HAIKOU, China, May 27. / /TASS/. The rise in popularity of the resort town of Sanya in the southern Chinese province of Hainan among young people in recent years has already surpassed many other tourist destinations in China, the Sanya Daily newspaper reported.

According to a CCTV Finance study, Sanya ranked first in the "most popular tourist destination among district-level cities for young people" category in 2025. Official statistics demonstrate that in the initial three months of this year, visitors between the ages of 18 and 35 constituted 31.8% of the grand total of sightseers in Sanya. From February to March, this figure increased to 36.3%. Initially, the publication notes, the resort city attracted mainly middle-aged and elderly tourists, but it has become increasingly popular with young people in recent years.

The newspaper mentions a few reasons why young people have started choosing Sanya more often for their vacations. The mild climate and picturesque beaches are the main draws. However, nature is not the only attraction. Sanya is a vacation destination that offers a variety of activities and entertainment options. These include skydiving, water sports, and yachting, among others.

In 2024, the local skydiving center welcomed over 10,000 visitors, and the number exceeded 6,000 in the first quarter of this year alone. Last year, tourists took more than 127,000 yacht trips.

The publication notes that a vacation in Sanya has changed significantly, no longer resembling the "deckchair plus coconut" formula. The city has captured the demand among young people for a combination of adrenaline and classic beach relaxation, according to the article's authors. Sanya is known for its vibrant cultural scene, which draws a youthful crowd to the city. The city has also gained fame as a place with an active nightclub and bar scene, making it a popular destination for those looking to enjoy a vibrant nightlife.

The authorities have set the goal of transforming Hainan into an “international center for tourism and consumption” by 2025. Often referred to as the “Hawaii of the East,” the Chinese island boasts natural landscapes, tropical forests, and a well-developed hotel network, not to mention beaches and a 1,900-kilometer coastline, which attract visitors from the most remote corners of the world.