Dongshan Golf Club

Sitting off the south of Mainland China lays Hainan Island, China's smallest province and most famous tropical getaway.

While Hainan was historically known as a place of exile for Chinese officials due to its remote location and primitive environment, it is now home to 8.1 million people and is celebrated for its attractive beaches, ritzy hotels and fresh seafood.

The weather is also perfect for the 'fly and flop' traveller as the island's average temperature is 23.8 degrees all year round, reaching up to 25-29 degrees in July and August.

108-metre Buddhist statue of Guanyin

Every year over 20 million tourists flock to the island, which was named a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 1988, landing in either Hainan's metropolitan capital Haikou or its glistening beach and resort town, Sanya.

Haikou is located in the north and is the political, commercial and transportation centre of Hainan. Despite having a population of over 1.6 million, the city is free of pollution and very laid-back, unlike the hustle and bustle of the mainland. Cars drive slowly, locals wear pyjamas during the day and palm trees lining the boulevards sway gently under the cloudless skies.

Located in the south is Sanya, renowned for its golden beaches, professionally designed golf courses and unlimited selection of four-to-five-star resorts and hotels. The city has also hosted the Miss World beauty pageant three times and is home to one of the tallest statues in the world, a 108-metre Buddhist statue of Guanyin.

Dadonghai

About three kilometres southeast of downtown Sanya lays the crescent-shaped beach of Dadonghai, the best beach for diving, snorkelling and sunbathing. It is truly an oasis for beach-lovers, with clear blue waters, white sand and a range of activities on offer from speed boating to taking a luxury yacht cruise to underwater photography.

Even when the sun's gone down, Sanya still glows with activity, its nightlife buzzing underneath the cooler temperature and breeze. Along Sanya He West Road, there is an abundance of nightclubs, bars, karaoke clubs and cafes, with many beachside hotels hosting barbecues for guests and other visitors.

HNA Beach & Spa Resort in Haikou

And if you want to settle your hunger and sample some of Hainan's freshest seafood, head to Asian Dragon Bay (also known as Yalong Bay) to find a selection of shrimps, crabs, fresh fish, trumpet shells, abalone, sea cucumbers and even sea urchins.