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Hainan

China’s largest tropical island boasts all the balmy weather, coconut palms and gold-sand beaches you could ask for. Down at Sanya it’s see-and-be-seen on the boardwalks or escape altogether at some of Asia’s top luxury resorts. Thatched huts and banana pancakes haven’t popped up anywhere yet, but there’s a hint of hipness coming from the east-coast beachside towns, and the budding surf scene is helping to spread the gospel of chill out.

Money is pouring into Hainan (海南, Hǎinán) these days to ramp up the luxury quotient. You can cruise on the high-speed rail, but cycling is still the better way to get around. When you’ve had enough of a lathering on the coast, the cool central highlands are an ideal place to be on two wheels. The good roads, knockout mountain views, and the cultures of the Li and Miao people, the island’s first settlers, give the region an atmosphere distinct from the lowlands.

Explore Hainan

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Hainan.

Guidebooks

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