Sanya, China's tropical paradise at the southern tip of Hainan Island, is riding a wave of post-pandemic revival. Ukrainian vlogger Veronika Gerasimchuk, a six-year China resident, captures the city's renewed energy in her latest travel series, spotlighting azure beaches, seafood feasts, and the world's largest duty-free shopping complex.
'Sanya feels alive again,' says Gerasimchuk, who filmed bustling markets and eager shoppers at the sprawling Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex. Despite being outside peak season, queues formed early as visitors from across China and abroad capitalized on tax-free luxury deals – a testament to rebounding consumer confidence amid national economic recovery efforts.
The vlogger’s third visit highlights Sanya's unique fusion: 11 km of golden coastline meeting cutting-edge retail infrastructure. 'You get sunset yoga sessions by the beach and Cartier boutiques minutes away,' she observes, noting how the city balances natural charm with modern appeal.
With China's optimized pandemic policies fueling domestic tourism growth, Sanya saw a 28% year-on-year increase in visitor spending last quarter, per local data. The duty-free sector alone generated $2.3 billion in 2023's first half – a bright spot for Hainan's ambition to become a global shopping destination by 2025.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
