shops
Hainan's calling card is pearls, which are famous for their regular shape and variety of colors. Tea, rock crystal, silk, porcelain, wood carvings, Buddhist souvenirs and Feng Shui symbols are also brought from the island.
You can first try different varieties of Chinese tea in tea houses scattered throughout the island, and then buy the one you like.
Haixudong Street in Haikou is a place where prestigious shops are concentrated, and you can buy artistic crafts at the Cape Market “The Edge of Sky and Sea”. In the city of Sanya, the main department stores are located on Liberation Street in the city center.
Not long ago, a Tax free system was introduced on the island, but so far only in a few stores. The purchase amount must be from 800 to 5000 CNY, VAT refund - 11%.
What to try
Entertainment and attractions
When you arrive in Hainan, you should definitely set aside 2-3 days and drive around the island in search of beautiful views and interesting sights. There are plenty of them here.
To get to know Buddhist culture better, you should go to Nanshan Temple. Not far from it, on an artificial island, stands the world's tallest statue of the goddess Guanyin, and in the sanctuary there are a dozen sculptures of Buddha himself.
From the observation deck in front of Nanshan there is a picturesque view of the sea and a giant statue of a bodhisattva.
Betel Nat Ethnic Park is located 30 km from Sanya. It is dedicated to the life, customs and traditions of the small peoples of Li and Meow. There are huts scattered throughout the area where you can learn about the tattoos, dialects and other characteristics of the local residents.
The Sky Grottoes are the most ancient attraction of Hainan.
Hainan has many picturesque natural parks and reserves. In one of them, on Monkey Island, more than 2,000 tailed inhabitants live. You will have to take a cable car to get here, but you can admire the island and the surrounding South China Sea. Another entertainment is fishing on rafts; there are also small restaurants serving excellent seafood dishes.
Another park, the Celestial Grottoes, is considered the island's most ancient attraction. It was founded almost 1000 years ago. Today, South Mountain attracts tourists with its beautiful views and historical structures, including the Temple of the Dragon King of the South China Sea, which houses a statue of the ruler himself, and the Wall of Records at the top of the mountain. In addition, the Sanya Natural History Museum is located on the territory of the Taoist Park.
The resorts of Hainan are well suited for families with children. Most 4 and 5* hotels have play areas, small pools with slides, a daily entertainment program and a children's menu in the restaurant.
Not long ago, a large modern water park opened in Sanya. It is divided into 3 zones - children's, children's and adolescents' and adults'. There is a pool with artificial waves, which is also divided into 2 parts - in one the tide is very weak, in the other a real storm is raging.
On the shores of the picturesque Lake Dongshanhu lies the largest natural zoo in the Asian region (office site in English). Animals from different parts of the country are collected here - elephants, giraffes, monkeys, sika deer. There are also dangerous predators - lions, tigers, crocodiles, so excursions are conducted in jeeps or buses. This place bears little resemblance to the familiar zoo with its cramped cages. Animals are kept in conditions as close to natural as possible. The zones are separated, but the enclosures are so spacious that their boundaries are almost invisible. The peaceful inhabitants can be approached, petted and fed.
In March, there are many Chinese at the resorts, and from February to May they are occupied by Europeans.