The Pearl in the Bohai Sea: Why Does So Few Tourists Visit China's Most Charming Ocean?
People who love to travel may have heard of Luolan Ancient City, and indeed, it is known as the place with the most expensive entrance tickets in China, with tickets costing as much as 3500 yuan. Furthermore, entering requires prior application, so this mysterious place is rarely visited by travelers.
However, besides Luolan Ancient City, there is another place in China that is not easy to travel to. Perhaps you think I am talking about Mount Everest, but you are wrong. This place is not only the city with the fewest people in China, but also the only place in China where foreigners are not allowed to travel. Moreover, to travel here, you need to book a limited number of slots in advance, with only a few thousand per year. Can you guess where I am talking about?
This place is called Sansha City, located in Hainan Province, and it is also the latest established prefecture-level city in China. It is not only the southernmost administrative district of China, but also the largest in land area and the smallest in land area, with the fewest people. Sansha City has a large area, encompassing the reefs and sea areas of the Xisha, Zhongsha, and Nansha Islands, with a land area of more than 20 square kilometers and a total area of more than 2 million square kilometers. However, its population is pitifully small, with only 2,500 people and only 448 household registration people, which can be called a truly 'land of few people'.
The reason why Sansha City does not allow foreigners to enter for tourism is only because it belongs to China's southern border and is a military strategic location. Even Chinese people wishing to visit for observation are restricted in numbers, and the personal requirements are also very strict. So, how many people are allowed to visit Sansha City each year? The number of visitors received over five years, from 2013 to 2017, was approximately 32,000, and this total number, over five years, is less than the number of tourists visiting West Lake in Hangzhou for one day. Considering the bustling tourism in Hainan, Sansha City is indeed a quiet stream in the tourism world.
Because Sansha City has no factories, the seas and skies here are exceptionally blue, with blue waters, white sands, and numerous seashells. It can be said that it has the most beautiful seas in China. Many people apply to travel to Sansha City every year, but due to the limited number of slots, few people are able to visit the island. This has also become the dream destination for many travel enthusiasts.
The beauty of Sansha is not only the sea, blue sky and sand, because the water is so clear, here is also a diving paradise for enthusiasts. If you can dive here, you will believe in the clear water and the unspoiled underwater landscape, it will make you love this place even more. Moreover, all life here seems to be particularly close to people. When you dive into the water, besides various fish, the coral reefs underwater are breathtaking.
Currently, individuals are unable to travel here and must book tours. The tourist season is similar to that of Sanya, which is winter and spring. If the weather is clear, you can go to the beautiful and prosperous Xisha Islands to dive and fish, and experience this sleeping island in the South China Sea.
If Sanya is China's Hawaii, then Sansha is China's Maldives – the scenery is beyond description. If you have the opportunity to go, don't miss it!
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