"Hainan will offer a 30-day visa-free period for visitors from 59 countries starting May 1, 2018. The policy is expected to dramatically increase the number of international tourists travelling to Hainan, and help it eventually become 'Asia’s Hawaii'. Australia is one of 59 countries listed. Enjoy :)
Previous similar post suggests this is a deal, but mods please feel free to move to forums if required.
Yeah, I hate that I have to buy bottles of water everywhere. And some small supermarkets charge you twice the amount on the labels, they think I'm blind ?
I buy bottled water every destination outside Australia, its a small price to pay for not falling sick and ruining your holiday.
Toilet paper isn't free in all(?) countries.
My point was majority of places in Australia has complimentary toilet paper. In China everyone carries toilet paper or buys it before they enter. Its built into their DNA.
mmmmm, perhaps you need to travel more.
In many countries, with populations that lack chinese-DNA, one needs to carry toilet paper if one has a personal preference for it.
Public Toilets is an interesting issue too….
During my trip to Beijing in 2016 and to Delhi in 2017 it was great to see so many public toilets (but sure without free paper)…. this contrasts badly with LA for example (public urination city [ppl of all DNA-types fyi])… try and find a public toilet there (with or w/o paper)… good luck.
Thanks TA, valuable info!
Gf is from Sanya and I’ve been over there a few times. Nothing special there.
Basically internal Chinese holiday destination with a few bogan Russians on cheap holiday packages. Heard a story about how the tour guides need to remind them to stop stealing towels in room etc.
The place is booming economically and population has exploded with northern Chinese moving there to escape snow.
Major military ramp up with big naval bases being constructed for South China Sea domination
Just be prepared for a one hour wait at the Visa office. Only 6 other people in line and it took a good hour. Not many staff, and a lot of other tourists aren't prepared (no photo, no CNY, need hotel phone number for them to ring.)
This is a good news, I also welcome the cheap flights to there, like the last deal :D
Would go back to Sanya for a long weekend in a heartbeat for $200.
Airline was great, Haikou/Sanya train comfortable and fast, resort good value, taxis cheap and bar setup on the beach is nice. Definitely touristy but more chilled than the usual SEA destinations with no Aussie bogans (yet). Does have Russian bogans with their mistresses and old Chinese flash mobs which are fun to watch.
Dolphin Sports Bar is where expats go if your Russian/Chinese is rusty or non-existent.
I had a great week in Sanya just relaxing by the beach, hotel pools etc. Much needed rest!
Can either of you two recommend a hotel/resort for about 100AUD/night?
Expedia is useless…. 1 review per hotel.
Resort Intime, use trip.com
Eh, I'll stick with our own slightly less-overtly corrupt government for now.
Why buy a flight to China when I can just buy a Myki ticket to Box Hill.
Why even buy a MyKi ticket to Box Hill, just sit at home and eat Chinese takeawy? Its about life experience, widening your cultural horizons, meeting new people and making new friends etc.
I'll recommend Suzhou and Hangzhou for a visit.
They are both ancient cities with decent temples and gardens and Suzhou is my favourite city in China. Yes I'm a Chinese.
Hainan is like kind of typical resort style and maybe you won't feel much different from some western style resorts.
not only Hainan Chicken but also Yumcha which is a lot cheaper than in Aus
2ppl shared Yumcha was ~130RMB, then opening discount 30% off (can't believe it!) and a free 30RMB voucher = 61RMB, is equivalent to 13AUD!!!
I had hotpot for one in Chengdu for 130 RMB not a shared table or pot.
it really depends on where you go and what you have.
HaiDiLao Hotpot would be decent to go to with friends and family, costs 100RMB/p usually (2 yrs ago)
don't forget in China vegetables are way more cheap than meats :D
I didnt have any vegetables at all. And I went to the one opposite the Wuhou shrine. They had opera peformance while I had the hotpot.
Airfare+accommodation cost at least $500 so the total isn't cheap,you can get good feed for that price anywhere in Sydney,and don't have to waste time to go elsewhere
I've been to China twice in the last six months, for a total of six weeks there, and would go again at the drop of a hat, er Hainan Airlines 214 deal!
Truly deserving of the label "shit hole". Would not go back even if there was a $20 flight sale next time.
Do you need to be Aussie citizen for this?
Yeah.. I’m waiting for that deal too.
Depends if you are a citizen of one of the 59 countries as stated in first paragraph. Too obvious?
Please explain.
That's true.