Poet Yi Miyi calls Sanya home, its poetic tranquility prevails among luxury

But the deepest depression to ever hit China’s southernmost city was not enough to frighten Yi Miyi away. Instead, she fell in love with its clear blue sea and decided to stay.

A decade later, Sanya has changed beyond recognition and is enjoying a surge of popularity for its picturesque coast, sparkling sea and soft sands, now lined by luxury international hotels.

Yi Miyi lives close to the famous Dadong Sea, which is shaped like a bow, has a thousand-meter-long white sandy beach, rows of coconut trees, an easy sea breeze and only occasional rain. Above all, its warm weather all year long has made it a renowned bathing beach.

The poet enthuses over Sanya in a surprisingly down-to-earth way, pointing out its reputation as having "the best air quality", the highest amount of purifying "negative ions of oxygen" in China and second highest in the world.

Sanya’s remote location made it a haven for exiles in ancient times but that same geographical feature has made it better known as a romantic getaway nowadays. Artists like Yi Miyi gather there to share their ideas and Sanya has also been the site of the Miss World pageant for the last three years.

The five-star hotels, skyscrapers and giant mansions give Sanya an ultra-modern appearance but its leisurely lifestyle is never-changing. Sanya continues to inspire artists and they, in turn, contribute to its poetic character.