At the far south of Chine lies Hainan Island, a prime destination for Chinese travelers seeking to escape pollution and rejuvenate by the seaside... A glimpse into this tropical paradise!

Many expats we've met wondered where they could find a place suitable for seaside relaxation. Truth be told, Chine doesn't exactly strike one as the ideal destination for beach leisure...

Nevertheless, in Chine as in France, salvation lies to the south! Last week we introduced you to the beach resort of Yangjiang, a beach far from Malaysian or Philippine standards but which nonetheless offers a pleasant way to unwind away from the cities. Today, we're raising the bar with the discovery of the coastal city of Sanya!

Sanya is located on Hainan Island, Chine's smallest province, and represents the pinnacle of Chine's beaches. And for good reason—it sits roughly at the same latitude as Hawaii and thus enjoys climate conditions similar to those of the Caribbean... Sanya is often dubbed the "Hawaii of the Orient" given its natural assets for attracting tourists: sea, beaches, forests, verdant hills, hot springs, caves... Paradise-like scenery abounds and leaves no one indifferent.

Little wonder, then, that this sparked the rush of Chinese vacationers, who flock here by the millions each year to enjoy this pristine nature. In this sense, Sanya tends to project the image of a sought-after tourist destination, with all the benefits and drawbacks that entails.

Interestingly, should you stay in Sanya, you'll encounter many Russian tourists, particularly at Dadonghai Bay, where the atmosphere recalls Uncle Joseph's country, from the music to the gastronomy.

The other flagship beach of Sanya and undoubtedly the most well-known is Yalong Bay, white sand and palm trees stretching for over 7 kilometers. Its beauty prompted the construction of numerous internationally renowned hotels: the Gloria Resort, the Sheraton Sanya Resort, and the Carlton-Ritz sit side by side, offering affluent tourists the most luxurious stays possible.

Against this backdrop, the announcement of a cashless casino at the Mangrove Tree Bay Resort came as little surprise.

It should be noted that gambling has been prohibited in Chine since Mao Zedong came to power in 1949, except in Macao, which we visited two years ago and which is actually a special administrative and autonomous region.

This global gaming hub, located just 1 hour's flight from Sanya and enjoying a gambling monopoly in Chine, generates billions of dollars in revenue each year, primarily from Chinese players.

The government seemingly appears poised to reassess its stance on gambling, and may lift restrictions by accepting this "full-scale test." Operations would function somewhat differently from traditional casinos—rather than pocketing cash, players would earn points, which they could use to pay for their hotel room and any other products sold on-site. A situation to watch...

The third and final beach of Sanya goes by the straightforward name of Sanya Bay. It's the most appealing for tight budgets and those seeking more tranquility. You'll also find there the famous artificial island Phoenix Island, which inevitably calls to mind Dubai and its sprawling luxury complexes under construction...

Sanya is thus a destination to prioritize if you're seeking a quality beach resort. Do be aware, however, that living here is quite expensive, far removed from mainland standards, and you'll need to dig deep for even modest accommodation. Is this the price to pay for enjoying vast stretches of fine sand, varied landscapes, tropical climate, and perfect temperatures year-round? Without question—and the situation will only worsen as the government intends to transform Sanya, and Hainan more broadly, into an "international-caliber tourist destination" by 2020. Let's hope this development doesn't come at the expense of the environment, as is often the case in Chine...