Visit Hainan - Australia's Leading Hainan Holiday and Tour website.

Australian travelers are known for their love of being outdoors and of living amongst the elements. Whether hiking up a mountain, surfing or simply relaxing in the sun by a beach, Australians look for outdoor experiences when choosing their ideal travel destinations, which explains the popularity of places like Bali or Hawaii.

 

But now there is a new destination close to home that offers all of the above without the crowds.

 

For decades, Hainan has been China's best-kept secret. A tropical island in the South China Sea with fresh seafood, luscious rainforest, crystal clear emerald waters and a year-round perfect climate: what many would consider the perfect holiday destination. Until recently, the world has been kept in the dark about this tropical paradise, but the tide is starting to turn.

 

Being the focus of a Chinese Government plan to boost the island's reputation to an international resort destination, Hainan has seen massive investment and development in its tourism sector in recent years. In the past Hainan has been relatively untouched and has seen low levels of visitor traffic, but all this is changing and the island is preparing for tourist numbers to surge.

 

Even if there were nothing else on Hainan Island, the beaches would be enough to draw Australian tourists by the thousands. Located on the same latitude of Hawaii in the South China Sea, Hainan has a tropical climate that sees year-round sunshine and warm water that meets endless, white sandy beaches that stretch for kilometres and are almost empty.

 

The emerald-green water of the South China Sea stretches endlessly around the island, forming some of the longest virgin beaches in Asia, many of which have decent surf, particularly along the island's East Coast and the bays around Sanya City in the south.

 

These beaches have become the home of international surf competitions such as the Quiksilver Surfing Hainan Open, and have a variety of breaks suitable for surfers of any level. Surfing gear can be hired from Surfing Hainan in Sanya city. For more information go to www.surfinghainan.com.

 

Surfing is just one aspect of these beaches that is luring travelers to the island. Divers will be inspired by the coral reefs and abundant marine life that surround the island. A particular point of interest is the nearby archipelago that makes up the Paracel Islands, an untouched marine paradise that is soon to be opened up to resort development and is set to become a hotspot for divers from around the world.

 

Affordable water sports are available at the island's popular beaches, especially in Ri Yue Wan Bay and the stunning Yalong Bay. Here you will find everything from parasailing to jet skis, so you can get a whole different perspective of these tropical beaches.

 

For travelers who aren't as interested in the action options and simply want to relax, Hainan's beaches offer the ideal sanctuary. Sip on a coconut, indulge in the freshest local seafood and simply soak up the Vitamin D and rejuvenate your mind. Better yet, head to one of the many natural hot springs for a relaxing soak in mineral-rich waters and a deep tissue relaxing massage.

 

Further inland, the active Australian traveller will not be disappointed by eco-tourism options available. If hiking is up your alley there are some great options ranging from a few hours to full-day walks. The Seven Fairy-lady Mountain an hour from Sanya city is a good place to start.

 

The walk takes about two hours to the top of the mountain and one hour coming down, and ends with at one of the island's natural hot springs. Tours can be arranged for RMB450 per person and include round transfers from your hotel in Sanya, local lunch, a driver and entry to the hot springs.

 

Better yet, have a hit of golf around volcanic craters in the mountainous north of the island near Haikou, at the prestigious and world-famous Mission Hills Haikou resort. Hainan is making a name for itself as a golfing Mecca, with over 11 world class golf resorts around the island and also playing host to international competitions drawing big name golfers. It has even been labelled as 'that Hawaii type place, but with better golf' by ex-US President George Bush!

 

Perhaps Hainan's most attractive feature is that despite its abundance of natural wonders and popular attractions for Australian travelers, the island still maintains its authentic Chinese charm. With a strong pride in local cuisine, culture and the Li and Miao ethnic groups, Hainan has not sold out to the Western tourism market like so many other island resorts have.

 

There is no better time to visit China's tropical paradise than now. Hainan's relatively new reputation as an international resort island means that you can enjoy all the attractions without the crowds, and at affordable prices. For more information on tour packages and travel information, go to www.visithainan.com.au.

 

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