Hainan emerges as a rising medical tourism destination

Visa-free entry, a pleasant tropical climate and relatively affordable healthcare costs are drawing more international visitors to China's southern island province of Hainan.

From January to July this year, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in eastern Hainan received more than 8,600 overseas medical tourists, up 5.4 times year on year.

Visitors came from 14 countries and regions, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia and Canada.

The province offers a range of services for international visitors, from health check-ups and surgical procedures to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments.

The growing interest also extends to TCM education and cultural experiences.

Recently, 42 international students from 13 countries took part in a TCM training program in Sanya, gaining hands-on insight into traditional Chinese healing techniques from local experts, including acupuncture and pulse diagnosis.