After Egypt and Turkey became inaccessible resorts for our tourists, we had to look for options, at least not worse. In China, such a corner of paradise life is located on the island of Hainan. But domestic tour operators offer to settle in only one town - Sanya. And there are so many interesting things around! Our advice to you. If you are going to this island, do not sit in a hotel, travel around the island and discover all the attractions.
Hainan - overseas wonder
China most of our compatriots associate with cheap goods and crowds of people. Few people think that this country is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean along almost the entire eastern coast, here are real paradises. The sights of Hainan begin to show the gaze of the tourist immediately afterI will fly it from the island itself, which looks no worse than Hawaii or the Maldives.
In China, Hainan is the 1 resort. The richest people come here to enjoy the virgin nature and many kilometers of white sandy beaches. You can not worry about the congestion of the beaches - there is enough space for everyone. But the main merit is the perfectly preserved ancient and natural sights. Hainan is rightly proud of them.
For lovers of sunbathing
If you are looking for interesting adventures on the water, but at the same time want to sunbathe longer under the gentle sun, go to Yalong Bay, which is located near Sanya. Here you can go scuba diving, sail with the breeze on a yacht and spend the day playing golf.
More active sea activities can be found on the opposite side - in the west of Haikou. Even if you are not a guest of the hotel located there, you will be allowed to visit the thermal pool. Among the unique services are pools with biting fish. Don't be afraid, they just peel - they gnaw on dead cells and thus rejuvenate the skin.
Closer to the wild
Almost 50% of the territory is occupied by nature reserves and parks on the island of Hainan (Sanya). The attractions here are created by nature itself. And plunge into the world of flora and fauna is not difficult anywhere in the resort. Monkey Island - Nanwan is very popular. It can only be reached by a cable car across the sea. This is an amazing place where monkeys of different species can betouch, touch and interact with them. Just watch carefully, otherwise these perspicacious individuals can easily steal all your food supplies.
There is an amazing oceanarium not far from Sanya itself. Both children and adults enjoy visiting, because here are collected the most amazing and rarest representatives of the marine world in China.
In the evening you can go to the reserve, located 20 km from Sanya. They put on a real bloodthirsty show with the participation of crocodiles. But none of the animals and people suffer. But the impressions from communicating with the most dangerous predators will last for the rest of the year.
Explore Buddhism
If you are wondering what Hainan's brightest sights are, the reviews will surely push you to the need to visit the largest Asian center of Buddhism. Nanshan is a huge temple complex, for which an artificial island was specially created. Today it is a center of pilgrimage for believers and tourists.
The central structure of the complex is the temple of the Goddess of Mercy. The statue of the goddess herself crowns the top of the cathedral. The size is impressive - 108 meters, it's even bigger than the legendary Statue of Liberty.
Another majestic person erected in stone is the statue of the goddess Guanyin. It took 140 kg of gold and countless precious stones to create it. The goddess personifies wisdom, willpower, mercy, and at her foot a lotus flower opens, symbolizing purity. Buddhist beginning. The statue is listed in the Guinness Book of Records, because it contains a grain of the ashes of the Buddha Shakya Muni, the founder of this religion.
The origins of Taoism
In addition to those who believe in the Buddha, there are many among the Chinese who are supporters of Taoism. This is another ancient culture about which sights have been preserved (Hainan Island, China). The brightest representative among the many temple complexes is Dong Tian, which includes the Heavenly Grottoes, the Wonders of the Sea Park and the Mountains.
All the temples here are active, despite the fact that they are over 800 years old. Thousands of Taoists come here every year with only one purpose - to bow to the patron saint of religion - the Southern Dragon. He, according to legend, is one of the four patrons of the entire globe. Naturally, there are many stories associated with this legend that local guides will be happy to tell you.
Back to the past
You can always find something to be surprised at about. Hainan. Attractions and entertainment are literally on every corner. Another one of the unique centers is Li and Miao Ethnic Culture Park. Now in China it is almost impossible to find folk houses with a semicircular roof, which we imagine, remembering the Celestial Empire. But thanks to such parks, the identity and culture of indigenous peoples is preserved.
This is exactly what the Li and Miao people are for Hainan Island. The first settlers sailed here a thousand years ago. Now you can learn about architecture, creativity and traditions,just walking around the territory and visiting various master classes. In the evenings, bright fire shows are organized here.
Learn all about the tea ceremony
How is it to be in China and not attend a real tea ceremony? After all, tea drinking here occupies a special place in any home. This is a whole ritual that any tourist must join.
All local sights (Hainan has a huge variety of them) are natural resources. And the island plays an important role in tea production. On the slopes of the mountains, an elite variety is grown under the name "Favorite tea of the imperial concubine", or another name for it - "Snow drink". A visit to the plantation and an initiation into the secrets of the tea ceremony is an obligatory component of any excursion program.
Jewels of the Deep Sea
Sightseeing Hainan stores not only on land, but also in the sea. For local residents, pearl mining has always been the main and only means of obtaining money. In addition, the climate of the South China Sea is considered the most favorable for growing the precious resource on an industrial scale. Today, Hainan pearls are exported all over the world and are highly valued among jewelers.
You too can join the beauty by visiting the plantation and pearl museum. Here you can learn and see how a small mother-of-pearl bead is created, what stagesgrowth passes and what awaits her when she is ready to leave her shell. Finished products can be purchased at fairly low prices. So don't forget to find your pearl.
Mountain of five fingers
One of the most beautiful places on about. Hainan is the highest point - Mount Wuzhishan. Its height is 1867 m, but the most amazing thing is the top. From a distance it seems that this is a hand with five fingers. Like all the mysterious and extraordinary natural creations in China, this place is considered sacred and filled with a lot of stories and legends.
Climbing to the top is not so easy. This task is not for the weak he alth of people. There are five routes in total, two of them are ennobled with stairs and railings, and the rest are intended for climbers with special equipment.
The peaks of the mountain are often shrouded in mist. This creates an even greater atmosphere of mystery and mysticism. And there are a lot of such places on Hainan Island. To visit them all means to discover the wonderful world of Chinese culture. Hainan Island, whose sights are impressive, is one of the ten most beautiful places on the planet.