Hainan Island what sea or ocean. Hainan Island: when to go and what to see. Where is Hainan Island

The city of Sanya and its surroundings are certainly a great place to relax for tourists from Russia, as many establishments here are focused mainly on Russian guests, so do not be surprised by the ubiquitous Cyrillic alphabet.
Although the resort area of ​​Sanya, which also includes the bays of Dadonghai, Yalunwan, Haitan and Pure Water, is indeed a paradise, there are still large areas of construction sites. This situation arose due to the very rapid development of the region, which is turning into one of the most popular tourist centers in Asia. Nevertheless, Sanya is still a tropical paradise with a variety of fruit flavors, beautiful beaches and an informal atmosphere. For this, Sanya is loved by tourists from Russia and other countries. Europeans have already understood all the advantages of a holiday on the island of Hainan in China and have begun to launch charters to Sanya.

Where is the city of Sanya

Sanya City is located in the southern part of Hainan Island. It is a famous resort area in China and the second largest city in Hainan Province. A beautiful legend about a deer that turned its head is associated with this city, which is why Sanya is also known as the city of deer.
More than 10 ethnic groups such as Han, Li, Miao and Hui live in the vicinity of the city. National minorities account for 44.2% of the population. Sanya City has a long history. In ancient times, it was called Yangzhou Prefecture. Today Sanya is a modern city and a popular holiday destination. This is the place where many tropical crops are grown. There are also many tropical plants and Chinese medicinal herbs. Therefore, Sanya is called the "greenhouse".
Sanya has a tropical oceanic monsoon climate. There is a lot of sunshine throughout the year and the weather is always warm. There is no winter here, and during the wet season it does not rain as often as, for example, in Phuket and Goa.

How to get to Sanya

Sanya City has a very convenient airport, Phoenix International Airport, which allows you to get to the popular resort area in southern China directly, and not through the capital of Hainan Island, Haikou City, located in the north of the island. Although the distance between the two most important cities in Hainan is relatively short in a straight line, due to the mountain range in the center of the island, which is a national park and covered with jungle, the roads between north and south run along the coast of the island. Therefore, it turns out that the two main cities are 300 km apart.
There are train connections between Haikou and Sanya (from 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the specific train). Some special trains cross all over China and go to Hainan from Beijing and Shanghai, passing through Guangzhou.
In general, there are several ways to get to Sanya, but for tourists from Russia, there is no better option than flying on a charter flight. There are actually several reasons why even independent travelers buy tours to Hainan, and do not organize a trip on their own.

Why is it worth buying a ticket to Hainan:
1. The cost of air tickets for charter flights is usually much cheaper than the cost of air tickets for regular flights.
2. Charter flights allow you to get to Hainan directly, while a flight on regular flights will include at least one transfer.
3. Direct flight from Russia to Hainan Island as part of a tourist group allows you to visit the island without a visa, while in the case of an independent trip, you may need to obtain a Chinese visa.

As you can see, buying a tour with a direct charter flight is the best option for those who want to go to Hainan Island.
When you arrive in Sanya, you will need to get from the airport to the hotel. In most cases, the transfer is included in the price of the tourist package, but if you want to get to the hotel on your own, you can use the bus or taxi. There is even a special shuttle bus that goes from the airport and takes tourists to hotels. This bus costs 30 yuan per person and departs from the arrival gate on the ground floor. True, the bus does not call at all hotels, but mainly at the largest ones. Therefore, find out on the spot whether it is possible to check into your hotel.
A taxi from the airport to Yalong Bay costs around 100-120 yuan. A taxi to Dadonghai is a little cheaper, and a taxi to Khaitan Bay is a little more expensive.

Book a Sanya Airport Transfer

Things to do in Sanya

The most popular activities in the famous resort area in southern China are sunbathing, reading a book, swimming and walking. Here you can add photography on the beach, which is very popular among Russian tourists. If you want to enjoy both sunrise and sunset views, we recommend that you choose a hotel in Yalong Bay.
If passive recreation isn't what you're looking for, then don't worry, the resorts in southern Hainan offer a good range of activities, including jet skiing, snorkeling, biking, jungle trekking and excursions. But, to be honest, in general, the set of entertainment is not the richest. In addition, the prices for many entertainments are clearly overpriced. So, for example, for 15 minutes of water skiing you will have to pay about 200 yuan, and for a 15-minute banana ride - 180 yuan.
The cost of some excursions in Hainan is also clearly overpriced, but you still need to go on 1-2 excursions if you are visiting the island for the first time.

What to see in Sanya

Most of the interesting places on Hainan Island are located relatively close to the city of Sanya, so you do not have to travel long to get to some point of interest. At first glance, the number of attractions in this resort area is amazing, but if you look closely, you can understand that most of them can be called "dust in the eye." That is, many of these places were either created specifically to attract tourists, or their significance is associated with some beautiful legend, but these places themselves are not so interesting. So before you decide on where to go and what to see, study all the sights well and decide what you really want to see, and what is better not to waste time and money on. Excursions in Sanya are mainly sold on the basis of "One place - one excursion". That is, many excursions here include only a transfer to a certain place and a ticket to visit this place. Of course, you can visit many places on your own in one day by taxi or rented car/motorbike, but the fact is that most of these sites require a lot of time to explore. Sometimes a whole day is not enough to explore one place. Given that the cost of visiting different parks, islands and attractions is considerable, it would be foolish to pay 100-150 yuan just to check the box and take a couple of photos in some park.
In general, I repeat once again that you need to study the sights of Sanya well and choose the places that you want to visit the most. If you have the desire and opportunity to visit all or almost all the sights of this resort area of ​​China, then you can not attach importance to such a choice.
Below are just some of the popular attractions in Sanya, but full descriptions of almost all of these places are available on our website.

Yanoda forest

This is an intact tropical environment that is under protection. Here you can take part in some sports activities or just walk among the huge trees and admire the beautiful scenery.
You don't have to buy a tour to get to Yanoda, as there are special buses that go to the park from Sanya city. You immediately pay for the entrance ticket, and the bus ride is, in fact, free for you. The bus goes to many hotels. The cost of the bus + park ticket package is 170 yuan.
If you want to be more independent, you can order a taxi, but in this case you will definitely spend more money.
Despite the fact that the Yanoda forest is considered a national park, in fact it is slightly imprisoned for tourists. Walking through it does not give the same feeling as walking through national parks in Thailand or Sri Lanka, for example.

nanshan temple

Another place where you can take a break from the monotonous beach holiday is the Nanshan Temple, because it boasts a huge Buddha 108 meters high. The entrance fee is 150 yuan, and for this money you can not only see a huge Buddha statue, but also see other statues and temples. You can buy an excursion to this place, which costs about 240 yuan and includes lunch.

Pirate Island

This small island facing Haitan Bay is known as Pirate Island. This is a truly beautiful island, which can be reached by ferry in 20 minutes. But prices here reach almost unthinkable levels. Many tourists come here for snorkeling and diving, as Pirate Island is surrounded by coral reefs and is therefore great for observing the underwater world. But the Chinese took advantage of it in their own way. I don't think a 45 minute dive can cost 600 to 1000 yuan.
It is worth noting that smoking is prohibited on Pirate Island. However, even more interesting is the situation with the use of beaches. Although there are several beautiful beaches on this island, swimming is only allowed in the area near the pier. Any attempt to dip in another area will be immediately interrupted by a legion of private security guards (since the island is private), who are armed with megaphones and often yell at tourists.
Obviously, due to the position of the island, there are currents around it. It is also obvious that in order to preserve the coral reef, special care and regulation of tourist activity is needed. But the result of all this is that the beautiful island is more like a prison.

We also tried to walk around the island and forget about the blue sea, which we couldn't get into, but one walkway was closed and the other track was for golf carts and obviously not accessible to guests. It turns out that if you want to explore the island, then you need to either rent a golf cart or stay in a hotel on this island.
We do not urge you to refuse a trip to Pirate Island, but we advise you to think carefully about this and not blindly believe the words of the guides that everything is fine there and you can do whatever you want. Still, an excursion to this island costs at least 200 yuan. It is also possible to buy a ferry ticket + island entrance ticket for 168 yuan, but you will have to make your own way to the ferry departure point, which is located relatively far from many popular Sanya hotels.

Central square of Yalunvan

This is a world of beautiful works, as here you can see totem columns, totem stones and sculptures from 24 periods. Thanks to these works of art, one can understand both the primitive cult of the Chinese nation and the desire for peace, harmony and prosperity.
Here you can also visit the Shell Museum, which has an area of ​​about 3,000 square meters. This is the first such museum in China.
Butterfly Valley in Yalunvan also deserves your attention. It is located in the north of this resort area and offers the opportunity to see about 500 rare butterflies from China and around the world. Here you can admire butterflies and tropical plants from a short distance.

Landscape zone "Border between earth and sky"

This landscape area is located on the southwest coast of Sanya and is considered the boundary between heaven and earth, which is how it got its name. Here on the coast there are high cliffs, which are provided with the inscriptions "border of heaven", "border between earth and sky", "pillar of the southern sky" and "southern sea, southern sky". This landscape area is one of the most famous areas in China. In the past, Chinese mandarins (officials) lived in the area where they fled from justice. Many writers also described the local landscape in colors.
Oceanic Tropical Zoo is located in the west of the "Border between earth and sky" landscape zone. This zoo has a dolphin and sea lion hall, an aquarium, a bird hall, a waterfowl hall, a crocodile hall and a turtle pond. Every day you can watch performances of dolphins, sea lions and birds. There are over 400 sea creatures in the aquarium.

Park "Deer turned his head"

There is a peninsula between Dadonghai and Sanya Bay. The serpentine will take you to the 255 meters high peak on this peninsula. At the top there is a statue of a deer turning its head. The statue, 12 meters high, 9 meters long and 4.6 meters wide, is dedicated to the legend of a young hunter and his wife. From the top there is a beautiful view of the entire Sanya Bay, both day and night.

Yazhou old town

This old city is located in Yacheng Township, about 40 km west of Sanya City in southern Hainan. This is one of the two ancient cultural cities in Hainan, which was built between 420 and 589 years. Since the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the Old City has been the seat of the prefecture and county administration. With its long history and numerous cultural monuments, Yazhou is a famous tourist destination in Hainan and one of the most interesting attractions in the Sanya City area. The famous Yujing hot springs are located in the northwest of Yazhou. During the Zhengde period (1506-1521) in the Ming Dynasty, walls were built around the springs. Later, the wall fell, but in 1889, the head of the prefecture, Tang Yuan, rebuilt it and also built a pavilion. Today, the pavilion has long been destroyed, but the springs are almost in their original state. The water temperature here is so pleasant that you can swim at any time of the year.

Purchases

The resort area of ​​Sanya will certainly appeal to shopping lovers. There are large markets and shopping centers here, as well as many shops scattered throughout the city and its environs.
What to buy here as a souvenir or gift? A very popular commodity among tourists is pearls, which are sold here at fairly low prices. Crystal products are also popular. Local fruits and tea are other items that make great gifts. This is especially true for tea, as Hainan has many types of tea that are beneficial to health. Li embroidery and local wine can be bought for yourself and as a gift for loved ones. Also, as inexpensive souvenirs, you can use products and products made from coconut, which are very numerous here.
Read more about what you can bring from Hainan in our review article.
The main shopping areas in the south of Hainan are Dadonghai and Jifang Road in downtown Sanya. Famous shops and market include Jingrun Pearl, Niulan Art Factory, Hawkbill Nanhai Store, Guobin Market and Tianyahaijiao Shopping Street. If you want to buy seafood and agricultural products, then you should go to the market number 1. Sanya DC and Business Street are the best places to buy souvenirs. Hairun Pearl Science Museum and Jingrun Pearl Culture Museum are good places to buy pearls and related products. On Hongqi street, you can buy products made from coconut, coffee bean, cashew nut and so on.

Nutrition

If you are used to stuffing yourself with seafood and expect to do it in Hainan, then you better think again. Hainan has a variety of seafood, but the cooking methods here may differ from what you are used to. For example, here they often like to use ginger for cooking some dishes. In general, we advise you to be more picky in food, at least at first, in order to understand how your stomach relates to Chinese seafood dishes. In any case, Sanya and Dadonghai have a large selection of cafes and restaurants where you can order inexpensive Western dishes. Due to the large number of tourists from Russia, there are also many establishments in these areas that serve Russian cuisine, including borscht and dumplings. The situation is worse in the Yalunvan and Haitang Bay areas, where basically all restaurants and cafes are located on the territory of hotels. This means that the cost of food in them is quite high.

Minor Issues

Finally, I would like to warn you about a few small problems in the city of Sanya and neighboring resorts.
The first such problem is midges on the beach. Not to say that these midges constantly attack tourists and do not allow them to rest, but sometimes they really cause serious problems and greatly spoil the rest. We talked about these sand fleas and how to deal with them in a separate article.
Although Hainan can be called a tropical paradise, the atmosphere in Sanya and the resort areas around this city is far from that offered by many areas in Thailand or Vietnam. There are construction sites everywhere. Sometimes, due to construction work, it is impossible even to relax on the beach.
Also note that there is a naval base in Yalun Bay. Although this is not a problem for tourists, nevertheless, the military facility greatly spoils the overall atmosphere of a tropical paradise.
Even worse is the problem with mice. Or rats. I don't know exactly what these "tailed potatoes" are called, which often run between pools and unprotected places where they find food. It is clear that Sanya is not the only area in China where they live, but it is certainly the only area where, in my opinion, they are very brave and run through the streets without fear. It follows that you need to carefully choose accommodation and, even more so, an institution for eating.

From ancient times, no one cared about Hainan Island. There were no minerals or arable land here, it never had an important strategic value. Around 100 BC, the Chinese Han Empire decided to conquer the island and even built several fortresses on the coast. But, in the end, it was decided that “the game is not worth the candle”, and the Chinese retreated.

From that moment on, Hainan became a haven for fugitive Chinese who were hiding from political repression or from justice. There were no authorities here, and no one was ever looked for here.

Hainan was originally inhabited by the Li people, but gradually the island was colonized by the Chinese - these are the Han people. This colonization took 2000 years and was very peaceful. Even now, Li people make up 15% of the local population.

Tourists like to show the elements of Li culture, this gives the island an extra flavor. Their culture resembles a cross between Chinese and Polynesian (see photo on the left).

Compare this to what the Spaniards and the British did during the colonization of America, and you will understand that the Chinese are traditionally a peaceful nation.

The first shock here occurred in 1939, when the Japanese captured this territory. The inhabitants of the island waged a guerrilla struggle, and the Japanese in response killed everyone they could get to. Between 1939 and 1945, a third of the population died here. The Japanese used the island as a base for their invasion of Thailand and the Malay Peninsula. Japan expected success, Thailand and Singapore were captured by them.

After World War II, the island was under the control of the Chinese Kuomintang party, but in 1950 the communists of Mao Zedong retook it. It is believed that this was the main rehearsal for the assault on the stronghold of the Kuomintang party - the island of Taiwan, but the conquest of Taiwan did not take place.

Until the 80s, everything was quiet in Hainan, until a special economic zone was founded here, and the rapid development of tourism began. Now highways, railway lines and other infrastructure facilities are being actively built here.

It is due to the lack of useful resources that Hainan has remained a “paradise on Earth”, where everyone can come and spend an unforgettable vacation. Plants and factories were not built here, they did not have time to destroy nature.

However, minerals are present in this land, iron ore, copper, gold and silver are mined here. But these resources have become available for development only recently.

It does not matter whether you are an experienced traveler or just started 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 more than once. You can combine business with pleasure and go to the south of China, where you can see enough of the beautiful landscapes, soak up the sun and at the same time touch 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 get to know it better and find out why it attracts many tourists to its open spaces every year.

To sunbathe, to know, to be treated

Rest in China on Hainan Island is not only the presence of snow-white beaches with umbrellas. On the island, you can learn about the culture of local peoples, enjoy mountain views, improve your health in springs with hot healing water, and also try unusual exotic fruits. And the cleanest ecological environment, 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 sq. 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."

Map of Hainan Island

How to get from Moscow

Hainan has two international airports - in the cities of Haikou and Sanya. They accept not only international flights, but also domestic ones. Charter flights of various 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 a tropical island. You can also fly a regular flight Moscow - Sanya, which is implemented by the company "Transaero". The flight time will take approximately 10 hours. There is another way - to get to Hainan with transfers. These may be the following options:

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

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

Top holiday destinations

This tropical island has several resorts that boast not only clean beaches with blue water, but also the sights and entertainment that have made China popular in the field of beach holidays. Let's consider the best of them.

Sanya

Previously, Sanya served as a haven for officials who fell out of favor with the Chinese emperor, and it's hard to believe, because now this city has all the infrastructure for tourism. And the excellent ecology and local climate make holidays here possible all year round. The cleanest beach area and gentle clear water attract family vacationers here, and diving enthusiasts can enjoy the incomparable beauty of the underwater world.

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

Sanyavan is the largest area in terms of length, and it is located closest to the airport and city center. Sanyavan attracts many with its prices for accommodation, food, entertainment. Here they are quite democratic, not as overpriced as in other places.

Dadonghai is popular with people who prefer outdoor activities. It is full of diving training centers and water equipment rentals, and Russian tourists feel almost at home, because there are many establishments with Russian names and cuisine.

The resort area of ​​Yalongwan is located east of the center and is the most expensive in Sanya. People with 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 Yalunvan.

Haikou

Haikou City is the capital of the island, and it is here that most tourists come by bus and train. Many of them immediately go further to the southern resorts, but here it also makes sense to linger. It is in this city that you can touch on 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 the historical monuments of the famous Ming Dynasty, which ruled the Chinese empire for almost 300 years: the Wugong Temple, the tomb of Hai Rui, the Qiu Jin Academy (a famous Chinese scientist). There is another interesting place 30 kilometers away - an observation deck on the edge of the crater of the Ma An volcano, which has not been active for a long time.

As for the beaches, there are both paid and free beaches. For example, it is worth visiting Holiday Beach, which can be reached by bus or taxi. Entrance is free, but an additional fee will be charged for an umbrella and a sun lounger. In the west of the city there is a free Xixiu beach, where surfers like 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 from all sides. He himself is considered a landmark of the island. Previously, tourists rarely visited this city, and it was popular only among the Chinese, but every year more and more tourists from different countries visit it. All due to the fact that there are many beautiful sea bays and picturesque nature.

You can also visit many interesting and beautiful places here, for example, a rock park, a large barrier reef Tonggu, coconut plantations, a Confucius temple, a nature reserve of mango trees, a spaceport, as well as Gaulong bays, which will certainly amaze you with their beauty and azure shores.

The cuisine of the city is also popular with tourists. Here you can try the famous Hainan tea, delicious seafood dishes and Wenchang chicken. Relaxing on the beach along with trips to the picturesque places of the city and the 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 Baishilin and Boao, Guantang warm springs, the Baishi and Jingniu ridges, as well as the sculptural ensemble of the Red Army Women's Detachment.

For fans of extreme sports, there is good news, because one of the main entertainments on the island is drifting along the gorge of the picturesque Wanquanhe River. Also, if you wish, you can play shooting games using water pumps. In general, on Qionghai you can relax on the beach, and soak up the hot spring, and enjoy the picturesque nature, and try extreme entertainment, it is 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 it is better to go there for a vacation can only be asked by tourists who go there for the first time. If this is about 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, it may seem to many that it is cool, but due to humidity this temperature turns into a comfortable one. But in summer, the thermometer can reach +30 ° C and higher, so for those who can not tolerate the heat, it is better not to visit the island at this time. The golden season lasts from November to May, at this time the flow of tourists is the largest. 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 it varies depending on the season. In winter - +23…+24 degrees, in summer - +29…+30 degrees.

The best beaches of the island

All resorts in tropical China have many municipal beaches with umbrellas, sunbeds and showers. All of them are smooth, with white sand and warm water of an azure hue. The concentration of Russian tourists falls on four bays in the south of the island: Sanya, Sanyavan, Dadonghai and Yalunvan. It is very convenient to enter the water, wherever you rest, due to the gentle and smooth slope. So, if you have small children, you can safely go to any beach.

By the way, once on the beach, you will understand that its territory is divided between the hotels that go to it. But do not rush to leave, because you can sunbathe and swim wherever you want, and no one has the right to forbid you to do so. Entrance, showers, changing rooms and toilets are almost everywhere free, with the exception of sunbeds and umbrellas, for which you will have to pay about 20-50 CNY. Typical beach activities, such as a "banana" or a boat, are also available, you will have to pay for them already from 150 CNY, but 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 surfers, then the beaches in Dadonghai are suitable for you. But, unfortunately, at the height of the season, the beaches of Dadonghai are overcrowded, because, in addition to tourists, the Chinese like to relax here, which cannot be said about the beaches of Yalunvan.

Unlike Russian tourists, they do not particularly like to swim and sunbathe, but live away from the sea, because it is not so expensive. Their favorite pastime on the beach is to admire the expanses of the sea and watch the visitors. Here is such a difference in mentality. In Sanyavan Bay, the water is not as clean as in the above 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, which you will not find in other parts of the island.

Attractions and excursions

Rest exclusively on the beach, being on about. Hainan is a crime, because there are a large number of places worth seeing with your own eyes.

To get acquainted with the culture and customs of Buddhism, you should go to the 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 a bodhisattva. Not far from the 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, then there 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.

By the way, there are a lot of parks and nature reserves in Hainan, because the nature here is worth admiring and protecting it. One of them is called "Monkey Island", where more than 2000 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 funicular, which offers a magnificent view of the island and the South China Sea.

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

Another must-visit place is the Sky Grottoes.

The Sky 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 most beautiful views, but also with historical monuments. Among them - 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 a whole natural history museum of Sanya.

There are also many more beautiful places that you cannot go around in one day - this is the "End of the World" park, which is a beach with bizarre stones, a butterfly museum (a great pastime for children), "Pirate Island" with beautiful beaches and many entertainment for every taste, "Western Island" for lovers of diving and other marine entertainment (fishing, scooter, water skiing), "Flying World" bird park, where you can see the most unusual species of tropical birds, a zoo of crocodiles and tigers, a museum of pearls with pearl a 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 has been extinct for 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 Leihulin and Luojingpan volcanoes. The entire territory near the volcano and on the volcano itself is equipped. Artificially made steps made of magma lead to the crater, the crater was lined with railings around the edges and an observation deck was made from where you can clearly see dense shrubs and tropical relic plants that grew directly on the solidified lava. If you go down, there is a palm grove with an open-air restaurant, where there is a large stage on which folklore performances of the local Li and Meow peoples are given.

Active life and entertainment

If nature and historical monuments alone 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 enrich yourself culturally 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 Qunshan Gongzi Puppet Theater, which gives an idea of ​​the traditions of the Qiong Opera, as well as the Lingao Puppet Theater, in which a person and a puppet play the same role and periodically replace each other.

Golf enthusiasts will also be pleased, as there are 18 golf courses spread throughout the province. All grounds meet world standards and will satisfy the needs of the most seasoned golfer.

Also, guests of the island are invited to a variety of water activities for every taste and budget. This includes spearfishing, sea fishing, and diving with a variety of programs depending on the level of training. Separately, 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 methods of treatment are known throughout the world for their effectiveness.

And, of course, you should not leave China without knowing how a real Chinese tea ceremony is held. This is a special Chinese art with strict rules that the Chinese have kept 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 also buy the tea you like and bring it home, in order to remember your Chinese adventures from time to time.

Hainan for children

At the resorts of Hainan, children will definitely not be bored. On the territory of most hotels there are equipped playgrounds, small pools with slides, a daytime entertainment program for children and a children's menu in cafes and restaurants.

With children, you can visit the recently opened water park in Sanya. It is divided into three zones: children, children and teenagers and adults. There is also a pool with artificially created waves, which will definitely appeal to children. It is also divided into two parts: in the first, small waves form, and in the other, the waves are more like a storm on the sea.

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

Nightclubs and establishments

For fans of the night party in Hainan, there are plenty of places where you can spend time until dawn. There are bars, clubs and restaurants that work at night in every resort on the island, but the city of Sanya should be especially noted. It is in this place that a large number of nightly entertainment venues are concentrated, the life of which starts at 8 pm and ends at 5 am. Entrance is free, but in some clubs you need to take care of pre-booking a table in advance, which, of course, is not free. But the money that you deposited in advance can then be spent on drinks and snacks.

If you are going to spend a noisy night somewhere, then we advise you to decide in advance what you need. The thing is that all institutions are very different. There are clubs and bars that cater to the Chinese, who are very fond of karaoke, and there are no discotheques and DJs. And there are places where they play very good music, you can dance, drink alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. I must say 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 nightly entertainment places are concentrated. The most popular nightclubs among tourists are SOHO, M2. You can also find similar establishments at some hotels, where you can go without problems, even if you are not even a guest.

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

Cafes, restaurants, lodging, transportation

For each tourist, before the trip, it is necessary to decide on three important aspects. It is from them that the cost of rest and its quality will depend. These are housing, food and internal transportation. Consider the possible options.

Where to live

On the island, you can choose from several options for housing:

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

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

Dadonghai Bay belongs to the "economy" option, although there are also expensive offers. This place is ideal for diving.

Bay Sanyavan - "golden mean". The service here is very good and you can find very interesting options for staying in a hotel for any budget.

But Yalunvan Bay is the most expensive option. It is considered the cleanest, with the most beautiful landscapes. In this place, there are well-known world-class branded hotels, and housing prices are corresponding.

At any of the resorts of the island, you can choose options for private housing. Typically, these options are used by tourists who travel on their own without travel agencies or for a long time or a large company.

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

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 stay in this accommodation option, then look for real reviews and be prepared for any surprises.

What to ride

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 yourself, then trains, buses, taxis and even auto rickshaws are at your service.

The train is very convenient to get from city to city, the fare is 80 Chinese yuan.

Taxi services cost 8-10 yuan per landing and 2 for each kilometer. But keep in mind that during rush hour (5-8 pm) it is problematic to find a free car, and Chinese taxi drivers can also be cunning and not turn on the meter.

Buses run from 7 am to 11 pm, it is not a problem to buy tickets for up to 2 yuan, but it is not recommended to ride a “hare”, since video surveillance is installed on all buses.

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

Where to eat

The issue of nutrition must be considered in advance. If you have sufficient funds, you can find hotels that offer the all-inclusive service. There will be no problems with food, but don't expect much variety either.

In other cases, wherever you live, you can eat in cafes and restaurants or buy food in stores. Self-cooking is available only when living in the private sector.

Like any tropical island, exotic fruits abound here. They are very tasty, juicy, and it is a pleasure to eat them.

Hainan also has a lot of seafood. They can be tasted in local cafes and restaurants, you can buy fresh on the market and cook it yourself, if possible.

Huaguo is the national dish of Chinese cuisine.

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

Most importantly, in which resort of the island you will not stop, there are a large number of cafes and restaurants of different levels everywhere. You can opt for Chinese establishments serving traditional Chinese food. I must say that it is sharp and sometimes damp. Therefore, if you don’t like such food, then you can find places with European, American, Indian and Russian cuisine.

In local stores, which are also plentiful, they sell products both familiar to our tourists and not entirely clear. The most famous are the large supermarkets "Wanhao" and "Tiancheng". Many shopping centers also have grocery stores, the largest ones are:

• "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 for them, and keep in mind that for a weighted product, the price is indicated per pound, and not per kilogram.

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

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

Shopping in Hainan

A pleasant pastime in nature and the sea coast can be diversified by shopping, because on this island there is a lot of everything that is worth at least a look, and something to buy as a keepsake. Here you can buy a wide variety of goods from local authentic to well-known world brands.

Marketplaces are represented by a variety of shops, large department stores and shopping centers, markets and private shops. Store hours vary depending on the store owner. 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. The markets are worth visiting in the morning.

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

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

Typical goods that tourists bring home after traveling to the Chinese tropical paradise are silk products, 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. An unusual souvenir can also be products made from tridacna - a large species of bivalve mollusks that live in the South China Sea, and Hainan sweets. 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 a few years ago. Under this system, you must purchase goods in the amount of 800 to 5000 CNY, and then when you leave the country you will be returned 11% of the amount spent. 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 known not only for its excellent conditions for a seaside holiday, but also for its hot spring treatment centers and various spa treatments. Here you can not only relax your body and soul, but also improve your health.

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

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

Xinglong Hot Springs Valley is located 120 kilometers from Sanya. Here you can bask in a variety of sources, both in terms of chemical composition and water temperature. There are a lot of hotels in the valley that offer a wide range of services - pools filled with water from thermal springs, jacuzzis (also with thermal water), regular pools, saunas, gyms, bowling, golf courses, tennis courts, spas and shopping malls, Chinese medicine services and more.

If you want to visit a resort that has been listed as one 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 various 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 their own thermal pool, entertainment and gaming areas (tennis courts, golf courses, a basketball court, chess and poker rooms), as well as a beauty salon, a local restaurant and tea house.

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

So, now you have quite extensive information about one of the islands of China, which has everything you need for a wonderful holiday. Here, in Hainan, very comfortable conditions for tourists have been created. And nature, sun, gentle sea, healing springs and local flavor make this tropical island a very interesting holiday destination. Almost anyone here can find for himself what he likes and can afford. Have a nice holiday!

Useful information for tourists about Hainan Island in China - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Hainan is a recognized pearl of southern China, located on the Pacific coast. Residents of the Celestial Empire and tourists from all over the world have long chosen this place and come here to relax regularly.

The diameter of the island is only 165 kilometers, and the total area is about 32,000 square kilometers. By Chinese standards, Hainan is considered a very miniature island. The local population consists mainly of indigenous peoples and has 8 million people, including the inhabitants of the small islands around.

In Chinese, "Hainan" means "south of the sea." This name is quite justified, since the island stretches along the coast. The main areas that generate income are the tourism business and the fishing industry. For tourists, Hainan has an ideal infrastructure that allows you to relax comfortably at almost any time of the year.

Initially, the island served as a refuge for fugitive Chinese who went here to hide from justice. Later, representatives of the Li people lived in Hainan, and after colonization, the Han people appeared on the island. Until now, these two nations manage to coexist peacefully, as well as share their traditions and culture.

In the first half of the 20th century, the Japanese conquered the territory of the island, and in the period from 1940 to 1945, Hainan exterminated most of the population. After these tragic events, the Chinese communist troops returned the island, and peaceful life began again on it. In the 80s, the local leadership decided to create a new economic zone, which is located on the island. Since then, impressive funds have been invested in the development of Hainan, thanks to which the Chinese managed not only to preserve the historical atmosphere, but also to build many modern infrastructure facilities.

How to get there

The best way to get to Hainan is to buy a plane ticket. However, be prepared for the fact that you will have to change in one of the Chinese cities (Guangzhou, Urumqi, Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhzhou, Wuhan). There are two airports on the island that receive flights from different countries. The airport in Sanya is most in demand, as it is not very far from the resort area. Tourists also regularly use the airport in Haikou.

The cost of the flight depends on the type of aircraft, the number of transfers and the initial point of departure. It is better to buy a ticket in advance, as the flight to Hainan is popular. If you buy a ticket 2-3 months earlier, you will be pleasantly surprised by the discounts that Chinese Airlines regularly offer.

Once at one of the Hainan airports, you can easily get to the resort you need by bus, high-speed shuttle or taxi. On the way you will spend from 20 to 50 minutes.

As for the railway communication, it is well established only between the Chinese provinces. From anywhere in the country, you will drive to Haikou or Guangzhou, and then transfer to the ferry, which will take you to your final destination in 2.5 hours.

Attractions

There are many natural objects on the island, which are the most beautiful sights of Hainan. In addition, the island has such visited places as the Nanshan Buddhism Center, the museum, the Phoenix Island, the Li Miao ethnographic village.

As for the center of Buddhism, it should be included in your excursion program, as it is the largest Buddhist complex in Asia. A beautiful temple was built on an area of ​​49 square kilometers, the entrance to which is decorated with a majestic statue of the Goddess of Mercy. This monument is known far beyond China and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Phoenix Island was designed specifically for tourists and today is considered one of the most beautiful islands in China. Luxurious villas, futuristic skyscrapers, snow-white beaches, a yacht club - all this creates a special atmosphere. You can go to the island as part of a tourist group for one day.

If you want to get to know the indigenous people of Hainan and learn about their traditions, then take a trip to Li Miao Village. It is located 28 kilometers from Sanya and combines a garden and park complex, old buildings and restored streets. Actors dressed in national clothes arrange colorful performances for Li Miao's guests.

Also, do not forget to visit Yalong Bay, Dadonghai Bay, Safari Park, Monkey Island, Butterfly Park and other interesting places in Hainan.

Wellness

Special attention should be paid to medical tourism in Hainan, where more than 15 cosmetology centers and spa salons are located, on the basis of which unique healing methods are being developed.

Chinese traditional medicine harmoniously combines the latest technology and age-old knowledge in the treatment of various diseases. Most of the procedures are aimed at:

• treatment of diseases of the spine;
• prevention of diseases of the joints and internal organs;
• general improvement of the body;
• getting rid of stress and chronic fatigue;
• improving the appearance of the skin of the face and body;
• getting rid of excess weight.

Many tourists come to Hainan to experience the amazing power of Gaosha massage. This type of massage allows you to achieve amazing results in a short time. Massage is performed with a special scraper made of natural bone. In accordance with the postulates of traditional Chinese medicine, Gaosha helps to fully restore the internal resources of the body and "renew" the nervous system.

Hotel base

Since millions of tourists come to the island every year, not only hotels of different levels are located on its territory, but also apartments and bungalows. When choosing a hotel, tourists are guided by the proximity of the coastline, the presence of their own beach, the opportunity to use a number of services for free.

If you prefer peace and quiet, then it is better to stay in the central part of the island, surrounded by tall palm trees and dense greenery. For those who like a more active holiday, you should take a closer look at the hotels that are located near the local villages.

beach holiday

Of course, the main goal of any tourist who comes to Hainan is swimming and sunbathing. The beaches of the island are scattered over picturesque bays, among which the most visited are: Khaitan; Sanya Bay; Dadonghai; Shimeiwan; Yalunvan.

Haitan has recently been equipped for tourists and today it attracts attention due to its 25-kilometer beach, bewitching landscapes and untouched nature. You can find the bay by focusing on the villages of Yingzhou and Haitang. The development of Haitan continues to this day, but now many travelers are coming here.

Sanya Bay is located 7 kilometers from Sanya, which is famous for its long coastline, a wide variety of restaurants, and amazing landscape. Of the minuses of the bay, one can note a little muddy water during high tides and the need to cross the road on the way to the beach.

Between two mountains, 4 kilometers from Sanya, there is another famous Dadonghai bay. It is the busiest on the island and greets tourists with noisy discos, musical performances, well-groomed sandy beaches and theme parties in local bars.

The bays of Yalunvan and Shimeivan are the "youngest" on the island and are being actively built up with hotels, as well as recreation areas. A distinctive feature of the bays is areas with untouched nature and wide beaches. In combination with the developing infrastructure, natural beauty creates ideal conditions for a complete vacation.

Leisure

Fans of active tourism come to Hainan to enjoy a variety of entertainment offered by local tour operators. One of the favorite activities is diving and snorkeling. At the same time, specialized centers have been organized for beginners, where they can complete a training program together with a professional trainer. After training, tourists are awarded certificates confirming the level of qualification.

In addition, visitors can try their hand at real sea fishing. For this, special zones have been created in Hainan. Unlike European resorts, if you want to take part of the catch with you, then this is only allowed after payment. The cost of the fish caught depends on the weight. At the request of the tourist, fresh fish will be prepared in any restaurant according to a traditional recipe.

You can also organize a boat trip along the bays of Hainan. This type of outdoor activity is not cheap, but your experience will be unforgettable. During a four-hour trip on a snow-white double-deck boat, you will find an interesting performance with the participation of local artists, refreshments and snacks.

What to bring

There are no large shopping centers in Hainan, but you can find many souvenir shops and pharmacies scattered around the island. If you want to bring something unusual and with a Chinese theme, then you should look in stores:

• products made of natural pearls;
• bracelets made in the technique of knotted knitting;
• caskets and jewelry made of sea shells;
• miniatures made by sputtering with mother-of-pearl;
• tea of ​​different varieties;
• tea sets;
• creams, balms, patches based on natural herbs.

Trips

When we talk or think about China, we tend to think more of the country's huge, densely populated mainland cities, numerous factories, and inexpensive goods.

However Chinese resorts at least most of them very different from our ideas..

One of the finest holiday destinations in China, and perhaps in the world, is tropical island hainan, which is also a province of the same name in the People's Republic of China.

It is worth noting that this island includes a group of small islands, including: Qizhou, Dazhoudao and Simaozhou.

The largest city on the island and concurrentlycapital - Haikou. The name of the city is translated as "Sea Gate" and it boasts a developed area of ​​recreation and entertainment, as well as a large network of hotels of various levels.

In just 20 years, this city has turned from an ugly duckling, an ordinary small provincial town into a white swan - modern city with a population of over 1.5 million.

Where is Hainan Island

This island is located in the south of China. Its area is 33,920 sq. km., the length of the coastline is 1,500 km., the population is 8.18 million inhabitants.

Since Hainan is located on the same latitude as Hawaii, also called "Eastern Hawaii".

The name of the island can be translated into Russian as "an island south of the sea." Hainan Island is surrounded by the waters of the South China Sea.

Dense forests, fruity mango, banana and pineapple plantations, plantations coffee and tea under the slopes of the mountains, as well as plantations coconuts located in the central part of the island.

But the industrial zones are located in the northern part, in the same place as the capital.

This island has rich flora and fauna. Most of the endemic species of Hainan is taken under the protection of UNESCO.

Anchar tree (Antiaris)

Anchar tree grows here, which contains milky juice. This juice is used as an antidote for snake bites.

The rare and rich nature of the island is preserved in special botanical gardens.

Hainan on the map

How to get to Hainan Island

Airports in Hainan

There are two major airports on the island: one is located in Haikou - and the other in the city of Sanya - Sanya Phoenix airport.

Haikou Meilan International Airport

Both airports receive a total of 384 domestic flights and 21 international. Charter flights fly from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg several Russian airlines. In addition, there are charter flights to the island. from several cities in Siberia and the Far East.

Most planes from Russia to Hainan Island arrive at the airport of the southern city of Sanya, which is the main tourist region here.

Taxi

This is the most popular mode of transport by which tourists reach various places on the island. However, it is worth remembering that taxi drivers almost do not speak English, which means that you must know the exact name of the desired place or have a photo of this place or a business card with you.

Train

The Sanya-Haikou high-speed train can be taken if you want to visit various places of interest. It stops at many popular tourist spots.

Weather on Hainan Island

On the island of Hainan the sun shines 300 days a year. The climate here is subequatorial. The average air temperature for the year is +24 C, and the water temperature is +26 C.

The climate of the island makes it possible relax and swim all year round. However, the tourist season here is the period between November and May.

Between June and October, the climate on the island is more humid and very hot., and the air temperature can reach +39 C. It also often rains during this period.

But such things do not scare many tourists. The point is that it is Between June and October prices for all services are lower than usual and there are far fewer people on the beach.

Hainan. temperature by month.

Hainan in September, October

At this time it is very hot and humid here. Divers should be aware that their equipment will not dry well.

Hainan in November, December, January, February

At this time, the rainy season ends, the heat and humidity subside, and the temperature becomes more pleasant for relaxation. However, for evening walks, it is still better to take clothes with long sleeves.

Hainan in March, April, May

Perhaps the most suitable time to relax, as the temperature is the most comfortable, and it almost never gets cold in the mornings and evenings.

Hainan in June, July, August

During this period, it rains and there is intense heat. The highest temperatures are recorded in July.

Typhoon threat between May and November- no more than one per season.

Hainan. Water temperature.

All environmental standards are strictly observed on the island:

* Within a radius of 100 kilometers from Sanya - the southernmost city on the island - it is forbidden to build any industrial facilities.

* Any dumping into the sea is prohibited.

* All sewer systems are connected to centralized treatment facilities.

Sanya, Hainan, China (map)

Infrastructure in Hainan

International tourism in the region continues to develop, and with it the infrastructure continues to develop rapidly.

Here you can find:

* A developed network of tourist routes that go both through the mountains and along the coast.

* Excellent high-speed tracks.

* Improving complexes with radon and mineral springs.

* Beautiful sandy beaches.

* Ethnographic villages belonging to the indigenous inhabitants of the island (the Li and Miao peoples).

* In the capital of the island, Haikou City, the leisure and entertainment industry is very developed. Here you can find a large number of hotels of different levels.

In addition, the island is located close to Hong Kong and Macau. If we consider everything together, both ecology and infrastructure, then we can understand how Hainan Island differs from other resorts located in Southeast Asia.

Economy of Hainan Island

There are plantations of tropical fruits such as mangoes, bananas and pineapples, as well as plantations of coffee, tea and coconuts.

Most of the industrial facilities are located in the northern part of the island, near Haikou.

In the area of ​​the city of Wenchang in the northeast of the island, a spaceport was built in 2014, bearing the name of the city - Wenchang. Not far from the spaceport, the authorities plan to create a theme park that will be dedicated to the Chinese space program.

Visa to Hainan Island

Hainan Island is a special economic zone that promotes the development of inbound tourism. This means that the visa regime is simplified here, and tourists who are going to visit Hainan can get a visa right at the airport, immediately upon arrival.

Also, citizens of the Russian Federation who arrived in a group of more than 5 people and for a period not exceeding 15 days can use visa-free entry according to the group list.

A Brief History of Hainan Island

Ancient map of Hainan

The island first became part of the centralized Chinese state during the Han Dynasty. But the Chinese representation here was limited to a military camp, which was located in the northern part of the island.

The name of the island was given during the reign of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, the colonization of the island intensified. More and more people arrived from the continent, which pushed the natives to the southern coast of Hainan.

Hainan again received the status of a separate administrative entity in 1906. The Chinese politician and reformer Deng Xiaoping (1904 - 1997) was able to create the largest free economic zone in China in this region.

Holidays on Hainan Island

The beaches of Hainan Island (photo)

Most of the famous beach resorts can be found in the southern part of the island. Here are the bays of Yalongvan, Dadonghai, Sanya and Haitang Bay.

Every year, thanks to fine clean sand, clear warm sea, developed infrastructure and clean air, this place attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists.

Sea. Hainan.

In addition to the famous large beaches, there are also small beach towns, as well as wild beaches.

It is worth noting that all the beaches on the island are municipal, and they are equippedeverything you need including sun loungers with umbrellas and showers.

All the beaches of the island are sandy and gently sloping. The cleanest water is considered to be the water in Yalong Bay. Here the sea is calm, but the water in it is cooler in comparison with other beaches of the island. In this place are the largest diving centers in Hainan.

The most popular hotels are located in Dadonghai and Yalunwan. But each place has its pros and cons.

Bays of Hainan Island

In the city of Sanya, there are two of the most popular bays on the island - Dadonghai and Yalunvan.

Each bay has its own distinctive sides. Some parts of them are freer, others are busier with tourists.

Dadonghai Bay

The beaches in Dadonghai City are often crowded. This is where the locals usually hang out. In addition, you may not have enough umbrellas and sunbeds. As a rule, the Chinese who vacation here are more love to sit on the beach.

Most Chinese try to relax away from the coast, where the cost of recreation is less.

Yalun Bay

If you decide to relax in Yalunvan, then here you are guaranteed peace. But if you want to actively relax, attend parties, for example, you will have to go to Sanya, which is 30 km away.

Bonus: Sanyavan Bay

This place is located near Sanya Airport. The infrastructure here is not yet highly developed, but the pace of its development is very high. At this stage, the minus of this resort area is that the beaches of Sanyavan Bay are across the road.

Despite the fact that the water in this place is not very transparent compared to the waters in Yalunvan, the impressive surrounding landscapes still bring a positive connotation.

Carefully!

Be careful with water sports in Hainan. The government doesn't put much emphasis on activities like parasailing, scuba diving and boating yet, and local staff don't give lessons. In addition, some equipment may be very old.

Hainan Island Hotels

Most of the hotels on the island are located in the rainforest. Here you can not only relax comfortably and breathe fresh air, but also feel like a part of nature and see all its richness.

If you are a fan of ecotourism, you can choose medium or small hotels.

If you prefer comfort, then there are 4- and 5-star hotels for you, owned by well-known brands: Marriott, Hilton, Holiday Inn and others.

On the first lines, you can find both simple and luxurious hotels - the choice is quite large.

Shopping Center in Hainan (Haitang Bay Duty-free Shopping Center)

This International Duty Free Shopping Center opened relatively recently in Haitang Bay.

It is the largest duty-free shopping center in the world, covering an area of ​​72,000 sq. m.

Here are the most famous brands of clothing, cosmetics, shoes and accessories, including: Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Prada and Giorgio Armani.

In addition to shops, this shopping center has many entertainment venues, restaurants and even a hotel.

You can get here from Sanya or Haikou in the following ways:

1. Every half an hour (09-30 - 20-00) there are shuttle buses from Dadonghai, Yalunwan, and Wuzhizhou Island.

2. Shuttle bus No. 34 runs every 8-12 minutes (09.00-21.00 towards the shopping center and 10.00-22.00 from the store to the city).

3. You can take a taxi from Sanya.

4. By car.

Excursions on Hainan Island

The island has a huge number of attractions, but it’s still worth starting with one of the brightest.

Park "Tropical Paradise" (Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park)

This tropical forest park is located in Yalun Bay in Sanya. The park was built in accordance with all construction rules in ecologically clean areas, and fully meets the world standards of eco-tourism. All the flora and fauna of these places has been completely preserved here.

The total area of ​​the tropical park is 1,506 hectares and it is divided into several zones, each of which corresponds to a specific theme.

On the top of the mountain, which is located in the park, an amazing mountain forest resort, which includes 142 villas and several rooms created in a tropical style.

Each room has its own bird's nest name. There is: a nest of an eagle, magpie, peacock and others.

Guests can use an audio guide, and it is better to move around on shuttle basses.

What can be found in the park:

orchid valley - you will see a lot of rare flowers, and along the way you will meet antelopes, peacocks and parrots. There is also a "Snake House" in the valley where you can watch a show with snakes. Having risen to the observation platform, you can go down on a long cable car.

Dragon Bridge or Lover's Bridge - the length of this suspension bridge is 168 meters, and it connects the two banks of the park. The bridge can sway a lot, so you need to hold on tightly to the handrails. From the bridge offers amazing views of the sea and mountains.

Dragon World Theme Park - to get to it, you need to conquer the mountain (450 m), on top of which there is a park, or just take a bus.

The main attraction of the park is a bronze statue of a dragon, as well as a beautiful view of Yalun Bay. Other attractions include: the Hainan Island Photography Museum, the Buddha Stone hanging over the cliff, and the Phoenix Gate.

Sanya Aquarium (Sanya Tropical Marine World)

This is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the island. It is only 25 km from the city of Sanya.

In this aquarium you can see more than 200 representatives of the animal and marine world, including turtles, crocodiles, dolphins, unusual tropical fish, parrots and birds.

The oldest representative of the aquarium - turtle over 600 years old. She is kept in a special nursery for sea turtles.

Also in the aquarium arrange various show programs, whose main characters are parrots, dolphins and crocodiles. With crocodiles, by the way, experts perform various deadly tricks.

The workers will let you (for an additional fee) feed crocodiles live chicken and take a picture with one of them in an embrace.

With a strong desire, you can ride an ostrich.

On the territory of the aquarium there are several restaurants that offer seafood.

World's End Park (Tianya Haijiao)

This park is located 25 km from Sanya city at the foot of Malinshan Mountain. Despite the fact that this place is officially called a park, it is difficult to call it such, since here the seashore is "dotted" with large smooth boulders scattered over the sand and partially submerged in the sea.

Most often, this park is visited by lovers who come to watch the sunset and confess their love to each other.

Between the boulders ride a camel or take a picture with an ostrich. You can come here on your own or with a guide, and there are several ways to get there:

* By buses 2 and 4 (fare 1 yuan) - reach the final stop and change to a tourist bus (fare 5 yuan).

* By tourist bus to World's End Park and Nanshan (fare RMB 5).

* By taxi (fare 30-35 yuan).

Monkey Island

This place is located 80 km from Sanya city. You can get here only by air, and more specifically by cable car, which connects Monkey Island and the big island.

The adventure on the cable car itself can be regarded as a separate attraction. While in the cabin, you will have beautiful views of the groves with rare plants, and you will also see coastal town and fishermen's bay, dotted with many old boats, old houses and wooden walkways from high.

Monkey Island is a large park that is home to about 2,000 monkeys. They are everywhere - you can see them in the trees, walking on the ground, sometimes they even come up to people to ask for sweets or take away shiny jewelry.

There is also a circus in the park, where monkeys show their acrobatic abilities. In addition to monkeys, other animals perform in the circus, such as goats, which can walk on a tightrope while carrying a macaque on their heads. For the performance, you pay a parrot, who is happy to collect money from guests.

Butterfly Museum

This museum-reserve is located 30 kilometers from the center of Sanya. It is divided into two parts. In one you will find a large collection of butterflies and other insects that live in China, other Asian countries, as well as in America and Africa.

In another part of the museum is the "Butterfly Garden" - a small gorge located in the middle of tropical forests.

You can see the beauty of the museum by walking along the winding paths that will take you through the many tropical plants.

The territory of the museum is considered a protected area, so catching insects is prohibited, but guests are allowed to take pictures of them.

At the exit you can find a small shop selling various souvenirs.

Pearl Museum (Hainan Jingrun Pearl Museum)

China's largest pearl mining and processing company has decided to open a pearl museum on Hainan Island. Guests have the opportunity to visit a real pearl plantation and visit the pearl museum, where you can learn more about how pearls are grown and mined.

It is worth noting that pearls are the symbol of Hainan Island. Today, Hainan is China's leader in producing and exporting the highest quality pearls. All the necessary conditions have been created in the South China Sea for the extraction of the best pearls on Earth.

Of course, in such a place, guests can buy products made of pearls, as well as precious and semi-precious stones, and many different cosmetic preparations.

Crystal Museum

In this museum you can see a huge collection of crystal, as well as many semi-precious stones.

Here guests can also get interesting information about crystal and its varieties, about how crystal was mined in the past, and what modern technologies are used today to process crystal.

In addition, visitors are offered to purchase a huge amount of jewelry and souvenirs made from different types of crystal, including white crystal, yellow and green.

Pirate Island

This small island has an area of ​​​​only 1.5 square meters. km and it is located 20 minutes from the pier of Hainan Island.

He stands out clean white sand, clear sea water, untouched nature, an incredibly diverse underwater world of coral reefs, as well as a large number of beach activities, including: trip on a boat with a transparent bottom, scooter rental, sea fishing, boat and motorbike rental.

Walking along the shore, you can see peacocks, and large tropical turtles rest in a specially created pool.

In addition, the island has hotels with their own beaches and sun loungers, as well as a diving center. And the bungalows in which you can relax are equipped as 4 and 5-star hotels.

You can get here by buses 23 and 28, and by taxi (from Yalong Bay). It costs about 50 yuan to get to the port of Wuzhizhou, and about 200 yuan from Sanya to the port. Ask the taxi driver to turn on the meter, and also try to check that the amount starts from 8 yuan.

You can also get to Wuzhizhou by the largest hovercraft in China (from 8-30 to 16-00). The cost of a round-trip ticket is about 130 yuan.

If you like such places, then you can also visit West Island, which is also famous for its clear water, beautiful sandy beach and water activities.

Animal World in Sanya City (Thai Park)

This zoo was built in 2005, and today more than 20,000 crocodiles and more 200 tigers. The animals were brought from Thailand.

In this park, guests are given the opportunity to take pictures with a small tiger cub and / or a crocodile. In addition, there is a tiger circus on the territory of the Animal World.

It is worth noting that crocodiles live here in spacious enclosures equipped with pools. You can view them while walking along the safe concrete bridges that were built over the enclosure.

But you can look at tigers and lions on a special vehicle. Animals move freely around the park, and you can see them from the transparent windows of the car.

Perhaps the most interesting representative of the animals in this park is tigrolev, which is a being that combines tiger and lion shape. Similar hybrids have been bred in China since 2001.

DunshanHu Zoo, Sanya Nanshan Dongtian Park

This is one of the most popular places on Hainan Island. Dongshanhu Nature Reserve rich in tropical flora and in terms of size the largest natural park in Asia.

The total area of ​​the reserve is 130 hectares. It also houses about 1,000 exotic animals brought from all over Asia. Guests can see here: bears, spotted deer, tigers, leopards, flexible gibbons and many other animals and birds.

Perhaps the most interesting thing in this park is that the animals are not kept in cages - they just live their usual lives, a natural habitat has been created for them. Only small enclosures separate some animals from others.

Animals that are peaceful for humans, such as giraffes, elephants or ostriches, are allowed to stroke and feed.

A tour of the park takes the form of a jeep safari. Guests get into special SUVs or buses with a guide.

Nanshan Buddhism Center

The largest center of Buddhism in Asia located near Nanshan Mountain (South Mountain). Its total area is 50 sq. km, and it was opened in 1997. An ancient Buddhist temple was reconstructed in this center, and a large landscape park was also built.

It is worth noting that on a small island in the sea rises bronze statue of the goddess of mercy Guanyin- its height is 108 meters.

In addition, the park has a pavilion that stores giant golden statue of the goddess Guanyin, whose weight is 140 kg. The statue of the goddess is decorated with precious stones. There is a statue on a pedestal, the shape of which repeats the shape of a lotus flower, and the pedestal itself is made of white jade.

This statue was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest golden statue in the world- it took to create 100 kg of gold. The statue also contains particles of the ashes of the Buddha.

Daoist temple complex Dong Tian

This complex of temples is considered one of the most ancient (over 800 years old) surviving complexes in China.

Dong Tian is a sacred place for all adherents of Taoism. The temple became famous thanks to ancient Taoist beliefs, according to which the Southern Dragon lives in these places. This creature is one of the 4 lords of the world. Here you can hear from the guides and other interesting legends that are associated with this complex.

The temples of the complex look especially beautiful among the amazing seascapes of the island. Nearby you can see a forest "decorated" with amazing tropical plants.

One of the most interesting plants dragon palm(dracaena cambodiana), which is already over 6,000 years grows in these places and therefore is the Chinese symbol of centenarians.

This garden is located near thermal radon springs. It is considered one of the largest tropical botanical gardens in the country. Its total area is 32 hectares, and the garden is decorated with more 1,000 different plant species.

In addition, in the botanical garden, scientists are working on the study of some species. Here you can also get acquainted with the culture, traditions and even cuisine of various countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and India.

Taking a tour of this garden, you can visit the Xing Long Asian Tradition Garden, where everything around is stylized in Asian style.

Hike to the crater of Ma An volcano

This volcano is located 27 km from the capital of the island, the city of Haikou. Extinct volcano Ma An last erupted about 50,000 years ago, and today it is one of the few extinct volcanoes that are well preserved.

To get to the crater, you need to climb the stairs, created from volcanic magma. For a more comfortable journey, a railing was installed along the diameter of the crater and everything was arranged so that this place looked more like an observation deck. From here you can safely look directly into the depths of the volcano itself.

The crater zone was arranged in the form of a park. In its lower part, right in the palm grove, an open-air restaurant was built. In the evenings, folklore performances of the local Li and Miao peoples are held here on a special platform in front of the restaurant.

Treatment in Hainan

If you decide to relax on this island, then you will definitely be advised by traditional Chinese medicine.

It is worth noting that in the city of Sanya you can find more than a dozen branches of well-known medical centers in Beijing and Dalian. These centers offer various traditional Chinese treatments for rejuvenation and healing.

In addition, on the island you can try to be treated with radon and potassium-sodium thermal waters in the popular springs of Hainan Island. Since the springs contain a large amount of fluorine, silicic acid and radon, they have a beneficial effect on the skin and joints.

It is believed that these procedures can help those who have problems with the musculoskeletal system, nervous system (insomnia, migraine, neuralgia), skin and respiratory organs.

It also offers the following treatments:

• acupuncture
• qigong (therapeutic gymnastics)
• acupressure
• phytotherapy (herbal treatment)
• ear massage (auriculotherapy)
• aromatherapy
• sand treatment.

Medical procedures on the island can help with:

• problems with the spine (arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica)
• problems with prostatitis
• gynecological problems
• problems with alcohol, tobacco and/or drug addiction
• problems with diabetes
• problems with gastritis
• overweight problems.

With all of the above, it is worth remembering that with some ailments it is better to consult a doctor. Before leaving, do not forget to take out medical insurance. According to the Federal Tourism Agency, in the first place in the list of insured events are colds and infectious diseases, followed by digestive problems, and in third place are injuries and bruises of various types.