Sanya boosts efforts to attract overseas tourists to the region’s tropical shores and natural scenery

Sanya, the seaside resort in southern China’s Hainan province, is known for its picturesque scenery, vibrant culture, green surroundings and rich culinary fare.

For a group of 20 young people from countries including the United States, Thailand, Greece and South Korea, exploring Sanya as part of a “Travel the World, Stay in Sanya” tour – organised by the Sanya Tourism Board (STB) and the Shanghai Daily – meant they got to experience the unique charm of the area, taking in the city, maritime activities and the customs of the Li and Miao ethnic minorities, as well as duty-free shopping and exploring the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

The visitors went to numerous beach areas, including Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest, which boasts a pristine environment and a rich diversity of plant species that have helped it become known as a “natural oxygen bar”. They also visited the fishing port of West Island, Hainan’s largest aboriginal island, and experienced the surf at Houhai Bay.

The group enjoyed a show about Sanya at the scenic Romance Park, as well as visits to Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, and Bohou Village. They also went to Tianya-Haijiao to the west of Sanya, which has become a favourite wedding destination.

In addition, the visitors experienced the region’s cuisine, sampling Sanya’s signature foods such as coconut chicken and seafood, as well as experiencing local handicrafts like coconut leaf hat weaving and clay painting.

“Everything I saw here – the people, the surroundings – left me with the best impression I could have for a vacation,” says Panagiota Ntourma, a visitor from Greece. “The romantic play gave me a glimpse of Sanya culture, and the costumes are very beautiful.” She adds that the local people were welcoming and the duty-free prices and shopping environment were also good.

“I will definitely recommend this place to my friends and family, and I have already promoted it on social media. I will come again.”

Cole Henry from the US enjoyed the cultural show and the surfing. “There are lots of things around nature in Sanya, which is what I like the most. I’d love to come back and do some more hiking,” he says, adding that the coconut milk and the coconut chicken hotpot were culinary highlights.

Sanya is mainland China’s only tropical coastline tourist city, with a tropical climate, ocean vistas and premium resorts that have led to comparisons with Hawaii.

The island is not only a popular destination for international tourists, but also a place where many foreigners choose to settle. Francesco, from Sardinia, who works as an executive chef at Fairmont Sanya Haitang Bay, describes Sanya as his second home. “For me, Sanya and Sardinia are two parts of my heart. I love the seaside, the food, the sunshine, the temperature and the local ingredients. It’s a dream to relocate here.”

Korytova Anastasiia, who is from Russia and has been working with the Sanya Tourism Board for more than three years, says Sanya’s traditional Chinese culture and the culture of the Li and Miao are intriguing to explore, adding that the Hainan Free Trade Port offers excellent job prospects to foreigners who want to stay.

Sanya’s international business environment is also attracting foreign investors, including Hungarian Akos Ulrich, who established his own company there and is now preparing to launch a hospitality business.

“Sanya is developing every day. If I just look around the Haitang Bay area, the city area… new projects, new shopping malls and new entertainment venues are bringing in new tourists from abroad to Sanya,” he says.

The feedback of the group reflects the attractiveness of Sanya as a tourist destination, while the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port appeals to young professionals from around the world.

The STB adds that Sanya has become one of China’s most popular domestic tourist destinations, and its success sets a benchmark for the recovery of the tourism sector, paving the way for further growth.

The board, which has been upgrading the province’s facilities and services for the sector, says it will step up efforts to promote Sanya as a young, international city to lift its international competitiveness to attract tourists from overseas.