This is how the smallest province of the People’s Republic of China is generally defined. It is also the largest (33,210 km2) of its islands. Like a drop escaped from the end of the continent, it plunges into the South China Sea southwest of Hong Kong, off the coast of Vietnam. Its capital, Haikou, a large modern city, is located in the north of the island.
Beaches and land of adventure
Sanya, the luxury resort, has developed in the south. Blond sand, coconut palms, crystal clear sea… this is the setting for each of the beaches that line the coast. Sports equipment shops and staff of zealous instructors offer the best in sports in or on the water. Elsewhere, everything is green: we are amazed. It is that with a humid tropical climate the vegetation is in the “luxuriance” phase almost all year round, a pure delight!
Mountainous in its center, freed from the fury of its now extinct volcanoes, Hainan has abandoned itself to the jungle, to its exceptionally rich fauna and flora.
In its humid primitive forests where time has stood still, nothing has changed and the cloud leopard still hides there. You do not have access to these preserved territories or to certain nature reserves, but everywhere else, paths go off the beaten track and invite you to discover.
Obviously, when you only allow yourself a week’s vacation – and this is the case for the Chinese, mostly here – you prefer flip flops to hiking sneakers. And we move to Sanya.
180 km of urbanized coastline
The seaside town is served by an international airport (4.5 million visitors per week last February), by 5 terminals welcoming cruise ships on the artificial island of Phoenix (with its 5 Dubai-style towers!), by 5 open ports and 8 waterways… and by many roads and even a fast train. The reception infrastructures are in keeping. All the major hotel chains are present in the city itself, as well as on the coast. Property developers had a blast as soon as the island opened up to development. In ten years, according to the organization Greenpeace, 1/4 of the forest cover has been sacrificed in favor of the emergence of a tourist paradise. And it definitely is.
The Goddess Guanyin
It is the tallest statue in the world. It soars 108 m high, dominating the sea and its three faces: peace, wisdom and compassion. To approach it, you have to take the wide pier that starts from the Nanshan cultural tourist area. A space, moreover, to discover absolutely. Located 40 km from Sanya, it has three theme parks, including one dedicated to the Buddhist temple. In operation since the founding of the Republic, it is a revered center of pilgrimage.
As for the wonder of wonders, it is here that we can admire it. It is still the goddess Guanyin, 3.80m high this time: carved in jade, she is covered with 100 kg of gold and set with 120 carats of diamonds and admirable precious stones. It keeps two sacred relics of Buddha and is part of the Chinese national treasure.
Green tourism and eco-tourism
It is a concept already well established here and of which we find a most convincing application in Yalong Bay. It is a complex of storied lodges in the Tropical Paradise Forest Park. Perfectly integrated into the environment, it also uses efficient measures: heat pumps to capture air and heat water; solar panels; rainwater and wastewater collection system, etc. And vacationers are strongly encouraged to use only biodegradable materials!
The city of Sanya is of course taking part in the pilot national “zero waste” campaign and promoting recycling. The beaches are regularly combed through by volunteers to eliminate plastics and, in schools, ecology is not left out. On the other hand, the city continues its planting program in the mangroves and the National Wetlands Park (local flora and fauna) is the subject of important protection measures.
Thermal baths in tropical forests
Hot springs abound in Hainan and the best way to enjoy them is to stay where they rise from the depths of the land. We dive into them or/and we drink them and it feels good. At Natian, for example, 67 basins of different sizes and functions are embedded in the forest. Some, under cascading springs, others fragrant, embellished with flowers or herbs from the Chinese pharmacopoeia. Hotels have this blessing of nature in the paradisiacal tropical environment of the forest
Boao: Forum and Medical Tourism
Since 2002, following the example of Davos, the Asian Economic Forum has been held here, on the proposal of President Xi Jinping. This year, it focused in part on the environment and sustainable development. The vast Leisure Park of the Forum has also featured the famous zero “waste” coffee machine! Also featured, these traditions dear to the heart of the Chinese people: visitors were able to discover women of the minority Li ethnic group, in traditional costume, weaving the wonderful brocades that made them famous.
In China, health is a priority. In 2013, Boao Lencheng began to explore a new model of international medical tourism. Today, its high-level equipment, its advanced techniques in most conditions, its genetic research center, among others, have built its place on the market and consolidates it day by day.
Hainan, the new Mecca of Duty Free
Some figures to be convinced, they are provided by the provincial Department of Commerce. In 2021, offshore duty free sales reached 60.2 billion yuan, 8.45 billion euros.; the number of buyers amounted to 9.7 million and 53.5 million products were purchased. Hardly believable, but true.
In Sanya, where the architectural lines of the shopping complexes are of rare beauty, 120,000 m2 are devoted to high-end duty free. In front of the shops of the 300 world famous brands, whatever the time, long queues form. About 30,000 customers per day. 99% Chinese. And we are in the People’s Republic of China, by the sea. And a stone’s throw (perhaps a little more!) from the Mall is the base of the Chinese army’s nuclear submarines. The South China Sea is a sensitive site, yes!
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