Hainan Island: when to go and what to see. What washes Hainan: sea or ocean How to get there and where to live

The magnificent tropical island of Hainan is a separate province of the People's Republic of China, especially popular among beach lovers surrounded by unique flora and fauna. In addition, fans of diving and families with small children fly here, as this truly paradise island offers ideal recreation opportunities for all categories of tourists. Moreover, Hainan attracts vacationers with its excellent weather conditions - the sun shines over the island almost 300 days a year. The average annual air temperature in this part of China is +25 degrees Celsius, and the water temperature is even higher - +26 degrees. The best holiday months are the months from March to October, while the coolest months are December, January and February.

Where to relax in Hainan?

In total, there are four main resorts on the Chinese island of Hainan that are popular among tourists. These are the cities of Sanya, Yalongwan, Dadonghai and Sanyavan. Regardless of the chosen resort, it is worth remembering that all the beaches at local resorts are municipal, and, as a rule, they are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay - umbrellas, sun loungers, toilets and fresh water showers. As for the quality of the beaches, on Hainan Island the entire coastline is covered with fine and soft sand, and in most places the entrance to the water is very smooth and gradual, which will be appreciated by parents vacationing with small children. The most expensive and elite area is considered to be Yalongwan, located almost three dozen kilometers from Sanya. This place is known for its wide white sand beaches, where expensive luxury resorts and hotels are located, as well as the largest diving centers, spas and beauty salons. In addition, Yalong Bay has the cleanest and clearest water, and the sea is calm and slightly cooler than in other parts of the island. However, there is practically no evening or night entertainment here, for which you will need to go to Sanya. Such a trip will cost about 50 yuan (about 285 rubles) one way.

Just three or four kilometers from Sanya is the Dadonghai resort, especially popular among surfers who come here for the “right” winds. However, when choosing this place to relax, it is worth remembering that the beaches of Dadonghai are often crowded not only with tourists, but also with local residents who come here in large groups and entire families. Often the Chinese come to the beach not to soak up the sun or frolic in the water, but to simply sit on the shore and look at the sea and white-skinned tourists.

Not far from the Sanya airport is the youngest and developing resort of this island - Sanyawan. The main disadvantage of this place is that all the beaches are located across the road from the hotels. In addition, the water here is not as clear as in expensive Yalunwan, but this small minus can be fully compensated by the stunning surrounding landscapes, which you can admire endlessly and which amaze with their indescribable beauty and riot of colors.

The most popular resort today is the city of Sanya. It is also known as the Chinese Hawaii for its stunning beaches and scenic views. Sanya has tropical vegetation and long, clean beaches, some of which are even quiet and secluded. In addition, a comfortable climate always reigns in Sanya, and the infrastructure is well developed. This place has become especially popular in recent years among Russian tourists, as well as residents of the northern part of China who come here to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

What to do on vacation?

Hainan Island does not have such an abundance of cultural and historical attractions as, for example, in Beijing, Hong Kong or Shanghai, but this is more than compensated by the mass of natural beauties. While vacationing in Hainan, it is worth visiting the magnificent cape called the Land of Sky and Sea, the Monkey Island nature reserve with hundreds, or even thousands of these tailed inhabitants, the butterfly gorge or the mountain called Sleeping Mao Mountain. The most popular attraction of these places is the Ma An volcano, fifteen kilometers from Haikou. An observation deck was built along the diameter of the crater of this volcano, from which fantastic panoramic views of the volcano’s neck, covered with frozen lava, and the surrounding area open. Animal lovers should visit Dongshan Safari Park. In one part of this park you can see lions, tigers and bears roaming freely, while the second part of the park presents more peaceful flora and fauna that is not dangerous for tourists. Here you can walk, while moving around the first part of the reserve is only allowed in special off-road vehicles with guides. By the way, it is in this safari park that you can see the unique tiger lion, which began to be bred in China in 2001.

Hainan will not disappoint diving enthusiasts either. The rich underwater world of the South China Sea has provided a steady influx of divers to this part of the Middle Kingdom for several years in a row. The average visibility in the waters is 20 meters, and you can dive here all year round, thanks to the absence of strong currents and a comfortable climate. However, sometimes the echoes of storms passing to the south reach Hainan, and then the place of divers is taken by surfers who miss the winds. The most popular diving spots are Hou Hai Bay, where you can admire underwater grottoes, rocks and colorful corals, Fen Dze Jou Dao Island, Yalong Bay with extensive coral colonies, and Xiao Du Hai Bay, where the depth reaches 15 meters. However, the best place for deep-sea diving is Pirates Island, also known as Wuzhizhou, three dozen kilometers from Sanya. You can get here by boat in just a quarter of an hour, and the cost of diving is about 100 US dollars (about 3,550 rubles) per person. For this price, tourists can dive from the side of a boat, and diving near the shore will be cheaper, but the impressions there will not be the same. Pirates Island is known among divers for its unique underwater plants, corals and amazingly clear water, where visibility reaches 27 meters.

Tourists can relax after an active holiday in one of the many spas or massage centers in Hainan. It offers high-quality traditional massages, mineral water baths, as well as other beauty and health treatments. In recent years, even individual spa tours to Hainan have become popular, when vacationers fly to spa hotels to enjoy local treatments and massages. Prices for the centers' services range from 200 yuan (about 1,143 rubles) for a massage. Complex procedures, including visits to mineral baths and massages, cost about 320 - 370 yuan for two hours (1,828 - 2,114 rubles). The legendary Chinese gua sha massage, which restores blood circulation and perfectly relieves fatigue, will cost about 120 yuan (about 685 rubles) for half an hour. In addition, there are many medical institutions on the island where skin, pulmonary, urological diseases, hypertension, osteochondrosis and many other ailments are treated. By the way, in these clinics any surgical intervention is excluded, and healing occurs using natural medicines and traditional Chinese methods of treatment.

What to buy in Hainan?

Shopping is not a priority holiday destination in Hainan, but there are plenty of shopping centers, markets and shops where you can buy gifts for friends and family, as well as memorable souvenirs. The most popular goods that are usually brought from Hainan Island are pearls and various products made from them, rock crystal, green tea, as well as the finest high-quality silk, silk products, porcelain and various Buddhist items. The most prestigious shops are located on Haixudonglu Street in the island's capital, Haikou. Here you can buy shoes, clothes and jewelry. For artistic crafts and creations of local craftsmen, it is better to go to the market located on the Cape of the Land of Sky and Sea, and the largest shopping centers, where you can immediately buy gifts for the whole family, are located in Sanya on Liberation Street, which runs in the very center.

As for purchasing fur coats, for which many tourists go to China, you can make a very profitable purchase at the resorts of Hainan. You can buy a short mink coat in island stores for an average of 1,000 US dollars (about 35,500 rubles), and a high-quality long fur product for 1,500 - 1,700 dollars (about 53,250 - 60,351 rubles). By the way, when making purchases, do not forget that in China you can and should bargain. Here you can negotiate a discount of up to $100 or even more, depending on the starting price and the accommodating nature of the seller. Another advantage of fur shopping on the island is the fact that there is no limit on the number of exported fur products, as on the mainland.

How to get there and where to live?

In addition to purchasing ready-made package tours to Hainan, tourists can buy air tickets on their own. There are regular direct flights from Moscow that will take travelers to the paradise island in ten hours. The cost of such a one-way flight averages 13,000 - 17,000 rubles as of April 2014. You can also fly to Hainan Island via Hong Kong, Shanghai or Beijing by transferring on domestic flights in these cities. When planning an independent trip, do not forget that most of the hotels on the island are five-star, and there are almost no hotels of a lower class. All “fours” are located on the second line of the sea and differ strikingly in the quality of service and infrastructure. The most popular hotels in Yalong Bay are Aegean Conifer Suites Resort Sanya 5 and Crowne Plaza Sanya Hotel 5 *, which represent the optimal combination of price and quality. Those who want to make their life easier and immediately buy a ready-made tour should expect a price of 39,000 - 42,000 rubles per person for a week-long tour to a five-star hotel, including flights and breakfast at the hotel. If you choose an all-inclusive food system, then the cost of such a tour more than doubles, to 100,000 - 120,000 rubles. Also, travel agencies regularly run promotions, reducing prices for tours to Hainan, offering a week's vacation for 27,000 - 31,000 rubles.

The favorite place for beachgoers traveling to China is Hainan. The vacation, reviews of which we will analyze in this article, on this paradise island is unforgettable. Hainan is already a well-trodden path for Russian tourists. Every year, many Siberians and residents of the Far East warm their bones under the tropical sun and treat ailments in healing springs.

The name "Hainan" is translated from Chinese as "an island lying south of the sea." The name is more than accurate. Hainan lies in the far south of the country. It is also the second largest island in China (after Taiwan). It was once part of Eurasia. And even now it is separated from mainland China only by a narrow strait. The area of ​​the island is thirty-four thousand square kilometers. About eight thousand years ago, numerous volcanoes erupted in Hainan. Now they have gone out, but they have left behind a memory - healing thermal springs. And this circumstance makes a holiday in Hainan not only enjoyable, but also healthy.

Arriving on the bucolic island, it is hard to believe that in the Middle Ages this was a place of exile for nobles disliked by the emperor. Now it has turned into a resort. True, this only happened in 1988, when Hainan was separated into a separate province and the rapid development of the tourism industry began. You can come here either on a tour or on your own. Guests are always welcome here.

Nature and climate. When to go on vacation?

The only truly tropical island, if we talk about China, is Hainan. Holidays, reviews of which make you want to come here, are not recommended here only in winter. But more than three hundred days a year the sky over Hainan is clear. This island is deservedly called East Hawaii. Here you can find all the surroundings that are typical of tropical resorts: lush green palm trees, coconuts, bananas, turquoise warm sea, white sand beaches. The average annual air temperature here is +24 degrees, and the water is twenty-six. Corals grow there with their colorful life of reef inhabitants, so holidays on Hainan Island are also attractive for divers.

Russian tourists from the eastern part of the country also come here in the winter months, especially to celebrate the New Year and Christmas. The climate at this time is similar to the Red Sea resorts of Egypt: +24 degrees during the day, and cool evenings.

Tourists consider the best time to visit Hainan to be from November to April. Below we will give a summary of what is good about the tropical island of China in spring and summer. But what you should avoid is coming to Hainan during the holiday period (late January or early February). Prices during this period soar to unprecedented heights, and the level of service drops due to the influx of domestic tourists.

How to get to Hainan Island

Russian cities are connected to eastern Hawaii only by charters during the tourist season. You can fly to Almaty on a regular flight, and from there to Hainan, with a transfer in the city of Urumqi. Tourists also travel to the tropical island by domestic airlines via Hong Kong, as well as Beijing and Shanghai (mainland China).

Hainan has two international airports. The first - "Camellia" - is located in the capital of the island, Haikou. This city is in the north, while the main resorts of eastern Hawaii are in the south. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to choose, then choose Phoenix Airport in Sanya as your point of arrival. This city is the center of the entire resort Riviera of Hainan. In principle, a visa can be issued directly upon arrival at Sanya airport, but experienced tourists strongly do not recommend doing this if you are traveling on your own and are not included in the group list.

Free buses run from Camellia to the center of Haikou. Travel time is half an hour. A taxi ride will cost about one hundred yuan. Regular buses run from Phoenix Airport to various resorts on the southern tip of the island. A trip to Sanya will cost ten yuan, to Dadonghai - 20, to Yalong Bay - 30.

Transport connections on Hainan Island

Excellent roads connect all key settlements. A highway runs along the tip of the island. You can get around East Hawaii not only by buses and taxis, but also by motorcycle and pedicabs. However, the fare in this case also depends on the weight of the passenger. You should negotiate the price with the rickshaw driver in advance.

There is also a railway on the island. The trains are fast and very comfortable, unlike those in mainland China. Tourists are warned that the ticket, which costs an average of eighty-five yuan, should be kept until the end of the journey. You will need it to exit the station at your point of arrival.

Holidays in Hainan are impossible without visiting Monkey Island. It can be reached by cable car. Interestingly, regular buses in Hainan travel not only between populated areas. There are many routes going to tourist places. Bus No. 102 goes to Sanyawan Bay, and No. 2 and 4 go to Dudonghai. Minibuses also run to Dragon of Asia Bay, World's End Park, and Nanshan Temple.

Sanya is connected to the capital of the island, Haikou, by regular (every twenty minutes) bus service. The main station is located on Jie Fan Avenue. Taxis on the island are only official - with a meter and even a terminal for bank cards. Tariffs are indicated on the windshield or rear door of the car.

Popular resorts

Holidays in China, on the island of Hainan, will appeal to all types of tourists. Surfers are attracted by the ideal winds that blow here, creating the right wave. All hotels in this resort are located on the first line from the sea. But the municipal beaches of Dadonghai are often crowded, since local vacationers also come to the beach along with European tourists. The Chinese love not so much to sunbathe and swim, but to gather in large groups and discuss something vigorously and loudly. You need to get used to this specificity... or avoid their gathering places.

The most expensive and fashionable hotels are concentrated in the Yalongwan resort, which is twenty-five kilometers from Sanya (south of Hainan Island). Holidays with children will be ideal anywhere if the time is chosen for it well. However, you should avoid Dadonghai with its fresh breeze and sporty resort style. Sanyavan (near Phoenix Airport) may experience turbid seas. However, the beauty of the surrounding nature completely compensates for this. It’s good to settle down with a small child in quiet and respectable Yalunwan. A teenager will find a lot of fun in Sanya. But in this center of the Hainan Riviera, almost all the hotels are located across the road from the beaches.

By the way, about the coasts. They are all sandy, free and very well maintained. There are lifeguards on duty everywhere, there is a shower, toilet, umbrellas, sun loungers and sun loungers.

Hainan: holidays in March, April and May

Is it worth coming to a tropical island in the first month of spring? When frosts are still severe in Russia (and especially in Siberia), visiting Hainan is like visiting paradise. Reviews claim that in the first month of spring, the weather on the island is very comfortable for a northerner. Even in early March, the air warms up to +26 degrees during the day, and the South China Sea gives warmth. The nights also cease to be cool. In the southern bays, where all the sea disturbances are concentrated, the sea gradually fades away.

Holidays in Hainan in April cannot be called budget. This is peak season. There is no rain in mid-spring, the sea is calm, and the thermometer does not show any extreme temperatures. During the day +29, at night +21 degrees. This fertile time continues until the end of April and the first rains - the harbingers of the “wet season”. In the last month of spring, the monsoon begins to blow in the tropical climate zone, bringing heavy rainfall. But a holiday in Hainan in May cannot be called “stained”. Reviews claim that it rains only in the evening and at night, and by morning everything dries out and shines with washed freshness. In addition, as reviews say, the southern resorts are slightly protected from rain by the mountains that divide the island almost in half. When it rains in Haikou, Sanya can be dry. The sun is already scorching with might and main, and the temperature during the day reaches more than thirty degrees in the shade.

Holidays in Hainan in June, July and August

There is no need to pretend: in the summer months (and in the autumn too, until the beginning of November) a humid monsoon blows over the island. It cannot be said that it cools the air. The thermometer in June stays at the same level as in May (about thirty degrees). But even if it doesn’t rain, the air is filled with moisture. Therefore, heart patients, hypertensive patients, and asthmatics should avoid traveling to Hainan in the summer months. The sea begins to get very stormy. The so-called typhoon corridor runs north of the island, but gusty winds and high storm waves can ruin a holiday in Hainan in July.

But tourists can take full advantage of the benefits of the “low season”. Hoteliers are offering unprecedented discounts to lure customers. Tourists warn that, despite the high clouds, they should not neglect sunscreen. The luminary in tropical latitudes will burn through the white skin even behind a curtain of dense clouds.

As a bonus for dedication, Hainan provides summer tourists with plenty of exciting experiences. The Duan Wu-Jie (Dragon Boat Festival) festival has been celebrated annually in June for two thousand years. It is impossible to name the exact date of this colorful event. The holiday is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, on the fifth day of the fifth month. Would you like to celebrate Valentine's Day for the second time a year? It is the seventh day of the seventh month (late July or August). The same romantic fever that sweeps Europe and America around the date of February 14th is observed in Hainan, only with Chinese characteristics.

Therapeutic holiday

The violent volcanic activity that shook the island many thousands of years ago left behind many thermal springs and mineral waters. When combined with traditional Chinese medicine, Hainan's spa resorts work wonders. Staying on the island will heal the organs of the gastrointestinal tract; swimming in radon and mineral pools of different temperatures will banish pulmonary diseases, skin, gynecological and urological ailments. Blood pressure is optimized, you will forget about osteochondrosis and rheumatism for a long time.

Therapeutic holidays in Hainan use only traditional Chinese methods of therapy in combination with medicinal herbs and other natural preparations. The most famous such healing center is the Garden of Longevity. It is located in Dadonghai District and is located in the Pearl River Garden Hotel. If you are on vacation in Sanya, you can buy a health course at the San Yi Tang center. At the Yalongwan resort at the Cactus Resort hotel, a branch of this medical institution opened not long ago. Here you can undergo not only a course of procedures, but also conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of the body. Experienced doctors will develop an individual program.

It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced traveler or have just begun to conquer the expanses of our magnificent planet, China is a country that will definitely remain in your heart forever, and you will want to return here again and again. You can combine business with pleasure and go to the south of China, where you can see plenty of beautiful landscapes, soak up the sun and at the same time touch on the history of one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Perhaps the most popular destination is the tropical island of Hainan, and in this article we will take a closer look at it and find out why it attracts many tourists to its expanses every year.

Sunbathe, explore, heal

Holidays in China on the island of Hainan are not only about the presence of snow-white beaches with umbrellas. On the island you can learn about the culture of local peoples, admire the views of the mountains, improve your health in springs with hot healing water, and also try unusual exotic fruits. And the cleanest ecological situation, which is closely monitored, the presence of a huge network of interesting routes for tourists and high-quality roads will make your vacation incredibly comfortable.

Where is the island

Hainan Island is a province of the People's Republic of China, which is located in the south of the state; for convenience, below you can see where it is located on the map.
The island covers an area of ​​33,920 square meters. km, the length of the coast is 1500 km. The name of the island, if translated into Russian, will sound like “an island south of the sea.”

Hainan Island Map

How to get there from Moscow

There are two international airports in Hainan - in the cities of Haikou and Sanya. They accept not only international flights, but also domestic ones. Charter flights from a variety of airlines from different cities fly to the island, and Moscow is no exception. Basically, they all end their route at Sanya Airport, as this place is the center of tourism on the tropical island. You can also fly on a regular Moscow - Sanya flight, which is operated by Transaero. The flight time will take approximately 10 hours. There is another way - to get to Hainan with transfers. These could be the following options:

• Fly to one of the major cities of China (Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai) and transfer to a domestic flight to the island. Hainan.
• Take a connecting flight with a transfer in other Asian cities - Dubai, Seoul, etc.

Most often, if it is not a direct flight, they fly with a stop in Beijing. This way you can combine a visit to the capital of China and a vacation at sea, but the choice, of course, is yours.

Best holiday destinations

This tropical island has several resorts that not only boast pristine blue water beaches, but also the attractions and entertainment options that have made China popular in the beach holiday scene. Let's look at the best of them.

Sanya

Sanya used to serve as a refuge for officials who fell out of favor with the Chinese emperor, and this is hard to believe, because now this city has all the infrastructure for tourism. The excellent ecology and local climate make holidays here possible all year round. The cleanest beach area and gentle clear water attract family vacation lovers here, and diving enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of the underwater world.

If you love shopping, then the central part of the Sanya City resort will be the best place for this. It is here that a large number of fashion boutiques, shops, restaurants, markets of various types, as well as a large number of fast food establishments are concentrated. Around Sanya City there are other recreational areas - Dadonghai, Yalongwan and Sanyawan.

Sanyawan is the longest zone and is located closest to the airport and city center. Sanyavan attracts many with its prices for accommodation, food, and entertainment. Here they are quite affordable, not as overpriced as in other places.

Dadonghai is popular among people who prefer active recreation. There are plenty of diving training centers and water equipment rentals here, and Russian tourists feel almost at home, because there are many establishments with Russian names and cuisine.

The Yalongwan resort area is located east of the center and is the most expensive in Sanya. People on a limited budget do not come here, as the atmosphere of wealth and luxury reigns here. Huge villas, private apartments and luxurious expensive hotels - this is all Yalongwan.

Haikou

Haikou City is the island's capital and is where most tourists come by bus and train. Many of them immediately go further to the southern resorts, but it also makes sense to stay here. It is in this city that you can touch upon ancient history if you go to the historical center, where ancient buildings are located.

If you drive a little further from the city, you can see historical monuments of the famous Ming dynasty, which ruled the Chinese Empire for almost 300 years: Wugong Temple, Hai Rui’s tomb, and the academy named after Qiu Jin (a famous Chinese scientist). 30 kilometers away there is another interesting place - an observation deck on the edge of the crater of the long-inactive Ma An volcano.

As for the beaches, there are both paid and free beaches. For example, it is worth visiting Holiday Beach, where you can get there by bus or taxi. Admission is free, but an additional fee will be charged for an umbrella and sun lounger. In the west of the city there is a free beach called Xixiu, where surfers love to spend time.

Wenchang

The city of Wenchang is located in the northeast of the island. Hainan has a beautiful crescent shape. A city with warm sunny weather, washed by the sea on all sides. It itself is considered a landmark of the island. Previously, tourists rarely visited this city, and it was only popular among the Chinese, but every year more and more tourists from different countries visit it. All thanks to the fact that there are many beautiful sea bays and picturesque nature.

Here you can also visit many interesting and beautiful places, for example, a rock park, the Tonggu Great Barrier Reef, coconut plantations, the Temple of Confucius, a natural reserve of mango trees, a spaceport, as well as Gaulun Bay, which will certainly amaze you with its beauty and azure shores.

The city's cuisine is also popular among tourists. Here you can try the famous Hainanese tea, delicious seafood dishes and Wenchang-style chicken. Relaxing on the beach along with trips to picturesque places in the city and suburbs will definitely make your vacation unforgettable.

Qionghai

Located in the east of the province. The city is mainly populated by immigrants from Macau. In addition to colorful beaches, there are several famous historical monuments and simply interesting places. These are coconut rural courtyards, the picturesque areas of Baishiling and Boao, Guantang warm springs, the Baishi and Jingniu ridges, as well as the sculptural ensemble of the Red Army Women's Detachment.

There is good news for extreme sports enthusiasts, because one of the main entertainments on the island is drifting along the gorge of the picturesque Wanquanhe River. You can also play shooting games using water pumps if you wish. In general, in Qionghai you can relax on the beach, soak in a hot spring, enjoy picturesque nature, and try extreme entertainment. It’s not for nothing that it is called the bright pearl of the East Coast.

Weather and climate throughout the year

On about. Hainan has bright sunny weather almost all year round, and the question of when is the best time to go there on vacation can only be asked by tourists who are going there for the first time. If this sounds like you, then read on and find out all the details about the weather in this province.

On the land

The average annual temperature on the island is +24 °C; in winter, the average air temperature does not exceed +22 degrees; many may think that this is cool, but due to humidity, this temperature turns into a comfortable one. But in summer, the thermometer can reach +30 °C and above, so for those who cannot tolerate the heat, it is better not to visit the island at this time. The golden season lasts from November to May, when the flow of tourists is highest. The island is considered a “typhoon corridor”, so windsurfing fans can often be found here.

Water temperature

The average water temperature on the island is +24 °C, but varies depending on the time of year. In winter - +23...+24 degrees, in summer - +29...+30 degrees.

The best beaches on the island

All resorts in tropical China have many municipal beaches with umbrellas, sun loungers and showers. They are all smooth, with white sand and warm, azure-colored water. The concentration of Russian tourists is in four bays in the south of the island: Sanya, Sanyawan, Dadonghai and Yalongwan. It is very convenient to enter the water, no matter where you relax, due to the gentle and smooth slope. So, if you have small children, you can safely go to any beach.

By the way, once you get to the beach, you will understand that its territory is divided between hotels that overlook it. But don’t rush to leave, because you can sunbathe and swim wherever you want, and no one has the right to prohibit you from doing so. Entrance, showers, changing rooms and toilets are free almost everywhere, with the exception of sun loungers and umbrellas, for which you will have to pay about 20-50 CNY. Typical beach activities, such as a banana boat or a boat, are also available; for them you will have to pay from 150 CNY, and for fishing on a boat - all 1000 CNY.

More specifically, for the cleanest water and diving, go to Yalong Bay, because here are the largest diving centers on the island. But if you are a surfing enthusiast, then the beaches in Dadonghai are suitable for you. But, unfortunately, at the height of the season, the beaches of Dadonghai are crowded, because, in addition to tourists, the Chinese like to relax here, which cannot be said about the beaches of Yalongwan.

Unlike Russian tourists, they do not particularly like to swim and sunbathe, but live further from the sea because it is not so expensive. Their favorite thing to do on the beach is to admire the expanses of the sea and watch the visitors. This is the difference in mentality. In Sanyavan Bay, the water is not as clean as in the above-mentioned places, and in order to get to the sea, you will have to constantly cross the road. But all this is compensated by unique landscapes that you will not find in other parts of the island.

Sights and excursions

Relax exclusively on the beach while on the island. Hainan is a crime, because there are a large number of places that are worth seeing with your own eyes.

To get acquainted with the culture and customs of Buddhism, you should go to Nanshan Temple. In addition to the temple itself, you should definitely visit the observation deck, which offers a wonderful view of the sea and a huge statue of the bodhisattva. Not far from Nanshan Temple stands the tallest statue of the goddess Guanyin in the world, next to which there is a sanctuary where you will see many sculptures of the Buddha himself.

If you drive 30 km from Sanya, you will find the Bethel Nat Ethnic Park, which is dedicated to the traditions and customs of the local Li and Meow peoples. Throughout the park there are houses where you can get to know these peoples and their culture better.

By the way, there are a lot of parks and nature reserves in Hainan, because the nature here is worth admiring and protecting. One of them is called “Monkey Island,” where more than 2,000 representatives of our tailed friends live. If you ask what is the most picturesque place in China, then this is it, because you can only get to this park by cable car, which offers a magnificent view of the island and the South China Sea.

Here you can go fishing on rafts, and then try your own caught fish in restaurants nearby or try other seafood dishes.

Another must-see place is the Heavenly Grottoes.

The Heavenly Grottoes are one of the most ancient places in all of China. This natural park was founded over 1000 years ago!

The South Mountain located there attracts people from all over the world not only with its beautiful views, but also with historical monuments. Among them is the Temple of the Dragon King of the South China Sea, which houses his statue, the Wall of Records at the very top of the mountain, and in the Taoist Park there is an entire Sanya Natural History Museum.

There are also many more beautiful places that you can’t visit in one day - this is the “Edge of the World” park, which is a beach with fancy stones, the butterfly museum-reserve (a great pastime for children), “Pirate Island” with beautiful beaches and many entertainment for every taste, “Western Island” for lovers of diving and other sea activities (fishing, scooter, water skiing), the “Flying World” bird park, where you can see the most unusual species of tropical birds, a zoo of crocodiles and tigers, a pearl museum with pearl plantation, a crystal museum, and many more zoos and nature reserves where you can enjoy the abundance of tropical plants and the diversity of the animal world.

Among tourists, a very popular excursion to the crater of the Ma An volcano, which is located 14 km southwest of Qiongshan and 27 km from Haikou. The Ma An volcano was extinct more than 40-50 thousand years ago, and now it is one of the best-preserved inactive volcanoes. Not far from it are the active craters of the Leihuling and Luojingpan volcanoes. The entire area around the volcano and on the volcano itself is equipped. Artificially made steps made of magma lead to the crater; the crater was surrounded by railings along the edges and an observation deck was made, from where you can clearly see the dense bushes and tropical relict plants that grew directly on the solidified lava. If you go downstairs, there is a palm grove with an open-air restaurant, where there is a large stage where folklore performances by the local Li and Meow peoples are given.

Active life and entertainment

If nature and historical monuments are not enough for you, then we will compile a guide to entertainment on Hainan Island especially for you and find out what you can do here for both adults and children.

For adults

If you want to be culturally enriched and have a pleasant evening, then welcome to the theaters of Hainan. Among them are the Qiong Opera, which has a history of more than 300 years, the Qionshan Gongzi Puppet Theater, which gives performances of the traditions of the Qiong Opera, as well as the Linggao Puppet Theater, in which a person and a puppet play the same role and periodically replace each other.

Golf lovers will also be pleased, with 18 golf courses spread across the province. All courses meet international standards and will satisfy the needs of the most experienced golfer.

Guests of the island are also invited to a variety of water activities to suit every taste and budget. This includes spearfishing, sea fishing, and diving with a variety of programs depending on the level of training. It is worth highlighting the thermal springs and spa treatments. Most tourists will tell you that it is worth trying at least one healing treatment in the tradition of Chinese medicine. Believe me, you will remember these procedures for a long time, because it is not for nothing that Chinese treatment methods are known throughout the world for their effectiveness.

And, of course, you shouldn’t leave China without learning how a real Chinese tea ceremony is performed. This is a special Chinese art with strict rules that the Chinese have been keeping for many centuries. In addition to participating in the ceremony itself, you can also learn about the beneficial properties of different types of tea and how to brew them correctly. There you can buy the tea you like and bring it home, so that from time to time you can remember your Chinese adventures.

Hainan for children

Children will definitely not be bored at the resorts of Hainan. Most hotels have equipped playgrounds, small pools with slides, a daytime entertainment program for children and children's menus in cafes and restaurants.

With children you can visit the recently opened water park in Sanya. It is divided into three zones: children's, children's and adolescents' and adults'. There is also a wave pool that kids will definitely love. It is also divided into two parts: in the first, small waves form, and in the other, the waves are more reminiscent of a storm at sea.

Various parks and zoos are a must for visiting with children, but one of them is worth special attention. It is located on the shores of Lake Dongshanhu and is the largest zoo in Asia. Here you can see animals from all over the world. The peculiarity of this zoo is that the animals do not live in cramped cages, but walk around the vast territory of the zoo, which is as close as possible to the animals’ natural habitat. Peace-loving animals can be petted and fed, but dangerous predators such as tigers and lions can only be viewed from a jeep or bus.

Night clubs and establishments

For lovers of nightlife, Hainan has plenty of places where you can spend time until dawn. There are bars, clubs and restaurants that operate at night in every resort on the island, but the city of Sanya deserves special mention. It is in this place that a large number of night entertainment venues are concentrated, where life begins at 8 pm and ends at 5 am. Entrance is free, but in some clubs you need to pre-book a table in advance, which, of course, is not free. But the money you deposit in advance can be spent on drinks and snacks later.

If you are going to spend a noisy night somewhere, we advise you to decide in advance what you need. The point is that all establishments are very different. There are clubs and bars aimed at the Chinese, who are very fond of karaoke, and there are no discotheques or DJs. And there are places where they play very good music, you can dance, drink alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. It must be said that all establishments have a modern and comfortable environment.

The resort of Sanya has a Bar Street in the city center. This is where most of the night entertainment spots are concentrated. The most popular nightclubs among tourists are SOHO and M2. You can also find similar establishments at some hotels, where you can go without problems, even if you are not a guest.

In a word, if you want night entertainment, then there should be no problems with this.

Cafes, restaurants, housing, transport

For every tourist, before traveling, it is necessary to decide on three important aspects. The cost of your vacation and its quality will depend on them. These are housing, food and internal movement. Let's consider the possible options.

Where to live

There are several accommodation options on the island:

• Hotels (rooms, apartments).
• Private housing (villas, apartments).
• Hostels.

As for hotels, in principle, you can choose accommodation for any budget. The cost of living directly depends on the level of the hotel, distance from the sea and the holiday season. An important factor is in which bay of the island the hotel is located.

Dadonghai Bay is an “economy” option, although there are also expensive offers. This place is ideal for diving.

Sanyavan Bay is the “golden mean”. The service here is very good and you can find very interesting hotel accommodation options for any budget.

But Yalong Bay is the most expensive option. It is considered the cleanest, with the most beautiful landscapes. This place is home to famous world-class brand hotels, and the housing prices are accordingly.

At any of the island's resorts you can choose private housing options. Typically, these options are used by tourists who travel independently without travel agencies or for a long period of time or in a large group.

Private owners have offers at different prices. These can be villas, houses, apartments. The cheapest housing options in the private sector are in the north of the island. Hainan, where the city of Haikou is located, also has the most inexpensive hotels.

There are also hostels in the province. The conditions in them are different, not always comfortable, but the prices for accommodation are minimal. If you want to settle on this housing option, then look for real reviews and be prepared for any surprises.

How to get around

The transport infrastructure on the island is well developed and is represented by a network of railways and roads.

If you decide to explore Hainan on your own, then trains, buses, taxis and even auto-rickshaws are at your service.

It is very convenient to travel from city to city by train; the fare costs 80 Chinese yuan.

Taxi services cost 8-10 yuan per ride and 2 per kilometer. But we must take into account that during rush hour (5-8 pm) it is problematic to find a free car, and Chinese taxi drivers can be cunning and not turn on the meter.

Buses run from 7 to 23, tickets for up to 2 yuan are not a problem, but it is not recommended to ride as a “hare”, since all buses have video surveillance.

The most exotic and most expensive type of transport is pedicabs. Although you can always find a common language with the driver and get a discount on travel. To board you will need 8-9 yuan, and per kilometer they usually ask for 2-3.

Where to eat

The issue of nutrition must be thought through in advance. If you have sufficient funds, you can find hotels that offer all-inclusive services. There won't be any problems with food, but don't expect much variety either.

In other cases, no matter where you live, you can eat in cafes and restaurants or buy food in stores. Self-cooking is only available when living in the private sector.

As on any tropical island, exotic fruits are found in abundance here. They are very tasty, juicy, and a pleasure to eat.

Hainan also has a lot of seafood. You can taste them in local cafes and restaurants, you can buy them fresh at the market and cook them yourself, if possible.

Regarding food prices, the situation is the same as with housing. So, on Dadonghai, lunch will be the cheapest, and on Yalunwan, the most expensive, but of excellent quality.

The most important thing is, which island resort you choose to stay at, there are a large number of cafes and restaurants of different levels everywhere. You can opt for Chinese establishments that serve traditional Chinese food. I must say that it is spicy and can be damp. Therefore, if you don’t like this kind of food, then you can find places with European, American, Indian and Russian cuisine.

Local stores, of which there are also plenty, sell products both familiar to our tourists and those that are not entirely clear to us. The most famous are the large supermarkets "Wanhao" and "Tiancheng". Many shopping centers also have grocery stores, the largest:

• "Summer";
• "Minju";
• "Tianhong";
• "Ifan."

You can also recommend visiting local markets, for example, “First Market”, “Hungan”. Here you can buy fresh fruits, a variety of seafood, tea and other local products cheaper. The best time to visit the markets is in the morning. Bargaining is appropriate on them, and keep in mind that for weighted goods the price is indicated per half a kilo, not per kilogram.

When visiting local markets, be very careful, because tourists attract robbers, and there are also sellers who are not entirely honest. Stay alert.

And, of course, what is a resort without street food vendors. There are a sufficient number of them here. But whether to buy from them or not is a purely personal matter.

Shopping in Hainan

A pleasant time spent in nature and the sea coast can be diversified by shopping, because on this island there is a lot of things worth at least looking at, and buying something as a souvenir. Here you can buy a wide variety of goods from local authentic to goods from famous world brands.

Trading areas are represented by a variety of shops, large department stores and shopping centers, markets and private shops. Store opening hours vary depending on the owner of the outlet. If the store is under state management, then it is open from 9 to 19. The exception is large shopping centers, which close at 22:00. Private institutions work according to their own schedule. Markets are worth visiting in the morning.

You can exchange money at Bank of China branches, at hotels, at exchange offices at a train station or at the airport. The island also accepts VISA, Master Card, and American Express.

But keep in mind that you are unlikely to be able to purchase various types of local goods using a card, so you will still have to change money.

Typical goods that tourists bring home after traveling to a Chinese tropical paradise are silks, pearls, crystal, porcelain, all sorts of trinkets made from coconut shells and sea shells, various types of tea, coffee, as well as pepper and shark oil. Products made from tridacna, a large species of bivalves that live in the South China Sea, and Hainan candies can also become an unusual souvenir. The sweets are usually sold in wooden boxes and feature unusual flavors of exotic local fruits and coffee.

After shopping in Hainan, you can get some of your money back. All thanks to the tax free system introduced several years ago. According to this system, you must purchase goods worth from 800 to 5000 CNY, and then when you leave the country, 11% of the amount spent will be returned to you. However, keep in mind that this system does not work in every store, so check with the administrators for information.

Healing places of the Chinese island

Hainan is famous not only for its excellent conditions for seaside recreation, but also for its treatment centers with hot springs and various spa treatments. Here you can not only relax your soul and body, but also improve your health.

Thermal springs are scattered throughout the island, and the temperature of the water and its chemical composition are different. Depending on your health status, with the help of such sources and Chinese treatment methods, you can get rid of joint pain, gynecological diseases, respiratory diseases, improve skin condition and heal the nervous system. Traditional treatment options include Chinese massage, foot massage, acupuncture and bamboo cupping.

One of the hottest springs on the island is Guantan, the water temperature is 70-90°, it is located near the city of Qionghai. Near the spring there are resorts called “Starfish” and “Heavenly Dragon”.

120 kilometers from Sanya is the Xinglong thermal spring valley. Here you can bask in a variety of springs, both in terms of chemical composition and water temperature. There are a lot of hotels in the valley that offer a large list of services - swimming pools filled with water from thermal springs, jacuzzi (also with thermal water), regular swimming pools, saunas, gyms, bowling alleys, golf courses, tennis courts, spas and shopping centers, Chinese medicine services and much more.

If you want to visit a resort that has been included in the list of the best Chinese thermal springs, then welcome to Nantian Resort & Spa, 30 km from Sanya. There you will find 36 pools with water from different hot springs, regular pools and pools for children, cafes and restaurants. On the territory there is also a hotel “Sanya Pearl River Nantian Resort & Spa 5*”, which is famous for its service and quality of services. The hotel has 128 comfortable rooms, cottages with a private thermal pool, entertainment and gaming areas (tennis courts, golf courses, basketball court, chess and poker rooms), as well as a beauty salon, a restaurant serving local cuisine and tea house.

Pools with fish are also popular among tourists, which relieve skin diseases and relieve stress. All this is thanks to small fish that bite the skin and thus exfoliate it. For this unusual therapy, head to the Phoenix area, which is a 15-minute drive from Sanya. There is a large wellness complex there, which offers not only fish therapy, but also swimming in other healing pools, for example, in a pool with coconut milk or coffee. There are also Chinese massage, manicure and pedicure services.

So, now you have quite a lot of information about one of the islands of China, which has everything you need for a wonderful holiday. Here in Hainan, very comfortable conditions have been created for tourists. And nature, sun, gentle sea, healing springs and local color make this tropical island a very interesting holiday destination. Almost anyone here will be able to find something they like and can afford. Have a nice holiday!

Since most tourists go to Hainan mainly to relax on the beach, they are often interested in what the sea is like in Hainan. Some even believe that Hainan is washed by the ocean. Overall, it's time to look at this issue.
Hainan is a large island in the province of the same name in southern China. Its name means "south of the sea". It would seem that everything is very clear regarding this island - it is washed on all sides by the South China Sea. But in reality, everything is not quite like that. In the north, near the city of Haikou, it is also washed by the Qiongzhou Strait, which, in fact, is also part of the South China Sea. In the West, Hainan Island is washed by the Gulf of Tonkin.

Of course, during your stay in Hainan you can say that you are relaxing on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. This will not be a serious mistake, since the South China Sea really belongs to this ocean, but still, from a geographical point of view, it is more correct to say that you are relaxing on the seashore (if you are in Sanya or a neighboring resort).

Sea conditions in Hainan

We figured out the name of the sea, bay and strait that washes the island. Now it's time to look at the condition of these reservoirs. The Gulf of Tonkin and the Qiongzhou Strait are unlikely to be of interest to you, since most tourists vacation in the Sanya area, which is washed only by the South China Sea. The sea in this area is quite clean, since the Chinese government takes care of the cleanliness of the local waters, but it is still not worth swimming in the port area.
In general, the entrance to the sea is good in all the bays around Sanya, but we like the beaches in Yalong Bay and Haitang Bay the most. In turn, Dadonghai Bay offers calmer water, which will be appreciated by less prepared swimmers and families with children. By the way, Hainan is one of the most famous surfing spots in Asia, although the conditions here are not as great as in Bali or Sri Lanka.