Resorts of China. Hainan Island

is the largest island in the southern Chinese province of the same name. There are several other small islands around it. Translated from Chinese, “Hainan” means “South of the Sea”.

Most of the income here comes from the resort and tourism business. The island has a wonderful climate, there are sights and monuments of history and culture, a developed tourist infrastructure, many excellent beaches, entertainment and hotels.

The largest city on Hainan Island is called Haikou. There are more than 8.5 million local residents throughout the province. During the year, no less tourists from all over the world come here to relax.

Geography

It is a small tropical island located in the South China Sea off the southern coast of China. Hawaii is located at the same latitude, which is why Hainan is often called “East Hawaii”. It is slightly larger in size than Crimea - 33 square meters. km.

In the center there are dense tropical forests, in which unique species of flora grow and endemic species of fauna live, listed in the Red Book of China and the whole world.

Climate

The average annual temperature in Hainan is +24C, the average water temperature is +26C. Three hundred days a year there is magnificent sunny weather. This is truly a heavenly place, both for a beach and excursion holiday.

There is eternal summer here and there is no division into High and Low seasons. The weather is favorable for holidays at any time of the year. However, winter is still considered the velvet season, and in summer prices for hotels and air tickets drop slightly due to precipitation.

Throughout December, January and February, during the dry season, the air temperature during the day is about +22C, and the sea water temperature is about +25C. In summer, during the rainy season, the air warms up to +25C, and the water in the sea – up to +28C.

Story

Hainan got its name during the Mongol Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century. After its fall during the Ming Empire in the 14th-17th centuries, this province strengthened significantly and was populated by the Chinese population.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the island acquired independent administrative status. Deng Xiaoping created China's largest free economic zone (FEZ) here, after which Hainan began to develop by leaps and bounds.

Beaches

The island is known for its magnificent beaches and beautiful coral reefs. The beaches have beautiful views, are clean and well-groomed, and are equipped with all the necessary infrastructure.

Almost all of them are covered with shiny fine white sand, on which relaxation is a pleasure. Resort staff carefully monitor the cleanliness of the beaches near hotels of any class and star rating.

The most famous local beach is called the Jade Belt. It is a thin strip of white sand that separates the fresh river waters from the salty sea waters. The beach is located near the Boao resort.

Attractions

The largest Buddhist center of Nanshan is located 40 km from the resort of Sanya. There you can see a huge temple, a statue of the Goddess of Mercy more than 100 m high and a beautiful Chinese-style park.

This is an artificial island located near Sanya. Several skyscrapers have been erected on it, which house hotels for vacationers; there are also luxury villas, a yacht club, a beach, etc.

The Li and Miao are ethnic groups that have lived on the island for centuries. In these villages, the ancient way of life has been recreated. In a large park, traditional houses of these peoples are built, and the role of residents is played by local actors.

All historical and cultural artifacts related to Hainan are collected here. Tourists are presented with an extensive exhibition, incl. antique local porcelain, edged weapons, silk, national clothing, medieval jewelry, etc.

On the shore of this bay, which in Chinese is called the Dragon Coast, are the most expensive and luxurious hotels in Hainan. Around them are tropical forests, mountains, pristine white beaches. This is a real Garden of Eden on earth.

Dongshan Safari Park

A wonderful natural park where tourists, without exposing themselves to danger, can see how animals live in natural conditions. Ostriches and parrots, monkeys and crocodiles, lions and tigers live here.

This reserve was created specifically to study the local subspecies of macaques. Today, more than 2,000 of these little monkeys live there. Tourists love to communicate with them and feed them. But be careful, macaques will go through your pockets looking for shiny things.

Butterfly Park

This nature reserve, located next to Yalong Bay, houses a unique collection of butterflies from all over the world. You can also see unique insects here.

Pirate Island

This is a tiny island near Hainan, where you can enjoy almost untouched local flora and fauna, pristine tropical forest. Along the coast there are white beaches and coral reefs.

Park "Heavenly Grottoes"

A wonderful natural park where you can walk through caves and grottoes, touch sacred trees, and visit the famous Dragon Temple. This park is sacred to all who practice Taoism.

Entertainment

The center of tourism on the island is the resort of Sanya, where the famous Bar Street is located. The most popular bars among vacationers are:

• —SOLO,
• - SOHO
• - M2.

You can also find good nightclubs, discos and karaoke bars here. Nightlife continues until the morning. In karaoke bars, like ours, there is no dance floor and DJ; they just gather in groups and sing.

The nightclubs are very beautifully decorated in Chinese style, and guest artists and dancers often perform here. In the clubs you can always have a good time and have a good time; the prices for drinks are quite reasonable.

Not far from Sanya is Dadonghai Bay, near which there is the largest number of boutiques, shops, restaurants, bars, etc. There is everything for lovers of noisy entertainment and shopping.

Transport

Your first acquaintance with the island begins at Phoenix International Airport. This is where tourists from Russia and other countries fly. There is also Meilan Airport, but it is located far from the resort area and is therefore less popular.

The main type of public transport is buses. The price of bus tickets is low. Tourists also often use taxis or simply rent a car. Private traders on motorcycles are bombing. There is a high-speed train from Sanya to Haikou.

Pros and cons of Hainan

The resorts of Hainan are truly heaven on earth. But it’s more the wealthy Chinese who vacation here, as well as the European middle class and above. The prices are quite high, although it is easy to find a quite decent three-star hotel.

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.

Huago - national dish of Chinese cuisine

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!

Direct flights from Moscow to Hainan (Sanya Airport) are provided by Transaero Airlines and charters from various airlines. Travel time is about 10 hours. You can also get to Hainan by connecting flight via Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong (the closest flight is from Hong Kong). By choosing this method of flight, you can combine a beach holiday on the island with sightseeing in the above cities.

The time difference with Moscow is plus 5 hours.

Tropical climate with a large abundance of sunny days (more than 300 days a year). The average annual air temperature is + 24°C, and water + 26°C. On the island there is a unique Nanshan Park, which is the only place in the world that fully complies with international environmental standards.

The best time to travel to Hainan is considered to be from March to October, but if you do not like the heat very much, then you should avoid visiting the island in July and August. The coldest months are the winter months (December to February), but at the same time, the period from November to May is called the “velvet season” in Hainan. The average air temperature in January is +22°C.

Major resorts

Sanya – the largest resort on the island with a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Most of the hotels here are located across the road from the sea.

Sanyavan - a young developing resort located near Sanya airport. The advantages of the resort are inexpensive prices and proximity to the airport. The downside is that the hotels in this resort area are located across the road from the beach. The water here is not as clear as in other resorts due to the darker sand.

Yalongwan – the most elite resort in Hainan. It is located 25 km from Sanya and has wide white beaches with crystal clear water. The resort is quiet, with a calm environment, without an abundance of noisy night entertainment. But the most expensive and luxurious hotels on the island are concentrated here.

Dadonghai – the resort is located very close to Sanya - 3-4 km. Surfers prefer to stay here. This is a noisy and cheerful resort, democratic, with a relaxed atmosphere and vibrant nightlife. Our compatriots often prefer to relax at this resort, so menus in Russian can often be seen in local cafes. The disadvantage of the beaches of this resort is that they are often too crowded. Most hotels are located on the coast.

Hainan - ideal place for a beach holiday. The beaches on the island are sandy and gently sloping, the water is clean and warm. All beaches are municipal; they are equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas and other necessary infrastructure.

Features of beaches in different resort areas:

- Yalong Bay is distinguished by its clearest water and calm sea. The water here is several degrees cooler than in other places. The beaches are not as crowded as in Dadonghai and Sanya.

The resort is surrounded on 3 sides by mountains, and coral reefs grow in the water. Yalongwan is home to the largest diving centers in Hainan;

- Dadonghai Bay is considered the most picturesque on the island. Local residents often prefer to relax on the local beaches. The main drawback of the beaches of this bay is that they are too crowded;

- Sanyavan Bay and Sanya - most hotels in these resort areas are separated from the beaches by a road.

There are many 5* and 5* deluxe hotels on the island; there are fewer 4-star hotels and, as a rule, they are located on the 2nd coastline. In addition to hotels in Hainan, you can rent an apartment or villa that suits your needs.

The most popular hotels on the island:

Sheraton Sanya Resort 5*- a magnificent hotel located on the coast, in Yalong Bay. Infrastructure: one of the best beaches in the bay, outdoor swimming pool, children's pool with slides, SPA, fitness center, tennis court, restaurants, cafes. Sun Valley Golf Courses are 3 km away.

Hilton Sanya Resort & Spa 5*- SPA hotel located on the seashore in Yalong Bay. Infrastructure: private beach, SPA center (8 treatment pavilions, lounge, sauna), fitness center, tennis court, 6 restaurants, karaoke rooms, children's club.

Sanya Marriott Resort & Spa 5* - luxury SPA hotel in Yalong Bay with its own 450-metre beach. Infrastructure: 2 outdoor swimming pools, SPA, fitness center, sauna, massage, yoga classes, tennis court, children's club, 2 restaurants, bars. There is a chapel on site where romantic wedding ceremonies are held.

The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort 5* - The architecture of this hotel resembles the silhouettes of intertwined dragons. It is located on the seashore and has its own beach. Infrastructure: outdoor swimming pool (open until 10 p.m.), SPA center, tennis court, restaurants, bars, butler service. Tropical Paradise Park is 10 minutes from the hotel.

1) Guantan – the hottest springs with t from +70°С to +90°С. They are located near the city of Qionghai;

2) Xinglong – the springs are located in a picturesque valley, among coconut groves and tea plantations. The water temperature ranges from +45°C to +65°C. There are villas and hotels near the springs. Xinglong Valley is located 100 km from Sanya in the center of the island;

3) Nantian - located 30 km from Sanya. In the complex with thermal springs there are several pools, the temperature of the water in which ranges from +30°C to +60°C. The water from the springs has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, skin and joints. On the territory of the complex there is a hotel Sanya Pearl River Nantian Resort & Spa 5*, with rooms of various categories. Bungalow rooms are equipped with private pools, which receive water from springs;

4) “Seven Fairies” (Qixianling) - located at the foot of the mountain 10 km from Baoting county;

5) “Tianyuan” - a thermal park with springs and fish, a 15-minute drive from Sanya. On the territory of the park there are 16 thermal pools with different temperatures of water, pools with large fish and small fish, a pool with coffee, a pool with coconut milk, and a massage center.

Meals at the resort

The main pride of Hainan is the freshest seafood and a variety of exotic fruits. Hainan is the largest supplier of mangoes. Also grown here are bananas (small ones are the most delicious), pineapples (locals soak them in salt water before eating), coconuts, papaya, as well as a variety of exotics - guava, carambola, rambutan, pitahaya and magnustine, considered the “king” of fruits.

The most popular dishes of Hainan are Jiaji duck, steamed hele crab, Dongshan stewed lamb and Wenchang boiled chicken. Gourmets will appreciate local cuisine with fresh seafood - lobsters, sea cucumbers, abalone.

A variety of restaurants, cafes and snack bars are located in resort areas on the coast. In Sanya and Dadonghai Bay there is a large selection of places where you can dine very inexpensively. Perhaps, only Yalong Bay is an exception, since you can eat here only in expensive hotel restaurants (the average bill in such establishments is $20 and above).

"The end of the world" - The rock park under this name is located 23 km west of Sanya, on the sea coast. One of the stones is called “Edge of the World”; this place is truly considered the extreme point of China.

Ma An Volcano Crater – one of the most visited attractions on the island. The volcano is located 27 km from Haikou and is one of the best preserved volcanoes in the world. Its last eruption occurred about 50,000 years ago. The steps leading to the crater are made of volcanic magma, and the crater itself is lined with railings and equipped as an observation deck.

Monkey Island – it is home to Guangxi macaques (more than 2,100 monkeys). The island itself is located 80 km from Sanya. You can get to it in an unusual way - by cable car.

Bird Park "Flying World" - The largest park of this type in China. Here you can see a variety of tropical species, watch ostrich races and cockfights, feed peacocks and watch a parrot show.

Nanshan Buddhism Center – largest in Asia. It was opened in 1997 and is located in the international tourism zone 40 km from Sanya, at the foot of the mountain of the same name. Here is one of the main shrines of Buddhism - a golden statue of the goddess Guanyin weighing 140 kg. This is the largest statue of the goddess in the world, in addition, it contains a particle of the ashes of the Buddha himself.

The Taoist temple complex of Dun Tian is more than 800 years old. The temple is located on the coast, 35 km from Sanya. This is a holy place for all followers of Taoism. According to legend, one of the 4 rulers of the world lives here - the southern dragon, to whom people come to ask for help. Also on the territory of the complex there is a unique object - a “dragon” palm tree, which is 6000 years old.

Folk village of the Li and Miao peoples. Lee – these are the island's aborigines who lived here long before the arrival of the Chinese. Miao are immigrants from the mainland, warriors who lived in the mountains in ancient times. During an excursion to the village, you can watch a colorful folklore festival or a wedding ceremony, as well as get acquainted with the original culture of the nationalities.

Butterfly Museum - located 30 km from Sanya. The museum-reserve consists of 2 parts: a museum collection of butterflies and other insects and a gorge where you can observe tropical butterflies in natural conditions.

Botanical Garden - one of the largest in China. It is located next to the Xinglong Hot Springs and has more than 1,000 species of exotic plants. During the tour you can try different types of Hainanese coffee.

Pearl Museum – opened by the Jingrun company. Pearls are the symbol of the island. The South China Sea, which surrounds the island, is recognized as producing the best pearls in the world. In the museum you can see rare specimens of pearls and visit a real pearl plantation.

Zoos:

Dunshanhu Lake Natural Zoo is one of Asia's largest reserves of tropical flora and fauna. The zoo is located at the foot of Dongshan Mountain.

Dunshan Safari Zoo - This zoo is home to a unique breed of animal - the tiger lion. Its breeding began in China in 2001. The zoo itself is divided into 2 parts - a safe one and one where predatory animals live (tigers, lions, leopards). Tourists explore the last part in special excursion buses.

Sanya Crocodile and Tiger Zoo - opened in 2005. More than 20,000 crocodiles and more than 200 tigers can be seen there. A tiger circus is open on the territory of the zoo.

Oceanarium – The most extreme sight that can be seen here is feeding crocodiles with live chicken. Which, however, everyone is offered to try, and later, if you don’t have enough adrenaline, you can try to take a photo hugging a crocodile.

Hainan Island offers a wide variety of leisure options for both active tourists and lovers of a relaxing holiday. Water activities and sports are popular on the island - diving, spearfishing and sea fishing, golf, for beautiful ladies - massage and excellent spa treatments. We list the most popular entertainment:

Linggao Puppet Theater – This distinctive theater is an integral part of the ancient culture of Hainan. On the theater stage, the same character is played by 2 actors - a man and a doll.

Hainan Opera – has ancient traditions and more than 300 years of history.

Fishing on Lake Spokoinoye - There is a fishery on this lake where everyone can go fishing. The caught fish will be cooked for you right on the spot. The lake is located next to the resort of Sanya.

Diving – The natural landscape of the island is conducive to diving. Some of the best diving spots are Pirates Island and West Island, located near Sanya, as well as Xiao Dong Hai Bay. Near Sanya there is also the only coral reserve in the country.

Tea ceremony - Elite varieties of tea grow on the island (“Kudin”, “Favorite tea of ​​the imperial concubine”, “Snow tea”, etc.). During the tea ceremony, you will be taught the art of properly brewing tea and told about the beneficial properties of each variety.

Features of the holiday

In China, you should not use a video camera in temples, museums, or film train stations, bridges and other objects considered strategic. When exchanging currency, we recommend keeping your receipt so that later, if necessary, you can reverse exchange the local currency into dollars or euros.

Hainan Island is washed on all sides by the South China Sea, which, as you know, is located in the Pacific Ocean. The three largest bays of the island are Sanya Bay, Dadonghai and Yalongwan. I'll tell you about the beaches in these bays.

I would like to note right away that all the beaches on the island are public, so there is no division into types or species here. That is, for example, the beach of Yalong Bay is one very long beach several kilometers long.

Sanya Bay Beach

Mostly Chinese and Europeans vacation in this bay; there are very few Russians.

Sanya Bay has the longest beach on the island, its length is about 11 kilometers. It starts from the World's End park, runs near the airport, along residential buildings and hotels, ending near the artificial Phoenix Island.

The beach is sandy, as is the entrance to the sea. The sand is light gray, almost white, very dense, which especially pleases children, because such sand makes excellent castles! You can also ride bikes and auto-rickshaws along it, and the wheels won’t even get stuck. There are a lot of small crabs on the beach that run along the sand, making burrows in it.

The coastline is very wide. There is enough space for lovers of active games, for those who prefer to lie on the warm sand, and for those who want to walk along the sea at sunset.

There are free showers and toilets on the beach. Sometimes you may be asked to pay for umbrellas and sunbeds that do not belong to your hotel (the price is about 3-4 dollars or 20-30 yuan), sometimes you are allowed to relax on them for free. Apparently, it depends on the mood of the person on duty at the beach.

Lifeguards are always watching over vacationers.

It cannot be said that the sea here is transparent, because there is always fine sand hanging in the water. The color of the water is dark blue, even closer to gray. The water in this bay resembles the Black Sea.

Palm trees and other trees grow along the entire coast. Under them there are benches and tables so that locals can relax, for example during lunch, or simply hide from the bright sun.

In the morning, on the beach you can see those doing yoga; in the afternoon, old people gather here and learn all sorts of dances; at sunset, wedding ceremonies and photo sessions are often held. In the evening, a lot of young people gather in numerous cafes located right on the sand. They are similar to our “summer cafes” in parks, only much larger and in addition to the “bar” they also have a “kitchen”. During the day, the “eating stations” are usually closed, but at sunset, literally ten to twenty steps from the water, plastic tables with chairs are placed on the sand and the cafe begins its work. The food is only Chinese; instead of a menu there is a huge poster with pictures of the finished dish and its price. For example, a serving of glass shrimp noodles costs about $4 (RMB 35).

All beaches in this bay are located across the road from the hotels. But there is nothing scary or dangerous in this, because near each hotel there is an above-ground pedestrian crossing, that is, you can safely cross the road. Some hotels have an underground passage, such as the Pullman Hotel.

From Yalongwan and Dadonghai bays you can get to the beach by buses No. 25, 26. Travel from one bay to another costs about 1 dollar (from 5 to 10 yuan depending on the distance). You can arrive by taxi, then payment will be according to the meter. From Dadonghai to Sanya Bay it takes 10-15 minutes, and from Yalongwan about 40-50 minutes. These buses travel along the sea, so you can get off anywhere you like. To get to the beach you only need to cross the road.

Dadonghai Bay Beach

This bay is loved by Russian tourists.

The beach in Dadonghai is only 4 kilometers long. It is located between two mountains, so it seems to me that in winter the water here should be a little warmer than in Sanya and Yalong Bays.

The sand is fine, light, crumbly, and not dense, like in Sanya Bay, you can’t ride on it in an auto-rickshaw or bicycle.

The entrance to the sea is sandy and flat almost everywhere. But in some places the coastal bottom was washed away by waves, and quite deep holes formed near the shore. The water is blue, transparent, with a suspension of sand near the shore. Sometimes, during strong waves, it brings small pebbles and shells from the sea to the shore.

The beach has free sun loungers, umbrellas, showers and toilets. There are lifeguards near the main entrance to the beach (next to the Intime Hotel).

But there are no palm trees on the shore, so you won’t be able to hide in their shade. There are a lot of cafes near the beach, mostly with Russian names: “Kievan Rus”, “At Lena’s”, “USSR” and others. The cuisine is primarily Russian and European, and only then Chinese. The prices are quite affordable: borscht (by the way, very similar to the real thing) costs about 1.5-2 dollars (10-12 yuan).

During the day, the beach in Dadonghai is lively and noisy, with merchants selling pearls, souvenirs and fruits walking along it, crowds of noisy Chinese who love to talk loudly, build sand castles and take photographs.

A violinist plays on the beach near the Resort Intime hotel; his music makes it very pleasant to relax and lie on the warm sand. But in the evening the beach is quiet, because the cafes are not located directly on the sand, but a little further away, so the noise of visitors’ conversations is not heard, and you can walk along the shore in silence.

Hotels located on the first coastline have their own territory on the beach, but it is not fenced in any way. Since all the beaches are owned by the state, no one will ever kick you out of your sunbeds, even if they belong to a hotel where you don’t live. So you can freely move around the entire beach and settle down in any places you like.

You can get to Dadonghai Bay Beach from Sanya Bay by bus No. 2, 4, 8; drive about 10-20 minutes. From Yalongwan – No. 15, 25, 29, 24; the journey will take 40-50 minutes. The fare will cost 1 dollar (5-10 yuan); if by taxi, then pay according to the meter. Stop "Dadonghai Bay" or "Summer Mall". From any stop to the beach it takes 5-10 minutes to walk, you can walk through the territory of any first line hotel.

Yalong Bay Beach

This is the most expensive and luxurious bay on the island. People who prefer a quiet and serene beach holiday relax here.

The sea in the bay is very calm, so the water is clean and transparent. In some places the bottom is visible at a depth of 7-10 meters.

The length of the beach is about 7 kilometers, the width of the coastline is 50 meters. The sand is light, soft and warm.

On the beach, everything is conducive to complete relaxation: there are no noisy merchants, cafes, bustle and screams. Local residents practically don’t come here. For me, it’s just too quiet and deserted here.

It’s a little busier near the Lan Resort, because there you can rent diving equipment, ride a banana boat and other beach attractions:

1. the dive will cost from 65 to 140 dollars (450 to 900 yuan). The programs are different: sunken ship, coral reefs, professional diving;
2. scooter riding (only with an instructor) - 23 dollars (150 yuan) for 15 minutes;
3. ride on a banana - 15 dollars or 150 yuan;
4. fishing on a boat - 60 dollars or 400 yuan, on a specially equipped boat - 153 dollars (1000 yuan);
5. sea ​​trip on a boat with a transparent bottom (for viewing the seabed) - $33 (220 yuan).

On the first coastline there are five-star chain hotels that have their own beach. It is equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers and always has its own rescue station. But, as I already said, these are just conventions; of course, there is no territorial division. Relax and swim wherever you want.

For sun loungers you will have to pay from 4 to 7 dollars (30 to 50 yuan); the cost depends on the proximity to the water: the closer to the sea, the more expensive. Showers and toilets are free.

If you live in another bay, then you can get to Yalong Beach for 5-10 yuan by bus No. 15, 25, 29 (they go from Sanya via) or by taxi - pay by meter. The price of a bus and taxi depends on the distance of the trip. From Sanya Bay it takes about 40-50 minutes, from Dadonghai 20-30. It’s better to get off at the Central Square, it’s easiest to get to the beach from here.

(1) — Sea Melody (Ocean Sonic Resort) 5*
The hotel is located 100 meters from the beach, built in 2009. There is a private beach, swimming pool, gym, 4 restaurants, for hotel guests food is available around the clock and free of charge, including wine, beer, juices. In the room: safe, TV (Russian channel), telephone, refrigerator, air conditioning, mini kitchen, shower, bath on the balcony. Most rooms have sea views. Read more…

(2) – Tianfuyuan Resort 4*
Located in close proximity to the sea. Built in 2006, it consists of two buildings, 7 floors, 475 rooms, there is a large swimming pool, a gym, etc. In the room: safe, TV (Russian channel), free internet, telephone, refrigerator, air conditioning, room area 38 sq.m. Read more…

(3) – Grand Soluxe Hotel & Resort Sanya 5*
The hotel is located 150 meters from the sea. Built in 2008. There are several swimming pools. In the room: safe, TV, Russian channel, internet, refrigerator, air conditioning, shower, bath on the balcony. Read more…

(4) — Kempinski 5*
The hotel is located almost on the beach, built in 2007, 7 floors, 8 buildings. There are several outdoor swimming pools, a gym, and a children's room. In the room: safe, TV (Russian channel), refrigerator, air conditioning, shower, bath on the balcony. Read more…

(5) — Holiday Inn Sanya Bay 5*
The hotel is located 1 minute walk from the sea. 226 rooms with balconies. There is a swimming pool, spa, massage, thermal springs, gym, tennis court, restaurants, childcare. In the room: safe, refrigerator, internet, iron. Read more…

(6) – Days Hotel & Suites Resort 5*
Located 110 meters from the beach. 7 floors, rooms with a large window and balcony. Opened in December 2007. There is an outdoor swimming pool, SPA center, sauna, gym, restaurants, entertainment on the beach. In the rooms: safe, satellite and cable TV, coffee, tea. There are non-smoking rooms. Read more…

(7) – Palm Beach Resort & Spa 5*
Located 50 m from the beach. 16 cottages and the main building. The hotel has 2 swimming pools, a jacuzzi, water sports on the beach, a herbal spa, a children's club with a playground, an evening barbecue, and restaurants. All rooms with balconies, in the rooms: TV, air conditioning, Internet access, safe, etc. Read more…

(8) – Hongzhou Eadry Resort Hotel 5*
Multi-level building in the city center. Distance to the beach is 10 minutes on foot.

The hotel was built at the end of 2005 and is designed to combine leisure and business. There are floors for infants and services for small children. Own yacht club, Havana Cigar House, restaurants. Read more…

Some other hotels in the bay Sanya(marked on the map with red circles with yellow Latin letters:

b— HNA Resort Sanya
e—David Legend
f—Howard Johnson
g— Yuhai International
h— Golden Phoenix

Description of Hainan Island: beaches, attractions, food and local population

Hainan- the southernmost island in China. It is washed by the South China Sea and is separated from the mainland by the Qiongzhou Strait. The island is located in tropical latitudes, so it is summer all year round. You can get there by plane; most often you arrive at Sanya Airport. When you arrive on the island and start looking around, it seems that you are not in China, but in Hawaii.

On the island you can choose a hotel to suit every taste and budget. In each you will be provided with service at a very high level. The only negative is the language barrier. The staff understands Russian and English poorly. The opinions of tourists who visited the island vary, some say this is a one-time option, some would like to return again and, preferably, more than once, but everyone agreed that the island is incredibly beautiful, clean sandy beaches and warm sea, It turned out to suit everyone's taste.

Attractions

Park "Edge of the World"

The park is located at the easternmost point of the Shandong Peninsula.

Various legends are associated with the park, especially where such a poetic name comes from. One of the legends says that the monkey king Song Wukong once visited the territory of the modern park and gave this place the name Tianya Hanjiao, which means Corner of the Sea or Edge of the Sky. The park territory extends along the coast for several kilometers. The Chinese themselves see in the landscape a combination of the two principles of masculine and feminine. The sea, endless green spaces, old weathered large stones and tall trees - all this is undoubtedly very beautiful. By visiting this place you can get a huge positive energy charge.

The first place you arrive upon arrival is a Buddhist monastery. Here you can buy a medallion and hang it on the wailing wall, and you need to make a wish. Then you can walk along the rock park and go down to the sea. There is a money stone on the shore; it is believed that if you walk around the area three times and throw a coin into the chest next to it, it will attract wealth. In another part of the park there is the Temple of Eternal Happiness in the courtyard, which has statues depicting the local pantheon of gods. Right next door you can go to the museum of famous Chinese personalities, get acquainted with the history, and see interesting sculptures.

Monkey Island

One of the extraordinary places that is worth visiting while on holiday in Hainan is Monkey Island. You can get to the island by water and air. It is better to give preference to the second option. You will be taken to the island in a cabin by cable car. From the top there is a view of a fishing village, whose residents engage in fishing and grow pearls. The smell in those places is appropriate. When going to the island, do not wear jewelry, sunglasses and scarves unless you want to give them to thieving monkeys. The monkeys have all the conditions for a comfortable stay. They have a whole town there, with gazebos and swimming pools. At the entrance to the park there is an original statue of a pensive monkey holding a skull in its paw.

Visitors can be amused by the monkey prison, where thieves and other bullies among the primates end up.

You will also enjoy the performance put on by the inhabitants of the monkey kingdom. Furry performers perform acrobatic acts, juggle and simply entertain the audience.

Food

The cuisine on the island matches what the locals get, with many cafes and restaurants serving seafood and fruit dishes. But don’t be afraid that you won’t be able to find something you like or that the food will be very specific. The city lives off tourists, and the entire infrastructure is designed for them. There are signs on the streets in three languages. For holidaymakers from Russia, the restaurant “U Lena”, where native dishes are served in a Chinese interpretation, or “Berezka” is suitable. If you are ready for gastronomic experiments, then feel free to go to the main square. There are tables placed on it, along the perimeter there are sellers of freshly caught fish and sea creatures. Buy the ones you like the most and give them to one of the 20 chefs who are located right there. The chef will cook the seafood you just bought right before your eyes. Don’t be afraid to buy food on the street or in small shops, the taste is indescribable and without a threat to your health.

Shopping

The success of this tedious task depends entirely on you and the thickness of your wallet. As throughout all of China, you can bargain almost everywhere on the island. If this is not provided in any store, the seller will say so or you will see a special sign. Shop signs on the central streets of Sanya are written in Russian.

What do you usually bring as a gift after a holiday on Hainan Island? Of course silk products and pearl jewelry. Many people like to go to tea shops. They are always happy to arrange a tasting and the sellers will conduct special tastings for you. tea ceremony. The range of prices for tea depends on what part of the island you are in and how you know how to bargain. The markets sell fruits and seafood; if you can find friends among the locals, you will buy much less food, since there is a big markup for tourists.

Clothing costs almost the same as in Russia. Shopping centers sell analogues of well-known brands and clothing from Chinese manufacturers. Most often, marine-themed products (items made from shells, pearls, etc.) are purchased as souvenirs.

Hainan is a little piece of paradise where it is summer all year round. In hotels you can get service that is not inferior to world standards. Holidays on the shores of the Yellow Sea will appeal to everyone, both young people and families with children.

Photos courtesy of P. Sobolev (enlight.ru/camera/china/hainan_sights)

What washes Hainan: sea or ocean

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.

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Dadonghai Bay - the most luxurious resort on Hainan Island

One of the most popular holiday destinations in China is Hainan Island.

There are hotels of the highest international category, magnificent beaches, many restaurants, cafes and entertainment centers.

Dadonghai Bay is a beach resort with well-developed infrastructure

For tourists who want to go on holiday to China, one of the most attractive places is Hainan Dadonghai Island in particular, which is considered to be the best beach in the country today. And the point is not even that you can vacation in Dadonghai without a visa. Tourists from all over the world are attracted here by the amazing tropical nature and a lot of entertainment that this area of ​​the island is rich in.

Dadonghai Beach is part of the city of Sanya, the largest in Hainan. This area, like the island as a whole, has a well-developed infrastructure. Thanks to modern roads, getting to any part of Hainan is not difficult. Directly from Dadonghai Bay itself to the center of Sanya can be reached in just a few minutes, since the distance between them does not exceed three kilometers. Therefore, tourists who want to relax in Hainan go to Dadonghai. will not be cut off from the nightlife of this Chinese island and other entertainment.

The main feature of Dadonghai is, of course, its amazing location. The bay with a huge sandy beach is located in a picturesque location, which is bordered by two mountains. Translated from Chinese, their names mean “Turning Deer” and “Hare’s Tail.” What distinguishes Dadonghai Bay from other popular resorts in the country is the quality of its beach, which meets the highest standards. Transparent clean water, fine white sand, tropical palm trees and flowers. Relaxing on the beach in such an environment is a pleasure.

Dadonghai Bay, China

Diving and other entertainment in Dadonghai

Hainan Island is located in the tropics, so the sea is home to a huge number of exotic fish and corals.

All this diversity of the underwater world attracts diving enthusiasts to vacation in Hainan in Dadonghai. There are several diving centers open on the coast, where you can take a scuba diving course or rent the necessary equipment for diving.

Fishing is also a traditional activity on this Chinese island. The bay is home to a huge amount of fish, so even a novice fisherman’s catch is guaranteed to be large. Returning to shore after swimming, you can order dinner from freshly caught fish in the hotel restaurant.

Dadonghai Bay, China

Entertainment in Hainan

China's Dadonghai Bay has recently become a tourist area, so hotels here were built only 8-10 years ago. Local restaurants that specialize in seafood are also located along the shore. Here you will be served fresh fish, freshly caught shrimp, squid and other equally delicious dishes of Chinese, Japanese and European cuisines.

The Sanya area is also perfect for shopping lovers: in the city center there is a huge number of different shops, shopping centers, jewelry and souvenir shops. Life in this area does not calm down for a moment, because even at night the doors of numerous restaurants, bars, clubs and other entertainment centers are open to tourists.

Dadonghai Bay hotels are located on Hainan Island, recognized by environmentalists as the cleanest region on the planet. Luxurious hotels, hidden from view by tropical greenery, are located next to sandy beaches. .

Hainan sometimes called "East Hawaii" because the island is located at the same latitude and has similar natural conditions. He lies in South China Sea, washed by its warm waters, and is characterized by surprisingly clear weather - here sunny over three hundred days a year ! The island has an excellent climate, thanks to which you can swim whenever you want, and the authorities have established a strict regime for maintaining environmental cleanliness.

The center and south of Hainan are free and open spaces, covered with forests and plantations, excellent beaches, and health springs. This is combined with the developed infrastructure of the north, where a powerful recreation industry has been created and there are many hotels ready to receive guests at the highest level. Hainan also has a network of trails along which it is easy to cross, many routes for trekking through the hills and mountains, they can offer a powerful historical and ethnographic program - the holiday will be eventful.

Climate zones of Hainan

The island is located in two climatic zones at once: its north lies in the subtropics, and the central and southern parts belong to the tropical zone. As a result, at the same time when in the north you have to dress warmly, in the south you can freely wear summer clothes - there you can do this all year round.

Hainan is characterized by a long childhood and a complete absence of winter - temperature changes throughout the year are small, even in January - the coldest month, on average 20-22℃. The island is very sunny, clouds are rare here, and the seasons, traditionally for the tropics, are distinguished by the amount of precipitation. And despite the abundance of sunny days, there is a lot of rain - up to 2,600 mm per year, and almost all of it falls from June to October. At this time, the island is plagued by powerful typhoons, which sometimes cause ferry service to be suspended.

There are many thermal springs in Hainan, and infrastructure with good service has been built around most of them - so you can go here for health benefits.

Tourist seasons in Hainan

When is the best time to visit Hainan?

Hainan attracts about 8 million visitors every year. It is often included in an extensive travel program in China as one of the points, along with the more excursion-oriented Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong as a “beach component”. But you can come here separately, there is something to see here, and at any time of the year - it’s always summer in Hainan! Still, high and low seasons can be distinguished.

High season.

It always starts on October 1st. The fact is that it is on this day that the founding of the People's Republic of China is celebrated and Golden Week begins - a national weekend. It is absolutely not worth going to China at this time, because literally hundreds of millions of Chinese are moving around it - everyone is going to visit relatives, on vacation, or on business. Well, after this is over, the normal high season begins and lasts until March. But we note that swimming in winter is not as pleasant as in spring or autumn - although the water is warm, it is warmer than the air, so it may become a little cold when you leave it!

If you are going to the island for excursions or to do trekking, then any month of the high season is perfect.

The sights of Hainan are mainly natural, so most of the time will be spent outdoors, and it is important that it is not very hot, and at the same time clear - these are the conditions that are observed in the winter and surrounding months.

Fans of rafting along mountain rivers should be interested in Wangquan - first you will need to go along a mountain path through the jungle to its upper reaches, which in itself can bring a lot of pleasure, after which you can raft down - the total length of the rafting is more than 160 kilometers. You can take a guide to get to the rafting site, and all the equipment will be waiting for you there, completely ready.

Low season

The cheapest time to travel to Hainan is from May to the end of September. But there are still far fewer tourists, because it is very hot and rainy. The sun can be merciless, and the sea warms up to 30°C, so many may find it even too warm - and therefore only hardy people who love real tropical heat go to the island in the summer.

As a result, tariffs are reduced significantly, so for these lovers there is real freedom, but for everyone else, if you want to have a cheap vacation, it is better to try to come to Hainan in the off-season, and catch a time when the typhoons have not yet arrived or are already subsiding. The best time to go on vacation in terms of price/quality ratio is in the spring - March-April.

Sights of Hainan

First of all, guests of the island usually end up in its largest city - Haikou , located on the northern coast. Most often they do not stay in the city for long, because the main tourist center is the city Sanya , is located at the opposite end of Hainan. However, in Haikou you can also create an interesting cultural program - the city has a beautiful historical center, and around it there are many historical monuments from the Ming Dynasty (XIV-XV centuries) - temples, tombs and an ancient academy. Near the city you can also visit an extinct Ma An volcano and climb the magmatic steps to the observation deck located at the very edge of the crater - it offers a stunning view.

The city of Sanya has a developed resort infrastructure, offering a lot of entertainment, and besides, it is easy to get to attractions such as Monkey Island, Begel Nat Park and Nanshan Temple. Nearby is Yalongwan, a coastal area with the best beaches on the island, many luxury hotels and diving centers. The bay of the same name is famous for its crystal clear and calm water; moreover, the sea here is colder - and in this case this is an advantage!

A separate attraction is the nature of the island - many of the local species of flora and fauna are under UNESCO protection, being extremely rare, living or growing exclusively on Hainan. Thanks to the unique climate, ancient nature has been preserved here, and therefore it is definitely worth taking an excursion into the depths of the island, into its tropical forests.

Worth visiting the jungle Yanoda near the city of Sanya. This is 45 square kilometers of jungle, turned into a park - the wild nature remains the same wild, but everything has been done to make it more convenient to look at it. You can get to the park itself by bus, and there are paths and bridges along it, along which you will be guided, showing all the most interesting things. There is also a cable car. The park is very large, and it will take two days to explore it, so they can also feed you here.

Weather by month

December-February

In winter, tourists who do not like the heat come to Hainan. At this time it is warm, but no more - the temperature does not rise above 25°C, and in the evenings it can even be cool - about 15°C. This allows you to sunbathe on the beach and avoid the heat, especially since the water is warm, which means you can swim. Many tourists traveling to China also stop by Hainan to add a slice of the tropics to their trip - after all, even in winter it’s still warm here.

March, April

These months are among the best for visiting the island - it is not yet too hot and stuffy, but at the same time the evenings become quite warm. It rarely rains, and nothing will spoil the excursion. It is not surprising that in March there is a large influx of guests and it is better to book hotels several months in advance!

May June

May ends the high season, while at the beginning of the month prices rise due to the fact that the Chinese come to relax for the May holidays, but then quickly decline. Gradually, it begins to rain more often, it becomes hotter, but conditions for recreation are still quite good until typhoons begin.

If you love folklore then visit Binlangu ethnographic park .

It is also worth visiting one of the national holidays, if you can do it in time - such as “Lantern Day” (falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month), “Spring Dragon Festival” (second day of the second month), “dragon boat” festival (the fifth day of the fifth month) and so on - there are a lot of them, but you’ll have time for some.

July-September

But in these months, given that prices reach a minimum, we would not recommend going to Hainan - the rainy season is in full swing, as well as the heat, as a result, the local climate will be difficult for an unprepared person to endure. Even if you manage to catch a day of good weather, you will still not be able to sunbathe properly due to the increased level of radiation - you will need to quickly get out of the sun. And then there are typhoons! All this also interferes with excursion trips and hikes - where there is in such heat with typhoons.

October November

Like the first spring months, the end of autumn is very conducive to visiting Hainan. This is especially true for November; however, it can still be quite hot in October. The weather is clear and sunny - again it’s a great time for educational walks around the island and exploring its nature.