Hainan Special: Scenery, sea, sand - and shopping

South China's Hainan province is alluring tourists from around the world through its picturesque landscape, modern shopping malls and varied folk cultures.

Last year, 33.2 million tourists visited the province, up 10.6 percent from 2012.

In 2010 the provincial government's plan to build an "international tourist island" was approved by the State Council, marking tourism as a key strategic sector for the island.