Xisha Yongxing Island, where the blue sea and sky captivate visitors.
As the most mysterious body of water in Hainan Province, the Xisha Islands, hailed as the "Maldives of China," have long been a source of anticipation for travelers. As early as 2011, news that Strait Shipping had been approved to operate Xisha routes thrilled many, but after several twists and turns, there is still no clear date for the official opening of Xisha tourism. With the cruise ship "Princess Coconut" that operated the Xisha route ending its lease contract with the Sansha Municipal Government on the 15th of this month, the launch date has once again become uncertain. But one thing is certain: there will be no trips during this year’s Spring Festival.
Reporters in Hainan gathered the latest updates on the opening of Xisha tourism through multiple interviews. Zhou Naijun, Secretary of the Board of Directors of Strait Shipping, revealed that the Hainan Provincial Department of Transportation has extended the operating rights for the Xisha route by three years, until 2015. A relevant official from the Hainan Provincial Tourism Commission stated that Xisha tourism will definitely open in the future, primarily via luxury cruises, supplemented by air travel.
November 2011 – January 2013: Multiple Delays in Launch Preparations
Xisha Route Operating Rights Extended by Three Years
The first glimmer of hope for opening Xisha tourism emerged in 2011. That November, following approval from the Hainan Provincial Department of Transportation, Strait Shipping was authorized to operate an eco-tourism route from Haikou and Sanya to the Xisha North Reef and nearby islands using its own vessel, the "Princess Coconut." The project preparation period was valid for one year. This marked the first official permission to open Xisha tourism routes, and the news sent shockwaves through the tourism industry. Many insiders optimistically predicted that Xisha tourism would open within a year.
However, by the end of 2012, with the one-year preparation period having expired, there was still no progress on the Xisha route. Subsequently, Strait Shipping submitted a request for an extension to the Hainan Provincial Department of Transportation.
Just as people were hoping for the Xisha route to open soon, Strait Shipping announced that it had signed a lease contract with the Sansha Municipal Government, renting out the "Princess Coconut" to the government for transporting supplies, replacing the original transport ship "Qiongsha No. 3," which was out of service for maintenance. The lease was set to end on January 15, 2013. This news poured cold water on hopes for Xisha tourism once again, meaning that during the lease period, the "Princess Coconut" would not be assigned to the Xisha route.
With the lease period expiring, when the Xisha route would set sail again became a focus of attention. In response, reporters asked Zhou Naijun, Secretary of the Board of Directors of Strait Shipping, about the next steps for the "Princess Coconut." Zhou responded that after completing the charter contract with the Sansha Municipal Government, the company is still studying the next arrangements, and currently, the ship is docked at Xiuying Port in Haikou for maintenance. Meanwhile, the "Qiongsha No. 3" is still under repair, and the Sansha Municipal Government may propose extending the lease contract again.
As for when the Xisha route will open, Zhou Naijun stated that although the company has conducted multiple trial voyages on this route, the formal launch date has not been confirmed due to incomplete pre-launch preparations. However, the company has applied for an extension to the Hainan Provincial Department of Transportation, which has approved a three-year extension of the operating rights, valid until April 30, 2015. This means that as long as all preparations are completed within this period, the route can be launched at any time.
November 2011 – January 2013: Why Were the Launches Continuously Delayed?
Xisha Is Beautiful but Fragile, Fears Over Large Crowds
With such high expectations for Xisha tourism, why has the opening date been repeatedly postponed? Reporters learned that besides some complex national-level factors, technical bottlenecks inherent to Xisha itself have also hindered its smooth opening.
First, the infrastructure on the Xisha Islands is very limited, with only Yongxing Island having relatively developed facilities. Although Yongxing Island is the largest, it spans just over 2 square kilometers. The island currently has a supermarket, post office, hospital, library, ICBC branch, as well as hotels, restaurants, hair salons, barbecue bars, and a KTV. The so-called hotels are only at the level of guesthouses, and due to limitations, they lack the capacity to accommodate large numbers of tourists. Additionally, the total land area of the Xisha Islands is only about 10 square kilometers, unable to host large numbers of visitors. The ecological environment of the islands is also very fragile, and a large influx of tourists could easily cause ecological damage.
Another critical issue is that the entire island group lacks freshwater, with staff relying entirely on supply deliveries for their daily water needs, making it even more difficult to accommodate outside tourists.
These limitations mean that cruise tourism is the most feasible form of travel to Xisha. When passengers travel to Xisha by cruise, they bring their own supplies, reducing the burden on the land; they do not harm the local flora, fauna, or natural environment; and even if docks are built in the future for island visits, daily life will remain on the cruise ships.
Wang Jiansheng, President of the Hainan Tourism Development Research Association, told reporters that Yongxing Island is currently accelerating infrastructure development. The island’s airport has been expanded to accommodate medium-sized aircraft, and the docks have also been enlarged. A sewage treatment plant is also under planning, which will allow all sewage to be treated directly on the island. These developments are laying the groundwork for future openings.
January 2013: Insights into Future Xisha Plans
Larger Cruises and More Routes Coming
The route approved for Strait Shipping only covers travel from Haikou and Sanya to the Xisha North Reef and nearby islands, and does not include Yongxing Island, the largest island in the Xisha archipelago, leaving many Xisha enthusiasts feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
Wang Jiansheng noted that given the small size of the Xisha Islands and their fragile ecological environment, Xisha tourism will be positioned as a mid-to-high-end, niche tourism experience. According to the development plan for Xisha tourism by Hainan’s tourism authorities, the focus will be on maritime cruises, supplemented by air travel. The plan outlines two phases: first developing tourism in the Xisha Islands, followed by the uninhabited nearby islands of Hainan. The first officially confirmed Xisha tourism route has already been set, running from Haikou and Sanya to the Xisha North Reef and nearby islands, operated by the cruise ship "Princess Coconut."
Beyond this officially confirmed Xisha route, Wang Jiansheng revealed that more routes are planned, with Strait Shipping also applying for additional ones. Future Xisha tourism will prioritize the largest island, Yongxing Island, before expanding to other suitable nearby islands. In other words, after the opening of Xisha tourism, Yongxing Island will definitely be open for landings.
Regarding the carriers for these routes, Wang Jiansheng explained that the focus will be on “cruises as the main option, supplemented by air travel.” In addition to the "Princess Coconut," a larger luxury cruise ship similar to the "Pacific Sun" is planned for the future. With a displacement of 25,000 tons and 740 cabins, the ship will feature a golf course, swimming pool, and grand ballroom—essentially a five-star hotel floating on the sea. In comparison, the "Princess Coconut" would be considered a mere “beginner.”