Most Chinese are introduced to the Xisha Islands by reading the article The Fertile Xisha Islands in elementary school.
The article reads: “The Xisha Islands boast picturesque scenery and abundant products. It is a lovely place.” However, the islands, located at the southernmost tip of China, are not yet open to the public, which makes them mysterious to many. An adage even stresses that it’s easier to go abroad than to visit Xisha. The Hainan provincial tourism department holds jurisdiction over the islands’ tourism.
In November 2012, Luo Baoming, secretary of the Hainan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, revealed that preparatory work for Xisha Islands tourism was complete and that they would soon open to tourists. He hinted that in the future, the Xisha Islands would become a unique tourist product of Hainan. Already, the Haikou-Sanya-North Xisha tour route has been set.
The Xisha Islands are located 330 kilometers southeast of Hainan Island. A total of 22 islets and sandbars reach above water surface. The climate of the islands is characterized by abundant precipitation and temperatures that change little throughout the year. The favorable natural conditions create unparalleled scenery.
The constantly changing color of the water around the Xisha Islands leaves visitors spellbound. Approaching Yongxing Island, the largest of the group, the dark-blue seawater gradually turns emerald as it becomes shallower. Due to variations in depths and reef formations, the water color ranges from deep blue to green to apricot, and everything else in between. The Xisha Islands also feature a wealth of tropical plants. The lush greenery throughout the year makes the islands a paradise for birds.
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Presently, more than 60,000 birds from about 40 species call the islands home. Li Baotian, a researcher with the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was greatly impressed by the booby bird, a seabird found on Xisha. In the 1970s, Li and his colleagues first visited the islands for scientific research purposes, and in the following years, he revisited the place many times. Li noted that one island, Dongdao, has particularly lush trees. In almost every tree are fluffy-feathered booby birds. “We approached them and reached out to touch them, and they never showed signs of being frightened,” he adds.
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Although the official plan for Xisha tourism hasn’t yet been implemented, some tourists have already set foot on the islands. Li explained that he visited the Xisha Islands in 2010, not as a scientific observer this time, but a “tourism consultant.” “It was impossible in the past,” he asserts. “The trip was organized by some media outlets and enterprises, purely for tourism.”
In recent years, a handful of more adventurous tourists have managed to land on the islands. They get approved to visit the islands for research or interviews, and reach them in supply ships.
Scuba diving and fishing are popular among most tourists visiting Xisha. The water is very clean, with visibility reaching as deep as 40 meters down. Vast coral reefs make the islands perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. In some areas, bustling underwater scenery can even be seen from the shore.
Since news about developing tourism on Xisha Islands began to spread in late 2011, many tourists and travel agencies have shown excitement. “We have been keeping an eye on Xisha tourism, and making preparations for related travel products,” says Wang Li, director of the administrative office of the Chengdu Youth Travel Service. “Once Xisha tourism is launched, it will definitely attract adventurous tourists. We are optimistic about the islands’ prospects.” Domestic Tourism Center of Guangdong International Travel Service believes that Xisha tourism will bring more fresh elements to Hainan tourism, and more exciting experiences for tourists.
It was reported that a cruise ship called the Scent of Princess Coconut would add Xisha to its route. A deluxe passenger and cargo ferry, the ship sails at a speed of 20 nautical miles per hour. The cruise liner is equipped with viewing decks, a music bar, a dance hall, and video arcades. Considering the length of a round trip, the number of voyages will be limited. In light of the estimated voyage numbers and the ship’s capacity, the number of tourists visiting Xisha will still be relatively small. Also, in the first stage of tourism development, visitors may only be allowed to disembark during daytime, and have to sleep on board due to environmental concerns.
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Li Guoqiang, deputy director of the Research Center for Chinese Borderland History and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, was asked by related government agencies to offer advice on Xisha tourism development. Due to Xisha’s extremely fragile ecosystem, he suggested the following: People should not stay on islands overnight. Human activities such as eating and sleeping should be done on cruise ships. Garbage should be removed from the islands by ships and the islands should be kept in their natural state to attract tourists.
“We should carefully map out a plan for Xisha tourism, and make environmental protection the priority,” adds Li Guoqiang. What people love about the Xisha Islands is the natural look and flavor.
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