Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Sanya, November 8 (Xinhua) — Sanya, in southern China's Hainan Province, is attracting a growing number of Russians not only with its tropical landscapes but also with new opportunities – people can improve their health or start their own business in the city.
What's the secret to his incredible popularity? Find the answers in this Xinhua News Agency report.
SPA PARADISE
According to data, in the first half of 2025, the tourist flow from Russia to Sanya increased by 266.2% year-on-year, accounting for more than 40% of the total number of incoming tourists.
Especially after the Chinese authorities introduced a one-year trial visa-free regime for Russian citizens holding regular passports in September of this year, Russians can be seen everywhere in Sanya—on the beaches, in the tourist attractions, and in the business districts.
The Petrov family flew to Sanya for 15 days to visit the beaches, tropical forests, and experience traditional Chinese medicine. After passing through passport control for visa-free tourists, they saw tourist signs in English and Russian.
"This is our third visit to Sanya, and each time we notice new amenities. This time, the airport helped us book a taxi and recommended family-friendly attractions," said a Russian tourist.
To improve the quality of service for Russian tourists, Sanya service staff have recently been intensively attending Russian language courses, quickly mastering common expressions on topics such as hotel check-in and tourist attraction recommendations. A Russian-language service has also been launched on the city's hotline. In areas with the largest concentrations of Russian tourists, 76 bus stop signs have been updated with Russian-language text.
"Sanya is a wonderful city!" remarked Ekaterina, a tourist from Moscow, adding that while shopping for fruit, the vendors spoke to her in Russian, and the tourist area staff helped her plan the optimal walking route.
Furthermore, most star hotels and major tourist areas have installed ATMs accepting foreign bank cards. As of September 2025, Sanya had 479 ATMs accepting cash withdrawals from foreign cards, including Russian ones. At the same time, the city is actively promoting foreign versions of Alipay and WeChat Pay, making mobile payments easier for Russian visitors.
EASTERN WISDOM OF HEALTH
Medical tourism, which focuses on health and therapy using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is gaining popularity among a growing number of Russian tourists.
Russian architect Konstantin is a big fan of TCM. He learned about the Sanya TCM Hospital and brought his parents there to experience acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage.
"TCM works wonders! The doctors' methods, combined with the warm climate, are highly effective in treating pain in the shoulders, neck, and lower back," he said.
With the growing popularity of TCM tours, the quality of medical services in Sanya is constantly improving.
"We've established an international department and partnered with a number of international insurance companies to implement direct insurance payments," noted Yuan Ailin, Deputy Director of the Sanya TCM Hospital, adding that TCM rehabilitation is very popular among Russian tourists, many of whom are happy to spend half a month on a "TCM tour."
HAINAN'S OPENING-UP DIVIDENDS
The city's appeal extends beyond tourism. Its favorable business climate and excellent living conditions have allowed some Russians to open businesses here.
"When I first applied for a business license, I was concerned about the complexity of the process. I didn't expect the staff to help me translate and organize the materials," shared Andrey, a Russian who opened a Russian restaurant in Sanya six months ago.
The man was surprised by how quickly and easily the entire process, from registration to licensing, went. He said scheduling an annual restaurant inspection is a simple phone call, and if he has any policy questions, the hotline operator always provides clear answers.
On December 18, 2025, the Hainan Free Trade Port (HFTP) construction program will officially launch the island-wide independent customs operation regime.
The Sanya City Commerce Bureau official reported that local authorities have currently identified 32 policy coordination tasks that must be implemented before the independent customs operation regime is launched. These tasks cover key areas such as taxation, customs clearance, and finance.
According to him, local authorities are accelerating the establishment of pilot opening-up centers in key areas such as education, medical care, and value-added telecommunications, and continue to promote the development of cross-border trade in services.
"In this city, I experienced the openness and inclusiveness of the Hainan Free Trade Port. This place has become a second home for me," he said. -0-
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