More and more tourists are traveling to the Celestial Empire to discover unique architectural monuments and to relax at Chinese sea resorts. As noted by "Voyage et Loisirs", the best beaches of the South China Sea have long attracted experienced travelers who know a thing or two about excellent vacations. The classic combination of bright sun, warm sand, and blue sea makes Vietnam an ideal place to forget all everyday problems and immerse oneself in a coastal fairy tale. A great place for surfing in Bali is the town called Kuta, which welcomes island guests with tanned Australians, noisy Italians, and local handsome men in Bob Marley-style hats, who nonchalantly lean against crooked fences.
CHINA
Americans who have visited the tropical island of Hainan compare it to their famous Hawaii. Hainan, the smallest Chinese province, is also called the "Pearl of the Orient," "Tropical Paradise," and "Land of Jade." However, jade has never been mined here. What has been mined, and now cultivated, is pearls, which are used for jewelry and cosmetics. On the island, creams based on pearls are sold, which, according to the Chinese, promote longevity. According to Chinese beliefs and traditional Chinese medicine, coconut milk prolongs life. Perhaps that is why the greatest number of Chinese centenarians live on Hainan. Or perhaps because of its ideal ecological conditions. The Chinese proudly claim that Hainan is the only place in the world that meets international environmental standards ISO 14000. More precisely, the Nanshan international tourism zone meets these standards and is also recognized as a feng shui benchmark—a very popular philosophy nowadays dedicated to arranging living spaces and the soul.
In another interesting place, the theme park "End of the World," a grand Wedding Festival takes place. Several hundred couples come from many countries to celebrate the most important event of their lives together on this fairy-tale island. No less interesting is another theme park, "Marvels of Sea and Mountains," in the town of Sanya—the main resort center of the island and, incidentally, the southernmost Chinese city. In recent years, our tourists have been actively flying here for excellent vacations and medical treatment. Many centuries ago, Hainan served as a place of exile for disgraced officials. Chinese emperors sent bribe-takers and embezzlers to the "end of the world." Exile to Hainan was tantamount to death. Now the miracle island, or rather its southern part, is a luxury resort that has everything even for the most demanding tourists. The purest South China Sea with its rich underwater world and excellent diving opportunities. The water off the coast of Hainan is extraordinarily clear—visibility reaches 25 meters! And divers from many countries have appreciated this.
Among vacationers, the most popular bays are Yalong Bay and Dadonghai. On their shores stand comfortable hotels, the Butterfly Garden, and the Museum of Tropical Seashells. Amazing virgin nature, a sea of fruits and vegetables all year round. Nearby are folklore villages of the local Li and Miao minorities.
And, of course, the miraculous mineral springs, thanks to which local residents calmly live to 80-90 years. The temperature of the healing water in the Xinglong Valley is 45-65 degrees Celsius. The spring waters help in the treatment of sciatica, rheumatism, female diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, nervous system, respiratory organs, and skin. Just a 45-minute drive from Sanya is the radon spring Chu Jiang ("Pearl River"), belonging to one of the best hotels on the island, the "Pearl River Garden." For 128 yuan ($15), anyone can be transported by special transport from the hotel to the resort, where they receive a foot massage and unlimited use of therapeutic baths filled with mineral water of various temperatures. After the healing waters, you feel like a baby with velvety skin and a charge of tremendous optimism.
This resort opened only in May last year and immediately became very popular, which is quite understandable - Chinese doctors, with the help of acupuncture, thermal waters, massage, and medicinal herbs, literally work miracles, putting very sick people back on their feet.
TIPS You can taste the four most famous local dishes: Wenchang chicken with herb sauce, stewed black mountain goat from Dongshan, thin-skinned Jiaji duck, and Hala crab prepared in garlic sauce - in almost any restaurant, bar, or hotel for dinner or lunch. There are already more than three hundred hotels on Hainan, and almost all year round they are ready to receive guests. Among the five-star hotels: "Horizon," "Gloria," "Mountain, Sea, Sky," where members of the Chinese government like to stay. PRICES Cost of a 12-day trip from $1,008. What is included: accommodation in a 3* to 5* hotel with breakfast, flight, transfer.
VIETNAM
Nha Trang - this small town has become surprisingly prettier and flourished over the past 20 years. The reason for such a wonderful change is the magnificent beaches, mild climate and crystal clear water, of course, excellent service and moderate prices, which contribute to the development of tourism. Several years ago, UNESCO declared Nha Trang Bay a protected natural monument, which helped preserve its unique ecology. No amount of persuasion will force captains of even the smallest boats to approach the shore of a romantic island closer than 150 meters - violations are severely punished, up to confiscation of the vessel. But everyone can swim in the purest turquoise waves of the South China Sea.
Along the entire city, excellent beaches of Nha Trang stretch in a wide strip framed by palm trees. Here, on the first line, almost at the very edge of the sea, are prestigious hotels, restaurants, and cafes.
It's best to come to the beach either early in the morning when the sun is just rising from behind the distant islands, or at sunset - during these hours it's not as hot, and the sea is usually calm. You can also hire a boat (about $8-10) and head to the nearest islands, but keep in mind that about 100 meters before the island you'll have to get off the boat and swim to shore or use oars.
Nha Trang is also famous for its ancient monuments - the Po Nagar towers - echoes of the great culture and religion of the Cham people. The towers are located right on the waterfront, and from the top of the hill in the morning you can watch the cheerful bustle of a fairly large picturesque fishing fleet. But the most interesting thing happens early in the morning, when fishermen after a night of fishing moor with their catch on a small sandbank that serves as a fish market. Numerous female vendors race to swim to the arriving boats, shouting out the price at the top of their lungs. Quarrels and small brawls in a market style break out near the boats.
An hour's flight on a small plane takes you to one of the most interesting cities in Vietnam - Hoi An. Almost all souvenirs are made here, which makes Hoi An the 'city of masters'. The most interesting part is the old town, where the past of Indochina remains almost untouched. Beautiful old streets are lined with houses and cafes. Hoi An is a mecca for lovers of custom clothing. There are countless tailor shops, and literally within two to three hours seamstresses will sew you a dress for which you will pay from $50. A men's suit made of English wool will cost more - $100-200. For fittings, the needle and pattern workers will come to your hotel, the whole process takes a couple of days. They sew beautifully. It's pleasant to wander around the old town, occasionally stepping into cool pagodas. Hoi An can perhaps be called the most Vietnamese city - bright colors of Southeast Asia, national flavor, excellent cuisine.
A brief word about the cuisine is in order. Be sure to try the traditional Vietnamese soup Pho. It's best to do this at the market. Attention and unforgettable experiences guaranteed - amid the approving shouts of locals, a hundred-year-old grandmother in a conical hat with a huge hand-rolled cigar will smile and splash some fiery hot brew of greens and shrimp into your bowl. Don't be scared - eat without fear. There's only one danger - you might become a fan of Pho, and at home you'll happily cook this culinary masterpiece. I won't share the recipe. So go to Hoi An, let them tell you all about it there! Why Hoi An? Believe me, they make the most delicious Pho here. Also the tastiest fish rolls and crab pies... This is the most beautiful city in central Vietnam.
The sharp-pointed islets called Ha Long, peeking out from the sea surface, are none other than the feathers and scales of a dragon. Any local will confirm this. That's why the bay was named 'Ha Long' - 'descending dragon'. A cult place. Protected by a whole host of international organizations (the Vietnamese love to protect their nature and approach it with all Asian strictness and scrupulousness). For the people of northern Vietnam, it's the same as Sochi in the Soviet Union.
Seeing Ha Long is undoubtedly worth it. Emerald-turquoise waters, karst needle-like islets, pleasant breeze. Without Ha Long, Vietnam is not Vietnam. A typical boat trip takes at least 5-6 hours and costs from $10. As a rule, the boat accommodates 20 passengers, but for $40-60 the captain will readily agree to be your personal marine guide through this unique marine reserve with fascinating nature. The best thing is to take a schooner and sail away for a couple of days into the 'dragon's feathers'. To greet the sunrise and bid farewell to the sunset, watching how the color of the water changes with the sun from light green to blood red... To dive into the cool freshness of the water, hoping to see the master of these waters somewhere in the depths. Or to watch the moon, like a magical glowing ball, bouncing on the peaks of the hills, leaving a trembling silvery trail behind...
According to a good tradition, be sure to throw a coin into the water - the dragon will be pleased, and perhaps next time it will let itself be seen in the ghostly light of the turquoise water.
TIPS The popular foreign currency is the US dollar, it is accepted everywhere. Payment can also be made with major credit cards. Vietnam is a very convenient country in terms of currency exchange. The fact is that it is not necessary to do so at all. Anywhere - in cafes, on the street, in national parks - they will accept dollars and give change in dong.
Vietnam is a very 'cheap country' even for a modest wallet. Amazing, exotic souvenirs cost literally pennies. And there are many joint ventures producing goods for export. For example, branches of clothing factories like Mike and Adidas sell their products at the local market three to four times cheaper than at home. PRICES The cost of a 13-day trip is from $1,295. What's included: accommodation in a 5* hotel, flight, insurance, transfer, excursions.
INDONESIA
Kuta is the noisiest resort in Bali. Music here doesn't stop until morning; in local bars and discos, tourists celebrate their well-deserved or sudden vacation all night long. Twice a week, the Peanuts Crawl night movement is organized for party lovers, where crowds of cheerful young people move from bar to bar, meet everyone and thoroughly enjoy life.
Surfing appeared in Indonesia in the 60s of the last century, brought here by hot Australian guys. They had good reasons - because according to a survey conducted by the Australian surfing magazine Tracks, Indonesia is recognized as the best place for surfing in the world. You can 'shred' on the waves on the islands of Java, Sumatra, Sumbawa, Lombok. But only on Bali and only in Kuta does the sport combine with partying and an active nightlife.
In Kuta, everything is imbued with the spirit of surfing. During the day - the sport itself, in the evening - watching surfer videos at the All Serf Stars and Warung 96 bars, and engaging discussions over a glass of beer about how to replicate such tricks oneself.
Dozens of small and large establishments sell bright surfer clothing, including from manufacturers unheard of here. The cost of items ranges from $10 to $30, and their quality pleases for many years. Another side of the shopping sport is revealed during walks along an endless row of souvenir stalls, where you need to bargain cheerfully but firmly.
The waves in Kuta are stable, not too huge and not too small. The bottom is sandy, so the local variety of waves is called «break weaves», because they break and drive foam to the shore. In the water, there are a huge number of people eager to join the sport, and under unfortunate circumstances, you can easily crash into a fellow enthusiast of exoticism.
At Kutahalfway Beach, there is a wide selection of equipment for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. For a moderate fee, you can hire an instructor - a nimble local resident or an Australian who has escaped the vanity of vanities and found peace of mind on the island. In two weeks, it is quite possible to master the basics of this sport. True, beginners will first have to endure the mockery of old-timers while training on a large surf (longboard) for «dummies». Local instructors are more lenient towards girls. After a week of daily training on a longboard, you can move on to a «human» surf. An alternative option is a bodyboard, which requires less effort than surfing, but the technology of gliding along waves remains the same.
For more advanced surfers who want to catch the Tsar wave, the best place is in the south of Bali - the village of Uluwatu. Here, steep cliffs hang over the water, and the ocean is full of colorful corals. The waves at Uluwatu are not without reason called tubes - they curl into tubes, presenting the amazed surfer with a breathtaking spectacle of oceanic fish, algae, and crabs. The wave, like a wall, moves next to you, and when you fly out of it, it slams shut behind you with a noise. But Bali is worth visiting not only for the excellent waves and fun parties. The pearl of the island is its unique nature. Breathtaking mountain landscapes, rice terraces, turquoise bays, lush jungles full of mysterious and mystical sounds - all this leaves magical memories that warm the soul at any time of the year.
TIPS It is easy to find a hotel in Kuta, the prices are magical - for $10 a day you can rent a room or half a bungalow. For the same $10 you can eat for the rest of your life. The dishes are mostly delicacies in the eyes of a harsh northern resident. Huge juicy shrimp, ruddy crayfish, tender octopuses, bright colorful sushi.
The best way to recover after sports is at local SPA salons. The Balinese are true masters of SPA massage. They have been practicing it for centuries, using sea components, herbs, fruit, and natural aromas. It is not just a body massage, but a whole philosophy that ennobles the soul. Aromatherapy, thalassotherapy, seaweed wraps, fragrant rose petal baths - these are just a small part of the types of massage that can be offered to a traveler tired from vacation in Bali. A full massage session will cost $20. On the beach, you can bargain with a folk craftsman for just $5. PRICES The cost of a trip for 8-10 days is $1.299. What is included: accommodation in a 3*-5* hotel, flight, transfer, insurance, excursions, meals - all inclusive.
Tatyana BABAKINA,
Artyom YAKOVLEV, Fedor YURIN.