Discovering China's own Hawaii
While China isn't widely known for its beautiful beaches, a growing number of travelers are making tracks in the sand for the shores of Hainan. The tropical island province has been dubbed "The Hawaii of China" and is today the No 1 domestic vacation destination among Chinese.
It hosted 18 million travelers in 2007, up 15 percent from the previous year, of which nearly 6 million were foreigners, a staggering 63 percent increase from 2006, according to the provincial tourism bureau.
Most holidaymakers arrive at the southern port city of Sanya. Waves of tourists wash over the city's 209 km of coast-line all year long, but the bays offer dramatically different takes on fun in the sun.
Sanya Bay is the least crowded seaside experience near downtown and has the most local feel. Here, tourists are outnumbered by fishermen hauling in the catch of the day, chuanr (kebob) vendors grilling every species of sea creature they can poke a stick through and motor drivers eager to take visitors for a spin along the strand.
Sanya Bay's beach is anything but manicured, and strands of palm trees push their way right up to the foreshore. Taking a sunset stroll here means navigating constellations of fallen coconuts and huddles of traditional wooden fishing boats - often occupied by snoozing trawlers.
The strand here is studded with a wider array of colorful seashells than anywhere else on the island.
Those looking for more of a party place should head for Dadonghai (Big East Bay), which teems with bikini-clad tourists. Strands of buoys separate the swimmers from the fleets of jet skis and speedboats towing parasailers and water-skiers that zip across the combers.
Onshore, rows of sunbathers are punctuated by games of football and volleyball and even the odd swimsuit photo shoot. Pearl vendors from ethnic minorities, freelance masseurs and travel agents also prowl these sands hunting for clients from out of town.