HAIKOU /China/, January 26. /TASS/. The resort city of Sanya on the southern coast of Hainan Island has attracted a large stream of tourists from Russia ahead of the Lunar New Year (also known as the Spring Festival, which falls on January 29 in 2025) holidays, China News Service reported, noting that many Russians are vacationing in the resort for the first time.
Russian tourists are attracted not only by the warm climate and beaches, but also by the lively New Year's Eve atmosphere, festive lanterns and colorful street decorations. Russian tourists are happy to immerse themselves in this atmosphere and are eager to try traditional sweets and local cuisine.
Russians arriving in Hainan on the eve of the Spring Festival include people of all ages. Some of them are interested in Chinese culture, especially calligraphy. Others are impressed by the colorful performances of the island's ethnic minorities - the Li and the Miao. Russians are very active in sharing their impressions on social networks, posting numerous photos and videos, immersing themselves in the hustle and bustle of China's southernmost province.
Local entrepreneurs told journalists that tourists from Russia, as well as other foreigners, like to buy holiday souvenirs in Hainan. Some like traditional Chinese clothes and stylized modern versions to match.
Russia is the main source of foreign tourists coming to Hainan. According to the calculations of the Russian Association of Tour Operators, 178.4 thousand Russian citizens will visit the island in 2024. This is 11 times more than in 2023
Sanya is China's leading resort city, home to more than 1 million people. According to official estimates, its gross domestic product will exceed 100 billion yuan (about $14 billion at current exchange rates) in 2024, an increase of 5%. Its average annual temperature reaches 25.4 degrees Celsius, and its coastline is about 260 kilometers long. Local waters include 19 bays and about 40 islands suitable for tourism - all this allows the local government to successfully develop yachting, cruise tourism, beach and family vacationing.