Shopping 'heaven' on island province

It has long been paradise for tourists and soon it will be heaven for shoppers, too. Hainan, the southernmost province of China, is on the way to becoming an international shopping center.

With an investment of more than 5 billion yuan ($810 million), the Haitangwan Duty-Free Shopping Center in Sanya, the southernmost city of Hainan Island, will start business in September, according to Sanya Duty-Free Store Co.

The mall plans to attract nearly 300 international brands including Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci and Cartier. Some 21 categories of items will be on sale ranging from perfume and cosmetics to jewelry, watches, clothes, and bags.