Page 10 - Flipbook

FOOD China's best kept secret
Hainan
China
Sunbeds in Sanya, China
Did you know that Hainan, China is a great family holiday destination that’s often overlooked by everyone but the Chinese? This little Chinese province is actually on track to become one
of the world’s leading tourist destinations by 2021 and is set to be the next big thing. In fact, it’s often called the “Hawaii” of Southeast Asia thanks to the distinctive tropical climate and an abundance of fresh cuisine. Asia. Isn’t it time you checked out what all the fuss is about?
Hainan became part of the newly created Hainan Province in 1988 and is China's southernmost province. The capital, Haikou, sits prettily on the northern coast
of Hainan Island, and the popular tourist destination Sanya reels in visitors on the south coast. Thanks to its tropical monsoon climate, known for being a lot like Phuket in Thailand, it has no winter and boasts a comfortable annual climate of 23-25°C.
As the Oriental Hawaii, you won’t want to miss Hainan’s famous beaches in Sanya, which include Dadonghai and Tianya Haijiao. The scenery is absolutely awe-inspiring and along the Tianya Haijiao shoreline, you’ll be greeted with majestic stones beautifully carved with characters depicting local folklore - similar to Aboriginal Dreamtime stories.
Dadonghai beach located 3 km southeast of downtown Sanya
is ideal for diving, beach sports, bathing and sunbathing. Expect clear blue sea, sunshine and white sand plus everything to support a seaside tourist location, including a large shopping square Seashore Park along the shore.
For a spiritual experience like no other head to the Nanshan Culture Tourism Zone, 40 km southwest of Sanya City in the Hainan Province. Countless visitors flock to the area, drawn by the beauty of Nanshan Mountain (South Mountain), making it a principal eco-tourism zone. The area has a profound Buddhist
influence on the surrounding culture made up of three theme parks: Hainan Custom Culture Park, Blessing and Longevity Park, and Buddhism Culture Park. Dine on the area’s renowned vegetarian dishes and be impressed by the acrobatic skills on display during the live Kung Fu performance.
It’s relatively easy and cheap to get around Hainan by taxi, and prices start at around ¥5 (about AU$0.80/NZ$1) for the first 2 km. Be warned, though, that most drivers don’t speak English. There’s a new high-speed railway planned, which will connect Haikou and Sanya, although cycling is also a popular option, and bikes can be hired once you’re there.
In terms of culinary delights like any popular tourist destination, the island has an abundance of food from all over the world but one thing that you just cannot escape when you wander through the streets of any city or town on the island is the aroma of freshly cooked food wafting through the air.
Hainanese cuisine takes its influences from Mainland Chinese food as well as the cooking styles of the indigenous Li and Miao people. The food is light, not as varied as some of China's other regions but it's exceptionally fresh which has propelled Hainan's dishes to worldwide acclaim. Seafood is abundant, so expect to see lots of prawns, oysters and a variety of fish on street food stands and restaurant menus. Equally palatable are organically grown fruit
hainan, an Island metropolis
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