Here is a little info on Hainan that my research poked up. It sounds like a cross between Africa and Switzerland.
Hainan
Also known as "Qiong", this is one of the Special Economic Zones located in the South China Sea, at about the same latitude with Hawaii, is China's second-largest island after Taiwan. It covers 3,135 sq. miles, and is inhabited by 5,600,000 people of Han, Li, Miao, Hui and other ethnic groups. Hainan Island has a long history tracing back to 6,000 years ago. The original native in Hainan is believed to be Li nationality. Han nationality moved in gradually from Han() Dynasty onwards. Hainan first became part of China in "Spring and Autumn" Period at 200 B.C. It has been referred to as a "treasure island". An abundance of tropical crops such as coconuts, rubber and lemongrass are grown, and the island is rich in aquatic products and mineral resources. Hainan is accessable by plane from Hongkong (DragonAir) or by ship down the Pearlriver in Canton or by bus even (with a short boattrip). I dont recommand a touristical visit to the provincial capital of Haikou in the north unless you miss Las Vegas...its a gambling paradise. Sanya-a former american military base- in the south is a good option to go. Emperor Hanwudi established two administrative centers in Hainan after conquering the southern part of China in 110 B.C. During Tang Dynasty(), additional administrative centers were established, and later Dynasties of Song(), Yuan, Ming() and Qing(), also set up various government offices for the administration of Hainan. Li and Miao are the two most important ethnic minorities in the island of Hainan. Li (ca 1,000,000 of people) belong to the Thai linguistic group. Miao belong to the Miao-Yao linguistic group and are also scattered througout Laos, Viet-Nam and Thailand.Hainan was known as the "tropical Siberia", because it has been a place of exile since the Tang dynasty. Nowadays, as one of Chinas Special Economic Zones (SEZ) encouraging foreign investment, trade, and tourism...and not only a few officials see in it the Hawaii of Asia.
Also known as "Qiong", this is one of the Special Economic Zones located in the South China Sea, at about the same latitude with Hawaii, is China's second-largest island after Taiwan. It covers 3,135 sq. miles, and is inhabited by 5,600,000 people of Han, Li, Miao, Hui and other ethnic groups. Hainan Island has a long history tracing back to 6,000 years ago. The original native in Hainan is believed to be Li nationality. Han nationality moved in gradually from Han() Dynasty onwards. Hainan first became part of China in "Spring and Autumn" Period at 200 B.C. It has been referred to as a "treasure island". An abundance of tropical crops such as coconuts, rubber and lemongrass are grown, and the island is rich in aquatic products and mineral resources. Hainan is accessable by plane from Hongkong (DragonAir) or by ship down the Pearlriver in Canton or by bus even (with a short boattrip). I dont recommand a touristical visit to the provincial capital of Haikou in the north unless you miss Las Vegas...its a gambling paradise. Sanya-a former american military base- in the south is a good option to go. Emperor Hanwudi established two administrative centers in Hainan after conquering the southern part of China in 110 B.C. During Tang Dynasty(), additional administrative centers were established, and later Dynasties of Song(), Yuan, Ming() and Qing(), also set up various government offices for the administration of Hainan. Li and Miao are the two most important ethnic minorities in the island of Hainan. Li (ca 1,000,000 of people) belong to the Thai linguistic group. Miao belong to the Miao-Yao linguistic group and are also scattered througout Laos, Viet-Nam and Thailand.Hainan was known as the "tropical Siberia", because it has been a place of exile since the Tang dynasty. Nowadays, as one of Chinas Special Economic Zones (SEZ) encouraging foreign investment, trade, and tourism...and not only a few officials see in it the Hawaii of Asia.
DADONGHAI BEACH
Maybe Sanya's most famous beach, situated about 3 km from the center of the city and just off the main road.The beach's close proximity to the city means that it can get very busy here but this remains a pleasant and convenient spot to kick off your shoes, soak up the rays and swim in the sea BUT BEWARE that there are sharks and NO nets to keep them off and also some jellyfish. You can even have remoter beaches when taking some bus outside the city and enjoy som 15 miles of beach on your own. You can rent one of these boats to go to other remote bays and beaches. There have been built a few resorts around this beach where most Hongkong business people invite there chinese mainland counterparts for a weekend -so imagine its their company that pays and this is part of the reason that prices here are like downtown Manhattan and more coz there is no competition (yet).The shops near the South China Hotel are all owned from the same person and if you are looking for a better price than the previous store in this area -just forget about.
HAWAII of ASIA?
Even though the local government advertise with slogans such as "Hawaii of Asia" there are very very few western tourist making their way here-most of them are foreign students during the springbreak. Prices can be outrageous and even seem to be subject to different times of the day (or light)...at Dadonghai Beach you have even jetski for "just" 8US$...PER MINUTE though with increasing competition, prices might get more reasonable in the future. Mostly Hongkong business men with their mainland counterparts coming here to spend a weekend on companies cost. If you have to look at your budget - it might be advisable to select another island. Gee, I thought it was going to be "China on the Cheap" for us. I was promised I could shop till I drop everyday and not spend much money at all!
In some editions of Lonely Planet the Sanya Hotel is the only recommanded place. I was here in 1995 and it was one of the noisiest places you can imagine because nearby was a kind of redlight district (old relic of american military base history) where one razzia followed the next one to crackdown not only prostitution but illegally gambling. The Hotel was full of rats that came down the roof at night though as the patron told me that they only came into 3rd floor-well sometimes they even came through the toilet or ate their way through the wood. Dont be afraid-this is a bad example but meanwhile the situation has changed. You find some excellent resorts and my favourite is the one located on Louhuitou Island-the photo is taken behind the bungalow. The whole place reminds someone of a botanical garden and even satellite TV is provided inside and if you are interested in playing music (or singing Karaoke) there is a big pavillion with all the equipment needed. The staff is very nice and the coconuts allover the place give you a real feeling of having found a little piece of paradiese.
TRANSPORTATION
Air-conditioned buses go from Haikou to Sanya every hour and take between three to four hours. The cost is approximately RMB80. Only enter the bus if FULL...when we took a bus for just 30 RMB something "funny" happened. The busdriver stopped his truck when just leaving the capital Haikou in the north of the island and returned HOURS!!! later...with a huge crowd of additional passengers... Well we were just about "kidnapping" the car:-)). The buses have huge flashlights on their roof and using often the horn when driving in the mountains to warn the traffic downcoming. Dont wonder if you will see Hardcore Movies in the bus. When a woman with her child entered our bus she had to ask the driver more than 5 times to switch the movie. The main bus station in Sanya is at the northern end of Jiefang Lu. Buses from Tongzha and Lingshui pull up around the intersection of Jiefang Lu and Gangmen Lu.
Oh boy, another fun Baxter Family Adventure!
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