Most families in the Beijing and the cold northeastern China would travel to Sanya every year’s winter. So Sanya has a nick name"little Northeast China" which means the second hometown of Northeast Chinese people.😂
About ISLANDS & BEACHES everywhere... The more REMOTE and FARTHER AWAY from human civilization, the more pristine and beautiful they are. Island paradise are those that are inhabited by just macaques up in the trees, turtles on the beaches and fishes in the turquoise waters. With just blowing winds and calls of the seagulls for "noise pollution".
Was there in Feb 21 during the entire Chinese New Year and partial covid restrictions. Drove there from Shenzhen. Stayed at Phoenix Island Resort Hotel with full seaview. It was great. Everywhere was packed and so were the roads. Wonderful scenery driving along the coast between all the main beaches - Sanya Bay, Da Dong Hai beach, Yalong Bay and Hai Tong Bay. Had many delicious bbq and coconut chicken and free Tesla supercharging in all of Hainan.
Very nice! I think the reason you’re not seeing as many people as you thought may be because of the economy. I’ve heard from another friend farther south who was quite surprised at the normal lack of crowds that he was used to.