It is undeniable that Hainan is a Russian holiday hotspot. With daily flights to and from Russia and the little Chinese island, and the fact that pretty much everything is written in both Mandarin and Russian, it is easy to believe that it is a popular spot for Russian relaxation. Confirmed by the seamless blend of Chinese and westerners, Hainan is probably one of the most prominent in the whole of China where foreigners stand out the least.
As a British foreigner roaming the streets of Sanya, I was often address in Russian- understandable when I was probably one of the only Brits for miles. Everyone I met on my travels was either Chinese or Russian, with a handful of tourists from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The Russians know what’s up, Hainan is pretty damn awesome, and should be on everyone’s travel to-do lists. Here’s a few reasons why
Beautiful beaches
Palm trees, white sand and a surprisingly clear ocean. The beaches are the absolute highlight of Hainan, particularly by Chinese standards. If you’re a surfer, it’s got you covered too, as a big surf hotspot in China. If you’re primarily going to hit up the beach and have a bigger budget, definitely book up a resort in Yalong Bay– they all include their own private beaches and pool. When I visited we stopped by the Holiday Inn, which was pretty damn sweet. You can also enjoy a tonne of classic water sports, from banana boats and jet skis to scuba diving and sailing.
Then there’s Wuzhizou Island. Likeable to Thailand or the Maldives, Hainan’s scenic tropical island is another great spot for enjoying the ocean.
Tropical weather
Even during the winter, Hainan remains the hottest province in China. The coolest it gets is generally around 15C. When I visited in February, it was mostly nice and warm, kind of likeable to the British summertime. Definitely warm enough to catch an enviable tan. During the summer, it can get so damn hot (up to around 40C!), satisfying our sun-soaking needs and explaining the island’s reputation for the Hawaii of China.
Nanshan temple
I already unleashed my love of this in a previous post, but in short, its next level. If you don’t give a damn about sunning it up and are more of a culture vulture, go to Hainan for this. It’ll satisfy your cultural needs big time. You can read more about it here.
Stunning hikes
Another highlight of Hainan is its beautiful scenery. Many hikes are on offer, involving temples and other attractions along the way. My favourite was Luhuitou Park. Highlights included a panoramic view of the Sanya Bay and Dadonghai areas, some badass statues depicting the folk tales surrounding the area, outdoor temples, and some super sassy macaques. The park commemorates the popular myth that led to Sanya’s name of the ‘Deer City’. You can read more about this story here.
There are also other more off the beaten track hiking trails up the area’s mountains, that reveal beautiful views of Sanya’s rolling hills. Click here for more info on those.
Chinese food
Okay here’s one for those that don’t live in China- as a resident, and a vegan, this cuisine is no longer something exciting to me! But, the region hosts its own special noodle dishes along with the traditional go-tos, including steamed buns and dumplings. It is a perfect opportunity to enjoy some authentic Chinese food- that I swear is pretty damn different to the Chinese take-outs that we know and love in the west.
Cheaper than the Maldives
I’m not going to lie to you, granted, its probably not as good. But what it lacks in luxury, Hainan compensates for in Chinese culture. It is the perfect fusion of East Asia and tropical island. Hostels are cheap- I paid £40 for mine for a week… A pretty sweet deal. Bus journeys cost next to nothing, between 10p and £1 depending on distance. Local foods, around £1-3. It’s also cheap to fly in from nearby spots in China and South East Asia, making it a great stop for a backpacking route. My return flight from Hong Kong cost about £100, and only took an hour and a half.
Best airport ever
All I’m going to say is, the airport waiting lounge looks like a 5 star beach cabin garden. Palm trees, statues, fountains, it’s mad. I have honestly never seen a prettier airport in my life.
For more info on Hainan tourism, click here.
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