Phoenix Island in Sanya will soon have a 7-star hotel. Huang Yiming / China Daily

"If we were to go back, we are not really fully aware of what Hainan has to offer. We are not averse to a couple of days by the pool or beach, but we like sightseeing and culture. We are more likely to use it as a drop-off point on a cruise," says Lynne Skeith.

One of the aims of the tourism planners is to open up the inland areas to tourism to boost the local economies.

Qionghai in eastern Hainan has villages that date back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Wanning boasts tropical forests and magnificent landscapes.

Speaking late at night at Qionghai's Old House coffee shop - with its green-tiled roof an example of centuries old traditional architecture - Yang Fen, director of Qionghai Tourism, says tourism is now vital for the local economy.

Before 2012, 85 percent of the city's GDP came from real estate sales with tourism generating just 10 percent. But that model became unsustainable. Last year, up to 30 percent of the local economy was generated by tourism, he says.

"We are very keen to promote our culture to the outside world. Most of our tourists are currently from Southeast Asia, but we are keen to attract Westerners, too," he says.

There are a number of theme parks and other attractions in central Hainan.

One is the Xinglong Tropical Garden, which has been recognized by the United Nations for its environmental work, and was set up by former architect Colin Cheng Wen Thay in 1992.

Spread over 400 hectares, it has 4,000 different species of plants.