Natural beauty has earned the tropical island of Hainan the title of the “Second Hawaii”. Island hotels are located along two bays - Dadunhai (lower prices, less sophisticated hotels) and Yalunvan (pricey five-star hotels). Dadunhai is located in the vicinity of the city of Sanya. Yalunvan is forty minutes’ drive from the city. Here you will not encounter any locals selling fruit or colonial merchandize - the hotel management made sure of it.

If you opt for Yalunvan, bear in mind that it does not offer all-inclusive programs - only bed and breakfast. This is why you will have to dine either at your hotel or in neighboring hotels for extra pay. After all, the nearest restaurant is at least a 30 minutes’ ride away…

Hainan is famous for its healing radon springs - good for skin and musculoskeletal conditions. One of the local hotels, Hot Spring, is considered a paradise for women. It offers all types of spa procedures (massages, baths, body wraps) along with all kinds of Oriental massage and natural cosmetics. The average cost of an hour-long spa procedure is 15 to 20 dollars.

There are plenty of tours on offer, most of which are devoted to natural attractions - the monkey island, mini zoos, and the pearl museum. Other forms of entertainment include diving and sea fishing. Hainan has excellent golf fields and an Olympic-class firing range.

The best time to stay on the island is from mid-December to late August. Bear in mind that the Chinese New Year is celebrated for a week in late February. The “Nuevo Riche” Chinese flock to the island for the celebrations, driving prices up to $600 per night or more.