Guest Author - Taisha Turner

Are you looking for unspoiled beaches with white powdery sands in Southeast Asia? Hainan Island, China is the place. Hainan Island is located 1 mile south of mainland China or 300 miles southwest of Hong Kong, China. It is China’s smallest island province.

Hainan Island is sometimes called “the Oriental Hawaii.” The China tropical island temperature is a balmy 75 degrees. Palm tree fronds sway in the breeze. In addition to the gorgeous beaches, there are hot springs, lush forests, and mountains.

Sanya and Haikou are the island’s major cities. This is where most tourists stay. The island has coconut, coffee, spice and pineapple plantations. Banana plantations produce millions pounds of fruit. In the spring, banana trees resemble green waterfalls dripping purple flowers. There are rice paddies covering the mountain slopes.

The beaches of Hainan Island are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The South China Sea's blue waters are calm. White breakers softly lap the beaches. Of course, for the active, there are diving, snorkeling, jet-sking and even parasailing.

There is much to do on the beautiful island. Pool or beach lazing draws the vast number of tourists but there is golfing, hiking, cycling and tennis. The anglers have several rivers and streams from which to choose for fishing.

The wildlife reserves offer for viewing a vast array of native birds and animals. Black gibbons, thamin(deer), moonrats and rhesus monkeys dot the steamy, tropical forests. Overhead, bird watchers sight the leaf warbler, partridge, ratchet-tailed treepie and pale-capped pigeon.

Cultural enthusiasts find interest in the hillside villages of the Li and Miao ethnic groups. Their small thatched-roof villages ring the countryside. Lucky tourists enjoy visits to their farms. The singing and dancing are the highlight of the visit. Of course, there are many temples to explore.

There is beautiful weather to enjoy all year round. Plan to visit this Chinese province. It is perfect as a main destination or side trip.

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