june-2011

HOT SPOT
Nanshan also boasts temples, gardens,
pavilions and restaurants. A highlight is
the Brahma Bell Garden, with 42 ancient
bells from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Nancy, our guide, tells us the melody of
a ringing Brahman bell will help people
to alleviate affl ictions and defi lement,
broaden wisdom and enhance the state of
bodhi (enlightenment).
On a less spiritual note, a boat ride
through a lively fi shing village leads to
Nanwan Monkey Island, a 10.2 square
kilometre sanctuary for 1,500 macaque
monkeys. This haven is also home to one
of the world’s most endangered species —
the Hainan crested gibbon. “Remember
three things,” you are told at the gates.
“Do not look into a monkey’s eyes, do not
feed them and do not open your bag.”
Then they add: “If they jump on you,
open your hands to show them you have
nothing.” The worst off enders are sent to
‘monkey jail’.
After the beaches, mountain scenery,
Sanya’s street life, Buddhist and Li
experiences and a string of delicious
meals, it comes down to this: the cut-outs
of two monkeys wearing police hats and
belts guarding one ‘inmate’, nicknamed
‘teenage criminal’. He is coming to the end
of his four-week sentence for stealing a
mobile phone.
There are plans to build the
world’s largest duty free shop, a third
international airport, a 30km bridge
linking Hainan to mainland China, a
racetrack and a giant wet-and-wild theme
park. No wonder the Hawaiian shirt and
shorts outfi ts popular with local tourists
appear as play clothes for what is fast
becoming China’s playground.
036
The imposing Goddess
of Mercy statue seems
to rise above the waves;
BOTTOM: Visit the
juvenile monkey jail
“Do not look into a monkey’s eyes, do not
feed them and do not open your bag. If they
jump on you, show them you have nothing”
FROM ONLY S$128
Jetstar Asia fl ies direct from Singapore to
Haikou four times weekly.
Book online at
TAKE ME THERE
BINGLANGGU ETHNIC
GROUP VILLAGE
Ganzaling Natural Reserve,
Baoting Autonomous
County of the Li and
Miao Minority,
tel: + 86 (898) 8388 2608
TIP: Hire a guide.
NANSHAN BUDDHISM
CULTURAL ZONE
Yacheng Town, Sanya,
tel: + 86 (898) 8883 7985
TIP: Travel across the
bridge to Kwan-yin and
pay to go up to the level
of her feet.
YANODA RAINFOREST
Sanado, Baoting County,
tel: + 86 (898) 8388 3333
NANWAN MONKEY
ISLAND
Nanwan town, Lingshui
County,
tel: + 86 (898) 8336 1465
TO STAY
THE HORIZON RESORT
& SPA
Yalong Bay, National
Resort District,
tel: +86 (898) 8856 7888,
horizonsanya.com
MANGROVE TREE
RESORT
Yalong Bay, National
Resort District,
tel: +86 (898) 8855 8888,
mangrovetreeresort.com
NARADA RESORT & SPA
Sanya Bay West, Sanya,
tel: 1800 230 4134
(within China)
PHOTO (LEFT): GEMMA DEAVIN