[Photo by Huang Yiming/China Daily]

3. Take a cruise liner to the Xisha Islands:

After you take in some sunshine on China's top beaches in Sanya, the hottest tourist city on the southern coast of the Hainan Island, don't miss the chance to hop on the Coconut Princess cruise liner and visit the shoals and coral reefs of the Xisha Islands.

The Coconut Princess is the only cruise liner available for tourists to visit the Xisha Islands. Besides entertainment activities such as onboard performances, diving and dining, the cruise liner will take you to the islands of Yinyu, Fuquan and Yagong, and visit fishing villages during the three-night trip.

The Coconut Princess used to depart from Haikou, but the route was changed in September and it now departs from Sanya. The new route is quicker and it gives tourists more time to explore the Xisha Islands.