5 Days of Annual Leave Left... Golf, Spa, and Movie Trip in the 'Hawaii of the East' Loved by Europe [DiggTravel]

⑧Enjoy Year-End Vacation at the World's Largest Golf Facility... Hainan (海南), China
China's Premier Golf and Resort Destination Known as the 'Hawaii of the East'
Popular Attractions Include Volcanic Mineral Water Spa and Movie Town Recreating the Past

The brief return of warm weather is welcome, but from the weekend after this week, extreme cold with temperatures fluctuating around minus 10 degrees Celsius is expected to return. As tourists increasingly consider using their remaining annual leave for their last vacation of the year, travel destinations equipped with a variety of attractions and activities?such as golf amid the warm weather and beautiful scenery of tropical countries, diverse leisure options, and spas designed with unique themed spaces?are gaining attention. Hainan, known as the 'Hawaii of the East,' is the star among them.

Mission Hills Resort Haikou.
[Photo by Mission Hills Resort Haikou]

Since the endemic phase, the Korea-China travel market has resumed exchanges, and the local tourism infrastructure in Hainan, which was very popular as a winter travel destination before the pandemic, is rapidly expanding its reach. Hainan, called Hainan in Chinese, is a popular resort destination centered around Sanya in the south and Haikou in the north, favored not only by Koreans but also by Europeans. In particular, it is well known in Korea as a favorite spot for family travelers seeking luxury resort vacations and golf enthusiasts aiming to play on world-class golf courses.

Recently, T'way Air (TW) has been operating irregular flights to Sanya and Haikou, and local travel agencies (land operators) are actively launching various travel packages to recover demand to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Mission Hills Haikou, located in Sanya on the northern coast of Hainan Island, China, which is registered in the Guinness World Records as 'THE LARGEST GOLF FACILITY IN THE WORLD' and 'THE LARGEST SPA RESORT IN THE WORLD,' is attracting attention from tourists from Korea and Europe who want to enjoy both leisure and relaxation.

Mission Hills features 10 courses with 18 holes each, totaling 180 holes, including PGA courses that host international tournaments, and offers various difficulty levels, making it popular among adventurous golfers. The northern course, No. 1 'Blackstone,' is a landmark course where the famous 2013 big match between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy took place, leaving a strong impression on the public. It is also well known domestically as the venue for the European Ladies Professional Golf Tour (LET) World Ladies Championship, won by Park In-bee in 2014 and Yoo So-yeon in 2015.

Mission Hills offers 10 courses with a total of 180 holes, allowing golfers to enjoy a variety of difficulty levels.
[Photo by Mission Hills Resort Haikou]

Entertainment options that can be enjoyed even without playing golf are also a pride of this place. Among them, the highlight is the large-scale hot spring and swimming facilities that captivate visitors. Mission Hills operates 539 rooms. From the balconies, guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the outdoor swimming pool designed to resemble a volcano and the world-class golf course scenery.

In particular, 'Mineral Springs Haikou' is renowned as the world's largest volcanic mineral spring hot spring. Comprising 168 hot and cold pools, the hot spring pools are divided into continental-themed zones, adding to the fun of moving around. The mineral-rich hot springs attract many wellness tourists even if they are not golfers. The theme park, composed of spas with various temperatures and diverse designs, is a key factor in enhancing complete relaxation satisfaction.

The Tulou Boutique, inspired by the traditional houses of Fujian Province registered as a UNESCO cultural heritage site, offers experiential programs such as meditation, outdoor barbecues, and yoga. Additionally, movie viewing in a camping-like atmosphere is available, making it popular among family tourists. There are also various restaurants offering cuisine from around the world, a water park, artificial beaches, foot massage centers, billiard halls, and kids clubs operating together as leisure facilities.

Mission Hills Movietown panorama. Divided into three courses by era, visitors can experience various aspects of Chinese history all in one place.
[Photo by Mission Hills Resort Haikou]

Besides resort facilities, Mission Hills operates free shuttle buses to 'Centreville' and 'Movie Town,' expanding the diverse experience environment for tourists. Centreville, located 10 minutes by shuttle from Mission Hills, aims to be a one-stop complex entertainment center. It includes duty-free shops, shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, and bars, and every night a fountain show is held on a street modeled after Hong Kong's nightlife district 'Lan Kwai Fong.'

Movie Town, which has gained great popularity among local tourists, faithfully recreates modern Chinese scenes and is famous locally as a filming location. It is a tourist attraction in Haikou with souvenir shops and museums on every street, divided into three courses by era, requiring a considerable amount of time to explore. Along the streets, visitors can rent traditional Chinese costumes and take photos, and various experiential facilities that offer a glimpse into contemporary life are provided, resulting in high satisfaction among family visitors. Theater performances and various parade events are also held.

Recently, Sanya has renovated and opened various theme parks in addition to golf resorts to attract diverse tourists. Hainan Ocean Paradise Waterpark, opened in December 2021, is a new water park covering a large area of 133 hectares with five parks featuring numerous rides and over 1,500 species of marine life.

The Mangrove Tree Resort World Sanya Bay, representing Sanya, is a massive resort located in the city center with six towers housing over 3,700 rooms, a huge water park, shopping mall, gourmet street, and convention center. It is close to the international airport and has excellent accessibility to major tourist spots in Sanya, including night markets, making it very popular among Korean tourists. The nearby night market sells various local foods, and especially for Korean tourists who prefer sashimi, premium grouper sashimi is available for around 10,000 KRW, offering a diverse experience.

A panoramic view of Mangrove Tree Resort World Sanya Bay, representing Sanya. [Photo by Mangrove Tree Resort World Sanya Bay]

Kwon Soon-hwan, CEO of Smile Marketing and a GSA operating across Hainan, said, "As China resumes tourism, major golf courses and resorts in Hainan are actively attracting tourists, and we are preparing various solutions to address complaints arising from cultural and emotional differences between Korea and China." He explained, "For example, smoking inside rooms is not objectionable in China, but it is in Korea, so it is necessary to designate rooms exclusively for Koreans. We are also negotiating with resorts to improve convenience by requesting breakfast menus suited to Korean tastes."

Having personally inspected various changes and improvements across Hainan earlier this year, CEO Kwon said, "T'way Air started operating charter flights twice a week on the Incheon-Sanya route from July 5, which has now expanded to four times a week, and charter flights to Haikou are also operating. As supply seats increase, demand naturally rises, so this is a foundational period for the peak season. If air service expands, Hainan can regain its status as a bestselling travel destination."

Hainan, the only tropical island in China with a mild climate all year round and called the 'Hawaii of the East,' has applied a visa-free entry policy for international travelers since March, actively expanding various tourist attraction programs. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs allows foreigners holding passports from 59 eligible countries to enter Hainan visa-free for 30 days. During the stay, travelers can travel throughout Hainan Province without a Chinese visa, and the number of tourists seeking to enjoy both leisure and relaxation is expected to increase further.