Get away to a tropical island paradise
Hainan is China's largest ocean island and smallest province, with a population of 8 million, among which there are one million ethnic minority people. Located at the south end of China and on the same latitude as Hawaii, the island has more than 300 sunny days in a year and is the perfect place to escape the cold months on the mainland. The best time to visit is between October and May.
Top scenic sites include Tianyahaijiao, Yalong Bay, Dadonghai, Five Finger Mountain and Guantang Hot Spring.
Hainan cuisine is said to be "lighter, with mild seasonings", with the most famous dish of Hainan Chicken Rice or the fresh and delicious seafood.
Visitors can fly to Haikou, capital of Hainan, or Sanya from most part of the country. Return airfares from Beijing to Sanya during peak season is about 4,600 yuan ($575). However travel agencies offer package deals with accommodation at lower rates and prices also drop during the low season. Shanghai return airfares are about 3,200 yuan ($400) during peak seaon.
Accommodation in Sanya is relatively expensive, about 600 yuan ($75) per night during the off-peak season. Average prices rise almost 25 percent during the holidays.
China Daily
(China Daily 05/10/2007 page19)
