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SSurfing, palm trees and powdery beaches aren’t usually the first things that come to mind when you think of China. But that’s exactly what you’ll find on
the island of Hainan, the country’s southernmost and smallest province. Located in the South China Sea, the island was in ancient times a lonely backwater inhabited by banished dissidents and other undesirables. As China’s fortunes have soared in the past two decades, the newly wealthy have discovered Hainan, drawn by its sunny shores, clear waters and balmy climate.
Hainan is now home to China’s most luxurious beach resorts as well as pampering spas and internationally acclaimed golf courses. So far, development has focused
on the provincial capital, Haikou, on the north shore, and Sanya, the resort enclave in the south. As a vacation destination, Hainan may not be to everyone’s taste: The crowds of Hawaiian-shirted local tourists are difficult to elude, especially during
the winter high season, and beyond the resort areas there’s little to do. But if you’re
traveling to Hong Kong and looking to squeeze in a relaxing beach escape, the 90-minute flight to Sanya may be just the ticket. Here are some of the best of what Hainan has to offer.
On Spa Time
Sprawling over 215,000 square feet and encompassing 61 treatment rooms, a library, a café and a garden, the spa at the Mission Hills Resort Haikou (1 Mission Hills Blvd., Haikou; 86-898-6868-3888; missionhillschina.com) is one of the world’s largest. Its circular design resembles that of the houses built by the area’s Hakka people, and Chinese traditions are incorporated
in the treatments. The Pearl of the Orient facial uses locally harvested ground pearls, believed to help soothe and hydrate the skin. Some 200 hot and cold springs for bathing are on the grounds.
On Sanya’s scenic Yalong Bay, the Ritz- Carlton, Sanya offers the 30,000-square- foot ESPA, the hotel chain’s largest spa in Asia (Yalong Bay National Resort District; 86-898-8898-8888; ritzcarlton.com).
UNEXPECTED CHINA: you could be excused for thinking you were in Mexico or the Bahamas but this is China.
16 NOVEMBER 2013