I went to Hainan in New Year (1 Jan 09) with my mother & relatives to visit my father & brother. They involved themselves in a Hainan Government's Project "Flower World"(I don't know the exact name)

"Flower World" is a new tourist spot in HAIKOU. It starts in 16 Jan 09. This place near to HAIKOU Airport. People from different provinces in China group in this place, show the best of their plants, flowers, bonsai and different type of buildings & decorations.

We took AirAsia to HAIKOU (RM700/person:thru & for). We stayed in HAIKOU for the first 2 days then we rent a MPV (for 9 persons) with driver cum tour guide & travelled to SANYA for 3 days 2 nights, then back to HAIKOU & stayed for a day.

The weather was cold in HAIKOU during Jan but it was hot in SANYA (similar to Malaysia). Our hotel's rate range from RMB60-130/night in HAIKOU; RMB450-500/night in SANYA. (P/S: The Hotel's rate will change from time to time. You will be able to get some discount if you know someone local.) For sure, SANYA's expenses is higher than HAIKOU as it's a major tourist spot in HAINAN.

I did enjoy the trip. We looked for coffee in SANYA but not easy. We played fire cracker in HAIKOU as it's very CHEAP. We visited "NanHai Guan Yin" (have to prepare your own joystick when you are on the way), Monkey Island with Cable Car, YaLong Bay (nice relaxing place, can think of staying there for few days), BoAo, WuZhiZhou Island, RenYao Show(Thailand show) & etc.

Every places in SANYA costs money, the shuttle bus, the sitting area at the beach, the toilets and etc. I'm fine with the toilets as they have doors.

As a Malaysian, I preferred HAIKOU as the wether is cooler. We are familiar with the scenes in SANYA. We have seen them in Malaysia. I enjoyed the breakfast in HUA QIAO Hotel in HAIKOU city. The traffic in HAIKOU is terrible. We rided on the "du du" to the market, ate sweet potatoes, fruits, corns & ect.

I hope you will enjoy your trip :)