'Sportcation' enthusiasts find place in the sun

Surfers' paradise

China's version, however, has developed its own characteristics, with a greater emphasis on self-improvement. The destination is the gym and the vacation is a personal development project.

Wanning's seaside playground provides the perfect setting for such journeys.

Surfing and tropical rainforest outdoor activities are two popular pursuits. As of May 15, searches for surfing-related products in Hainan grew 136 percent month-on-month, data from Tongcheng Travel showed.

Wanning has 109 kilometers of coastline, three distinct bays and more than 160 surf clubs. Riyue Bay's waves are rated among the most consistent in the world for nearly 300 days a year, with the average sea temperature hovering around 26 C. It has a dedicated community of surfers, coaches and enthusiasts, with more than 500,000 visitors coming every year for surfing, according to local tourism figures.

"China's surfing scene looks to Wanning, and Wanning's surfing is at Riyue Bay," said Li Zijia, founder of a local surf club.

International visitors are also taking notice of Wanning. Russian actor Ivan Maverick, who now resides in Wanning, said, "I've surfed in the US and Indonesia, but Wanning's wave conditions and community vibe are truly unique."

For foreign tourists, he added," the visa-free policy and mobile payment options are also very traveler-friendly".

Booking demand for surfing-themed hotels near Wanning's Riyue Bay and Shenzhou Peninsula has risen rapidly, according to Tongcheng Travel.

Some visitors stay only a few days, buying passes and ticking off their bucket-list activities such as surfing, Hyrox, and paddleboarding, while snapping photos for their social media accounts.

Others rent apartments for a month or more, drawing up weekly training schedules and integrating exercise into their daily routines.