Hainan is a small province of China made up of more than 200 islands dotting the South China Sea. Although historically it has been an agricultural region, it has emerged as a tourist destination and I am not surprised, seeing its tropical beaches and lush forests. Furthermore, the Chinese government has considered the region as “special economic zone“. And the wealthiest citizens of a country are taking advantage of it: Russia.
Hainan is the new Crimea Marbella. Although since last year the list of visitors to Hainan does not allow a breakdown by country, the New York Times collects that the number of Russian visitors has multiplied by eleven between 2023 and 2024. Thus, Russians are already the largest foreign nationality. In the peak winter season alone, Hainan Island, the largest in the province, receives eight or more daily flights from cities throughout Russia. The situation clashes head-on with the withdrawal of Russian tourism in Europe. What a change of scenery.
Why Hainan? Beyond its paradisiacal places that we mentioned in the intro, that right now they are enjoying maximum temperatures of 24 degrees or that it is a cheap destination, Hainan enjoys special policies such as free trade and more flexibility in general for government affairs.
Thus, the Chinese government has favored foreign investment and has raised its hand with visas (from 2024 in Hainan and throughout the country since November). Your exemption policy It allows citizens of 59 countries to enter for a tourist getaway of up to 30 days. Among them, Russia of course.
like at home. Leaving aside that restrained and hospitable Chinese personality, the island’s gear is geared toward pleasing tourists. However, it is one of the great bets to revitalize the region. And it shows: translated letters and signs, guides who speak the language, being able to find products of Russian gastronomy and even the loudspeakers on the beach, controlled by the local government, playing Russian hits.
The New York Times collects that even the New Year’s celebrations on the beach came to fruition before vigilant but relaxed authorities, beyond warning that fireworks could not be set off. They have even opened a copy of the famous Moscow restaurant chain Chaihona No. 1, which in China has its counterpart at Chaihona No. 9.
No need to lower your voice. Talking about Taiwan or Hong Kong may be thorny there, but Russian tourists can calmly express themselves in their language without generating uncomfortable sidelong glances. Foreign geopolitics does not cause discomfort in Hainan, something that does happen in Europe.
Hello Hainan, goodbye Europe. It is inevitable to establish a certain parallel with the theory of communicating vessels as long as and although with ups and downs, since 2019 it has shown a downward trend in Europe, reaching 90% less in 2022, according to Schengen Visa Info details. Thus, if in 2019 four million Russians visited the old continent, in 2024 the figure dropped to 1.4 million.
Leaving aside the COVID-19 period that affected the entire world, the Russians have their own case, with the war with Ukraine and the consequent tightening when it comes to obtaining visas as the main reasons. Although the sanctions program against Russia applies throughout the continent, there are countries that are more lax than others. Without going any further, Italy, France, Spain and Greece, the favorite destinations of Russian citizens, are among them.
As details the Russian Travel Digestdespite a timid recovery in 2025, Russian citizens travel to Europe 40 to 50 times less. New destinations have been sought both within the old continent (Türkiye or Belgrade), but also outside
Cover | Yubin Zhou
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings