Hainan is China’s southernmost island and the country’s only tropical province. Formally it is part of the PRC, but it feels like a resort of a different scale: palms, the ocean and a water temperature above 24°C even in winter, when it is minus in Beijing. For Russians it is one of the most straightforward options for “Asia in winter”: visa-free for up to 30 days, developed resort infrastructure in Sanya and a season that starts just when warmth ends at home. This article is a general hub for the island: when to go, how to get there, where to stay, how much it costs, what tourists say and where to go for details.
- Visa: not needed for up to 30 days on an ordinary passport; the visa-free regime has been extended until 31 December 2027.
- Season: November to March — dry, sunny, warm water; summer is rainier, with the typhoon peak from July to September.
- Where: Sanya — the resort in the south; Haikou — the provincial capital in the north and a transit hub.
- Payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay, Russian cards do not work.
- Next: below are links to detailed materials by month, bay, transport, medicine and shopping.
Where Hainan is and how to get there
The island lies in the South China Sea, south of mainland China, at a latitude close to Hawaii. There are two main airports: Sanya (Phoenix, the southern part of the island, the resort zone) and Haikou (the provincial capital, the north of the island, a business and transit centre). Direct flights from Moscow occur in high season, at other times with a connection via mainland China.
The flight from Moscow takes about 9–10 hours in the air (non-stop) — a distance comparable to a flight to Southeast Asia. How to choose a flight and airport we covered in the articles on flights to China and China’s airports. The road between the northern and southern parts of the island is a high-speed train along the coast; details are in the article transport in Hainan.
Do you need a visa for Hainan
Hainan is part of China, and the entry rules for Russians are the same as for the whole country: visa-free for up to 30 days on an ordinary passport, excluding official and diplomatic passports. There is no separate “Hainan-only” visa — you do not need to arrange one if the trip fits within 30 days.
Details of the visa-free regime, registration at the place of stay and what to do if you need to stay longer are in the articles on the China visa and do you need a visa for Hainan in 2026.
When is the best time to go: the season in Hainan
The rule “spring and autumn are the best time” that works for mainland China does not apply to Hainan. It is a tropical island, and its high beach season is winter, roughly November to March: dry, sunny, with a comfortable temperature of both water and air.
In summer the island is warm too, but two downsides are added: the rainy season and the risk of typhoons, whose peak falls on July–September. Planning a trip strictly for a beach holiday in this period is risky — a typhoon can spoil several days in a row.
| Period | What to expect | More |
|---|---|---|
| November | The start of the season: warm, fewer tourists, comfortable water | Hainan in November |
| December | Dry and sunny, swimming is possible, prices rise closer to the holidays | Hainan in December |
| January–February | The peak of the season and Chinese holidays: crowded and more expensive | Chinese New Year 2027 |
| March–April | Warm, mild weather; a good balance of price and weather | Weather in Sanya by month |
| July–September | Hot and humid, the typhoon peak | Seasons in China |
Most questions are about “Hainan in November” and “Hainan in December”: in both articles we covered the weather, the water temperature and whether it is worth going. The overall picture for the country is in the article when to go to China, and a selection of winter destinations in China in winter: where to go.
Sanya and Haikou — what’s the difference
Sanya is the island’s resort capital in the south: white sand, the bays of Dadonghai, Yalong Bay and Sanya Bay, international-chain hotels right on the beach. It is here that the overwhelming majority of tourists go for a beach holiday.
Haikou is the administrative centre of the province in the north of the island, more industrial and without a pronounced resort profile. It is usually a transit point (airport, connection) rather than a place to book a hotel for a whole holiday. A comparison of the two cities is in the article Haikou or Sanya.
Within Sanya the three main resort districts differ in spirit: Dadonghai is the most budget-friendly and crowded, next to the city centre; Yalong Bay is a premium bay with large resorts and a calmer atmosphere; Sanya Bay is a long promenade between them, a compromise on price and location. It is also worth knowing about Haitang Bay — a resort with huge hotel complexes. The choice of bay is the most important choice of the trip, so read the articles which bay to choose a hotel in and the Sanya resort in 2026–2027.
What a holiday is like: what tourists usually note
Queries like “Hainan tourist reviews” are usually looking for an honest picture. We do not quote other people’s reviews, but we summarise what repeats in travellers’ accounts:
- Pluses: warm water in winter, clean beaches at good hotels, the service of international chains, variety — from quiet bays to water parks, a clear visa-free regime.
- Minuses: high prices in resort zones, crowds on Chinese holidays, a language barrier outside hotels, the need to set up payment and connectivity in advance.
- Disappointments: the city beaches of Dadonghai are not to everyone’s taste — they are crowded; the weather in January is sometimes overcast; the water near the shore is not as clear as in the Maldives.
- Who it suits: those who need a “ticket to warmth” without a visa and with good service; families with children; lovers of spa and Chinese medicine.
Reviews from 2026 on different platforms depend greatly on the season and the hotel, so the main advice is to choose the bay and hotel to suit your style of holiday rather than by overall rating. A selection of hotels with guest ratings is in the section Hainan hotels.
What to see in Hainan
Besides a beach holiday, the island has several notable nature and theme parks: the Buddhist complex at Cape Nanshan, the tropical park Yanoda with rainforest, a water park and the “Deer Turning Its Head” park with a viewing platform over Sanya. For the active there is diving and snorkelling in Yalong Bay, where the water is calmer and clearer than at the central beaches.
- The Nanshan cultural zone — the Guanyin statue and temple complex.
- Atlantis Sanya — a water park and aquarium, convenient for families.
- The Romantic Park — shows and an evening programme.
- Yachts, fishing and diving — sea entertainment and the season.
- Excursions in Sanya — tickets and tours in Russian.
How to choose where to stay
| District | For whom | What to bear in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Dadonghai | A budget holiday, proximity to the centre and restaurants | Crowded, an urban beach |
| Sanya Bay | A compromise on price and location | A long promenade, less “resort” atmosphere |
| Haitang Bay | Families, big hotel complexes, shopping | Far from the centre, hotel-centred |
| Yalong Bay | A premium and calm holiday, spa | More expensive, less “city” life nearby |
If you travel with children, look for hotels with their own beach and pools; if for spa and quiet, Yalong Bay; if you want to walk in the evenings and eat in different places, Dadonghai or Sanya Bay.
A sample plan for a trip of 7–10 days
- Days 1–2: arrival in Sanya, check-in, rest on the beach, an evening walk along the promenade.
- Day 3: Nanshan — the temple complex and the Guanyin statue.
- Day 4: a sea day — snorkelling or a yacht, then a calm evening.
- Day 5: Yanoda or another tropical park, local fruit at the market.
- Day 6: shopping at a shopping complex, spa or massage.
- Day 7 onwards: a beach holiday, a trip to Haikou or into the interior of the island if you wish.
Don’t pack the programme to the brim: tropical heat and sun quickly tire, and the best option is one “event” a day.
What to bring and how to prepare
- Sunscreen and a hat: ultraviolet levels are high all year round.
- A light wrap: air conditioning works hard indoors.
- Mosquito repellent.
- A charged power bank and offline maps. The full list is in the article what to bring to China.
- Set-up wallets and connectivity: payment and internet are the main things to do before departure.
Food in Hainan
The island’s cuisine is seafood, Hainanese chicken rice, coconut dishes and fresh tropical fruit. Sanya has many restaurants with aquariums: you choose live fish and prawns, and the cooks prepare them to your taste. Confirm the price per portion or weight in advance: this is the most frequent cause of disputes over the bill. For familiar food there are chain coffee shops and restaurants, and shopping centres have food courts. General rules of conduct in Chinese venues are in the article mentality and etiquette in China, and for night markets what to try and how to behave.
Safety and health
The island is safe for tourists, like all of China: typical problems are sunburn, inflated prices from street traders and overpaying for services without an agreed price. It is worth swimming at guarded beaches and paying attention to coloured flags: in stormy weather you must not enter the water. The general rules are in the article safety in China for a tourist. Insurance covering medical expenses is a must by common sense.
Money and prices in Hainan
Hainan is part of China, the same currency (the yuan) and the same payment system apply: Alipay and WeChat Pay are the main way to pay, a Russian card cannot be linked to them in any form, and cash yuan remain legal tender and must be accepted. A detailed breakdown of payment methods is in the article on Alipay and WeChat for a foreigner, and on exchange in currency exchange in China.
Sanya is a resort city, and prices for food and services there are noticeably higher than the mainland China average: the tourist flow and the imported logistics (an island) tell. How to calculate the trip budget we covered in the article how much money to take to China.
Connectivity in Hainan
Internet restrictions on the island are the same as on the mainland: Google, WhatsApp and Telegram are unavailable through the local network. The simplest solution is roaming or an international eSIM, which you must buy before departure: internet in China for tourists and eSIM for China.
Shopping in Hainan
Hainan has a special status: the island is a duty free zone for domestic trips by Chinese citizens, so Sanya has several large beauty/duty-free format shopping complexes (including the Global Duty Free chain and malls like Joy City). Who is entitled to purchases, how it works and where the discounts are is covered in the article duty free in Hainan; check the conditions for foreigners at the specific shop. A separate story is VAT refunds: tax free in China.
Health and medicine
Medical tourism is developed in Hainan (traditional Chinese medicine, spa, rehabilitation). If you are interested in treatment or are afraid of falling ill on the trip, see the materials hospitals, insurance and pharmacies of Sanya and sanatorium and spa treatment in Hainan.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Hainan separate from China?
No. China’s general visa-free regime for Russians applies — up to 30 days on an ordinary passport.
Which season is best in Hainan?
Winter, November to March: dry and comfortable. In summer — the rainy season and the risk of typhoons, especially in July–September.
Hainan in November: is it worth going?
Yes, November is the start of the season: warm, fewer tourists. Details are in the article Hainan in November.
Hainan in December: can you swim?
Yes, the water in December stays warm. More in the article Hainan in December.
Hainan: tourist reviews — is it worth going?
The holiday will please those who want warmth in winter, service and a visa-free regime; it disappoints those who expect perfect water like the Maldives or cheap prices. Everything depends on the bay and the hotel.
Sanya or Haikou — where to go for a holiday?
Sanya is the resort south of the island with beaches and hotels. Haikou is the administrative north, usually a transit point rather than a place for a beach holiday.
How long is the flight to Hainan from Moscow?
On a direct flight — about 9–10 hours. With a connection via mainland China it is longer, and the exact time depends on the connection.
What currency is used in Hainan?
The Chinese yuan (CNY), as in all of China. Russian cards cannot be linked to local payment systems, and cash yuan must be accepted.
What is there to see in Hainan besides the beach?
The Buddhist complex Nanshan, the tropical park Yanoda, an aquarium and amusement park in the Phoenix area, and the “Deer Turning Its Head” viewing platform over Sanya.
How do I get around the island?
Between cities by high-speed train, within Sanya by taxi, DiDi and public transport. More in the article transport in Hainan and in the breakdown taxis and trains in China.
Hotels in Hainan
The site collects hotels in Sanya across all three resort districts — from budget options at Dadonghai to premium resorts in Yalong Bay. See hotels in Sanya →
Hotels by bay: Sanya hotels · Dadonghai · Yalong Bay · Haitang Bay · Sanya Bay.
Sanya’s climate in detail — weather in Sanya by month.
Hainan hotels: all the island’s resorts · Sanya · Haikou.
Current as of October 2026. Entry conditions, prices and schedules change; check official sources before the trip.
