Rising tide of tourist attractions in Hainan

By Wang Yi ( China Daily )

Updated: 2011-05-19

New ways of overland travel are also under development, with recreational vehicle (RV) sites being built or planned.

Popular in the West as traveling homes, RVs will soon be able to take a leisurely road trip to a national RV tourism demonstration base in Hainan built by the China Tourism Group or the RV campsites planned by Beijing-based Centech RV Co.

The province's first RV camping site opened in Haikou in early February, enabling tourists to experience a new mobile lifestyle and view the natural landscape beyond the seaside, including the island's rich tropical forests.

A growing number of couples favor Hainan for their holidays, enjoying scuba diving, ocean cruises or even wedding ceremonies wearing the traditional clothing of Hainan's native Li ethnic group and honeymoons in a forest hut.

The local government also plans to improve infrastructure and introduce more water sports to the island in the near future.

Cruise ship moored in Hainan. Photos provided to China Daily

An average of 10,000 tourists visit the duty-free store in Sanya daily. Photos provided to China Daily

Tourism is increasingly expanding from the seashore to inland tropical forests. Photos provided to China Daily