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

At the southernmost point of China, a coastal city lies facing the emerald waters of the South China Sea. Ancient Persian tombs along the coast tell of the 10,000-year history of this city, spanning dynasties and periods of occupation by everything Buddhist missionaries and the Japanese navy. Nicknamed 'the end of the sky and ocean', the city of Sanya is fast becoming one of the world's top resort destinations.

Located on the same latitude as Hawaii, Sanya city, the resort capital of Hainan Island Province, is most renowned for its tropical climate, year-round warm weather and sparkling, emerald green virgin beaches. It is literally a breath of fresh air, with the cleanest air quality of any city in China.

Until recently, this city has been one of Asia's best kept secrets, but as the word has gradually spread it is no wonder why this city has become so popular. Sanya has found itself in the international spotlight as the hosting city for a plethora of political meetings such as the BRICS summit, sporting competitions like the Mission Hills Golfing Cup, and five times host of the prestigious Miss World Beauty Competition. It was even the first city to receive the Olympic Torch a the start of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

In Sanya, one can find a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, of man-made and natural wonders. The perfect example is the extraordinary feat of modern architecture that is Phoenix Island, one of two luxury private man-made islands in Hainan. Home to numerous five-star boutique apartments and the island's first seven-star hotel alongside sporting facilities and world-class shopping complex, Phoenix Island has been dubbed 'the Oriental Dubai'.

There is an abundance of five-star resorts, with hotel brands such as Hilton, Sheraton, Le Meridien and the Mandarin Oriental boasting ideal beachfront or central city locations, luxury spa and beauty facilities and world-class restaurants offering everything from local to international cuisine. Our pick would have to be the Le Meridien Shimei Bay, opening up onto a stunning and secluded six kilometre stretch of white sandy beach.

Sanya has also made a name for itself as a top shopping destination, almost overtaking Hong Kong as the preferred shopping holiday destination for Mainland Chinese tourists. Alongside boutique and high-end fashion, the Sanya Duty Free Store has made a huge impact in tourist numbers. As of April 2011, Sanya became one of only a handful of duty free areas around the world, meaning customers leaving Hainan by air are able to purchase up to 18 types of commodities tax free.

Step away from the bustling modern city life and you will find the streets are buzzing with tradition and rich with culture. The local markets are the ideal place to witness locals going about their daily life. On the South end of Hongqi street is a huge market selling everything from seafood and local fruits to clothes and pearl products with prices much lower than at large-scale stores.

Start to head away from the bustling city centre of Sanya and you will soon discover the secrets that make this city such a unique place. The beaches are breathtakingly beautiful, and incredibly empty of tourists. It is possible to have kilometers of picture-perfect beaches to yourself, something that is rare in many of Asia's popular tourist destinations. For an ideal swimming beach go to Dadonghai, or if you are a keen surfer head to Yalong Bay.

Head west of Sanya for about 40km and you will hit the Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Zone, an area of three parks that emanate peace, tranquility and balance. The park has a strong history of Buddhism in Hainan, and has become an important landmark for Buddhists across China. The highlight is the 108m bronze statue of Guan Yin Buddha, standing taller than the statue of liberty. Tours to the Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Zone can be arranged from tour operators or hotels in Sanya, and will include an English speaking guide and lunch at the park's vegetarian restaurant.

Perhaps one of the most romantic natural highlights of a trip to Sanya is Tianya Haijiao, which literally means 'edge of the sky, rim of the sea'. Lying by the Maling Mountain and facing the sea, Tianya Haijiao has become a popular location for weddings or romantic getaways for young lovers. The story goes that two fairy maidens transformed themselves into large stones to shelter fishermen caught in a storm. The two maidens stayed to protect the fishermen forever, and the Mother Goddess, angered that they refused to return to Heaven, permanently trapped the two in stone.

For something a little more out of the ordinary, a visit to Nanwan Monkey Island south of Lingshui County will always be a hit. Amongst a tropical island setting with coconut palms, coral reefs and sandy beaches, more than 2,000 monkeys wait to greet you. The island is accessed by an over-sea ropeway that is 2138 metres long, giving a fantastic view of the ocean and fishing ranks.

Transport within and around Sanya City is easy, with plenty of taxis to take you around the city and local busses that service the island. Hotels and resorts will arrange guided tours to Sanya's many highlights, as well as transport across the island and to and from the Sanya Pheonix International Airport. For more information on visiting Sanya City, go to www.visithainan.com.au.