After surviving the lockdown in Shanghai, they found themselves once again trapped in Hainan

"I decided to come to Sanya because the Covid restrictions are less strict than in Shanghai," said Li Zefeng, an engineer from China's largest city.

But, like many others who sought refuge on the resort island off southern China, he would soon regret his choice.

Hainan is often referred to as China’s version of Hawaii or the Maldives, with its stunning beaches, luxurious resorts, and the feeling of escaping from the everyday grind.

However, the vacation atmosphere was disrupted last week when 1,200 people in Sanya, a popular resort town, tested positive for the coronavirus.

Under China’s rigid “zero-Covid” policy, around 80,000 domestic tourists found themselves trapped in paradise.

For many of these visitors, the situation meant not only frantic calls to family and altering their travel plans, but also a sense of déjà vu—many had come to Hainan to escape the strict lockdowns in Shanghai.

Once Covid cases were reported in Hainan, the response was immediate.

The local authorities imposed a lockdown on Sanya, a city of roughly one million people, along with the 80,000 tourists. Flights were canceled, public transport came to a halt, and many visitors were confined to their hotels.

While some saw the chance to extend their time on the beach as a potential silver lining, tourists soon learned they were still expected to pay half the room rate at their resorts—something not everyone could afford. This didn’t even account for extra costs like meals or the impact of missing work.

During the lockdown, visitors were required to remain on the island for a full week and present evidence of five negative Covid tests before they could leave.

Even though the local government promised to provide hotel and meal support to those affected by the lockdown, many took to platforms like Weibo to voice their dissatisfaction, claiming the assistance fell short.

With China’s borders largely closed, many citizens have turned to domestic travel since the pandemic began, and Hainan, known for its beaches, sunshine, and duty-free shopping, has become a top destination.

State media reported that Hainan attracted more than 81 million visitors in 2021.