HAIKOU, /China/, August 12. /TASS/. The southern Chinese province of Hainan is developing a new tourism model emphasizing wellness vacations and training in traditional medicine, Sanya Ribao reported.

According to the newspaper, the resort city of Sanya on the island’s southern coast plays an important role in developing this tourism sector. The city is home to the Sanya International Friendship Traditional Chinese Medicine Sanatorium, which attracts visitors from Russia and other countries.

The services and disciplines offered to foreigners, primarily students, include acupuncture, herbal therapy, and massage. Sanya Ribao noted that the Hainan Free Trade Port is promoting the internationalization of traditional medicine practices in this way. The 10-day courses are designed for aspiring practitioners from around the world.

Many students visiting Sanya for the first time have taken advantage of this new model, which allows them to combine training with tourism. The organizers provide favorable conditions to ensure participants gain as many practical skills as possible and are not limited to theory.

In particular, foreign specialists learn how to diagnose conditions and select treatment regimens and master traditional methods that have not yet become widespread in Europe, the Americas, or Australia. According to visiting specialists interviewed by the newspaper, this experience will lay a solid foundation for their professional careers. Some are already working in clinics abroad and aim to "address the shortcomings of European education" in this field.

The Sanya Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital regularly organizes internships. Experienced medical professionals teach students treatment methods and popular cosmetic rejuvenation practices.

Wellness programs

Sanya offers foreigners the chance to learn traditional medicine techniques and improve their health. According to Sanya Ribao, more and more people, including Russians, are coming to Hainan specifically for this purpose. Some tourists prepare for these trips in advance and choose a personalized program.

One benefit of Chinese medicine that attracts vacationers from around the world to Sanya is its emphasis on natural treatment methods that help regulate metabolism and restore vitality. China's visa-free policy with several countries, including Russia, has also played a significant role in increasing the number of tourists coming to Hainan for wellness purposes.

According to Sanya International Friendship Traditional Chinese Medicine Sanatorium Deputy Director Kou Zhixiong, the level of acceptance of these methods among foreign patients has risen from “trying it out for the experience” to “targeted treatment.” “In the past, we did our best to promote our services, asking people to come and give them a try. Now they reach out for consultations on their own, wait in line to make appointments, and come to us specifically,” he noted.

The doctor stressed in 2025, his clinic treated approximately 10,700 foreign patients, marking a 42% increase. From January through June of 2026, the medical institution has already treated over 8,000 foreign patients.

Kou Zhixiong emphasized his clinic has branches in Kazakhstan and Canada and provides remote consultations through international platforms in countries such as Australia and France. This network of traditional Chinese medicine services is expected to grow.