Sanya showcases tourism, free trade to global media

International media representatives and social media influencers from 19 countries and regions gathered in Sanya, a tropical coastal city in China's Hainan Province, for a six-day exploration of its natural beauty, cultural heritage, tourism industry and rapidly developing economy.

The international communication programme, titled "Go China In Sanya", was held from 1 November to 6 as part of the broader "Why China: Discovering Sanya" initiative. The event brought together overseas media professionals and digital content creators to experience the city's distinctive attractions and gain a deeper understanding of China's cultural diversity and development.

The event was guided by the Publicity Department of the CPC Sanya Municipal Committee, organised by the Sanya Tourism Development Bureau, supported by the Sanya Municipal Cyberspace Administration and implemented by the Hainan branch of China News Service International Communication Group.

The programme officially commenced on 2 November at the picturesque Luhuitou Scenic Area, overlooking Sanya's coastline. During the opening ceremony, Li Yingting, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Sanya Municipal Committee and head of its Publicity Department, welcomed the international participants and highlighted the city's growing significance as a global tourism destination.

Describing Sanya as a city where mountains, the sea and urban landscapes come together, Li said the city was embracing greater openness while developing into a modern coastal centre for tourism, business and international exchanges. Li encouraged visiting media professionals and content creators to share their experiences with international audiences through storytelling, photography and digital media, presenting Sanya's cultural richness, openness and everyday life to the wider world.

Throughout the six-day programme, international participants explored some of Sanya's most prominent destinations, experiencing a combination of tropical landscapes, traditional Chinese culture, modern infrastructure and local community life.

The exploration began with visits to Luhuitou Scenic Area, renowned for its panoramic views and romantic legend associated with the Li ethnic community. Participants also visited the Sanya International Friendly Traditional Chinese Medicine Sanatorium, where they learned about traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage and the city's expanding health and wellness tourism industry.

At Hongzhou International Yacht Marina, visitors explored Sanya's growing marine tourism sector and learned how the Hainan Free Trade Port is creating opportunities for international yacht tourism and related industries.

The journey continued with visits to Atlantis Sanya, one of the city's major luxury tourism complexes, and the cdf Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex, where participants explored the development of international retail and tourism-related consumer services.

Nature and environmental conservation were also important parts of the programme. At Wuzhizhou Island, participants explored Sanya's marine environment and learned about coral reef protection and sustainable coastal tourism.

The international visitors also explored Tianya Haijiao, one of Sanya's most celebrated scenic destinations, and Daxiaodongtian Scenic Area, which reflects the region's maritime traditions and historical connections with the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

A visit to Yazhou Ancient City offered an opportunity to discover Sanya's rich cultural heritage. Participants explored traditional architecture, historic streets, and local cultural sites while learning about Yazhou folk songs and the customs of the Li ethnic community. Traditional cultural performances highlighted efforts to preserve the region's intangible cultural heritage.

The exploration extended beyond popular tourist destinations to Sanya's local communities and everyday life. At West Island, participants discovered the traditions of a century-old fishing village and experienced the distinctive lifestyle of the island's coastal residents.

They also explored Durian Valley in the Yucai Ecological Zone, gaining insights into tropical agriculture and the integration of agricultural development with rural tourism.

Visits to Sanya's First Market, Dadonghai tourist area, Tianya Town and Sanya Joy City provided further opportunities to experience the city's vibrant food culture, modern shopping facilities and coastal lifestyle.

At Sanya Joy City, participants learned about the “Passport Friendly” initiative, which seeks to make shopping and other consumer services more convenient for international visitors.

The programme also included a visit to Hainan Lausanne Tourism University, offering insights into international cooperation in hospitality education and the development of skilled professionals for the tourism industry.

Beyond tourism and cultural exploration, the event highlighted Sanya's increasing international connectivity under the Hainan Free Trade Port framework.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, local officials said that citizens of 88 countries could benefit from visa-free entry arrangements and that individual immigration clearance could be completed in as little as 30 seconds.

Sanya has established 38 international passenger air routes connecting the city with major overseas markets, including Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Russian-speaking regions.

As of 24 October, the number of inbound and outbound passengers passing through Sanya Phoenix International Airport had exceeded one million this year, an increase of 30.3% compared with the corresponding period last year.

The international media initiative also provided an opportunity for cross-cultural communication, allowing participants from different countries and regions to explore China's development through direct engagement with its people, traditions, businesses and local communities.

For audiences in Bangladesh and other countries, the programme offered a closer look at China's efforts to connect cultural heritage, sustainable tourism and economic development while strengthening people-to-people exchanges.

The six-day exploration concluded by highlighting Sanya's ambition to become a leading international tourism destination and an important gateway for visitors seeking to discover China.