Located off the coast of southern China’s Guangdong province is Hainan province, the smallest of all China’s provinces, but that does not impinge on the region’s cultural appeal. Its most popular tourist destination is the resort town of Sanya, located on the island’s southern coastal belt. Sanya is renowned for its balmy tropical climate, which makes it the ideal place to indulge in a range of fun outdoor activities for the entire family, such as swimming, snorkelling, surfing, hiking and rock-climbing.
Within Sanya is the popular Yalong Bay, which is the premier location to indulge in some quality fun in the sun, as it resides on the same latitude as the vibrant Hawaiian Islands of the tropical monsoon region. Boasting rolling emerald hillsides, pristine white beaches that extend for 7 glorious kilometres and a calm sapphire sea, it is a paradise on earth with multiple avenues for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Visibility of the sea reaches a depth of 8 metres, making it perfect for snorkelers to interact firsthand with the exotic marine life. Adventure seekers can also indulge in a bout of rock climbing, as the area offers an intriguing array of unique rock formations that are simply begging further exploration.
Within Yalong Bay itself are a couple of tiny islands with ample opportunities to scale exciting rock surfaces. Venture to the centre of the bay at Boar Island, and check out the enthralling arenas ripe for climbing. Dongzhou and Zizhou are two prime islands located to the southern area of the bay, while the western regions of Dongpai and Zipai afford fantastic views and topographies. Jinmu Cape and Yalong Cape are also great spots for some quality hiking and rock-climbing, so grab your gear and get climbing!
One of Hainan Island’s claims to fame is that it is home to the largest concentrations of butterflies in China, which has led it to be titled “Butterfly Kingdom”. Interested visitors can check out the colourful specimens numbering more than 2000 at the Sanya Butterfly Valley, which features an open air cage that allows you close interactions with the droves of multi-hued butterflies flitting all around you. Sanya Butterfly Valley also houses some of the country’s rarest butterfly species, such as the Peking Papilio.
After some quality relaxation on the beach or a day of exciting sightseeing and adrenaline pumping activity, choose a quality resort in Sanya for some ample rest and rejuvenation. An excellent choice comes in the form of the Anantara Sanya Resort & Spa. With its luxury interiors, contemporary amenities and services and a friendly staff brimming with hospitality, this Sanya resort is a choice option to host your next vacation.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+