An inside look at Hainan, 'the Hawaii of China,' where Jack Ma was reportedly spotted golfing at a 5-star resort in recent weeks

Katie WarrenFeb 15, 2021, 14:53 IST

The Sun Valley Golf Resort in Hainan.Thomas Breazeale

Jack Ma was seen playing golf at a 5-star golf resort in Hainan, China, in recent weeks, per Bloomberg.
The island province of Hainan is known as "the Hawaii of China," thanks to its tropical climate, high-end beach resorts, and golf courses.
Surfing, luxury shopping, and yachting are popular activities in Sanya, Hainan's biggest tourist city.

For three months, Chinese billionaire Jack Ma has been keeping out of the public eye as China has cracked down on his businesses.

His sole public appearance was a 50-second video appearance at the end of January, during which he made brief remarks to rural teachers from across China.

But according to a Bloomberg report, the Alibaba and Ant Group founder was spotted playing golf at the Sun Valley Golf Resort in Hainan, China, in recent weeks. The upscale resort includes a 27-hole golf course, a clubhouse, and a restaurant.

Such clubs aren't hard to find in Hainan, the island province in southern China that's known as "the Hawaii of China" thanks to its tropical climate, luxurious beach resorts, and golf courses.

Here's what it's like to vacation in Hainan.

Hainan is China's smallest and southernmost province, made up of more than 200 islands.

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Hainan has been nicknamed the "Hawaii of China" because of its tropical climate, sandy beaches, and upscale hotels and golf clubs.

A view of the city of Sanya in Hainan, China. Getty Images/Cheunghyo

Jack Ma, the billionaire Chinese businessman who's been out of the public eye for three months, has reportedly been spending some time playing golf at one of Hainan's luxurious resorts.

Jack Ma. Wang HE/Getty Images

Jack Ma, the billionaire Chinese businessman who's been out of the public eye for three months, has reportedly been spending some time playing golf at one of Hainan's luxurious resorts.

The Sun Valley Golf Resort where Ma was reportedly seen includes a clubhouse, a restaurant and club bar, and a sauna.

The Sun Valley Golf Resort in Hainan. Thomas Breazeale

Sanya, Hainan's most popular tourist destination, boasts more than 25 miles of coastline, a lively city center, and plenty of luxury hotels including a St. Regis, a Ritz-Carlton, a Rosewood, and an Edition hotel.

Getty Images/Юлия Моисеенко

Sanya, Hainan's most popular tourist destination, boasts more than 25 miles of coastline, a lively city center, and plenty of luxury hotels including a St. Regis, a Ritz-Carlton, a Rosewood, and an Edition hotel.

One of Sanya's most luxurious hotels is the Mandarin Oriental, where guests can stay in a variety of suites, villas, and pavilions.

Lucas Schifres/Getty Images

Sanya's beaches can be particularly crowded between November and February.

STR/AFP via Getty Images

Sanya's Phoenix Island, an artificial archipelago with multiple hotels, restaurants, luxury apartment buildings, a conference center, and a marina, has drawn comparisons to Dubai.

Phoenix Island in Sanya. Getty Images/zhou shu

Sanya's Phoenix Island, an artificial archipelago with multiple hotels, restaurants, luxury apartment buildings, a conference center, and a marina, has drawn comparisons to Dubai.

It's not uncommon to see luxury yachts on the water in Sanya.

Luo Yunfei/China News Service via Getty Images

Sanya's Houhai Beach is popular with snorkelers and surfers.

Surfers on Houhai Beach in Sanya in December 2019. Getty Images/Artyom Ivanov

The Sun Valley Golf Resort where Ma was spotted is far from the only place to golf on Hainan. The island is home to multiple golf courses, and the temperate climate means it's possible to play year-round.

A Hainan golf course. Zhe Ji/Getty Images

The Sun Valley Golf Resort where Ma was spotted is far from the only place to golf on Hainan. The island is home to multiple golf courses, and the temperate climate means it's possible to play year-round.

Hainan is one of the few global destinations that's seen a tourist revival during the pandemic - and the CEOs of luxury brands have taken notice, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

Customers shop in Sanya in October 2020. O Luo Yunfei/China News Service via Getty Images

Hainan is one of the few global destinations that's seen a tourist revival during the pandemic - and the CEOs of luxury brands have taken notice, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

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An inside look at Hainan, 'the Hawaii of China,' where Jack Ma was reportedly spotted golfing at a 5-star resort in recent weeks

Hainan is China's smallest and southernmost province, made up of more than 200 islands.

Hainan has been nicknamed the "Hawaii of China" because of its tropical climate, sandy beaches, and upscale hotels and golf clubs.

Jack Ma, the billionaire Chinese businessman who's been out of the public eye for three months, has reportedly been spending some time playing golf at one of Hainan's luxurious resorts.

The Sun Valley Golf Resort where Ma was reportedly seen includes a clubhouse, a restaurant and club bar, and a sauna.

Sanya, Hainan's most popular tourist destination, boasts more than 25 miles of coastline, a lively city center, and plenty of luxury hotels including a St. Regis, a Ritz-Carlton, a Rosewood, and an Edition hotel.

One of Sanya's most luxurious hotels is the Mandarin Oriental, where guests can stay in a variety of suites, villas, and pavilions.

Sanya's beaches can be particularly crowded between November and February.

Sanya's Phoenix Island, an artificial archipelago with multiple hotels, restaurants, luxury apartment buildings, a conference center, and a marina, has drawn comparisons to Dubai.

It's not uncommon to see luxury yachts on the water in Sanya.

Sanya's Houhai Beach is popular with snorkelers and surfers.

The Sun Valley Golf Resort where Ma was spotted is far from the only place to golf on Hainan. The island is home to multiple golf courses, and the temperate climate means it's possible to play year-round.

Hainan is one of the few global destinations that's seen a tourist revival during the pandemic - and the CEOs of luxury brands have taken notice, according to a recent Bloomberg report.