Traditional Chinese medical tourism taking off in Sanya

Sanya is attracting more international travelers seeking treatment by traditional Chinese medicine.

Most of Sanya’s medical tourists come from Russia, Kazakhstan, Sweden and Norway. The Sanya Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital treated 5,000 high-end medical tourists in 2013, with revenues related to medical consumption exceeding 600 million yuan.

The Director of the Sanya Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital said treatment for international medical tourists usually includes acupuncture, massage and Chinese medicine healing. A treatment span lasting 10 days costs on average about $1,500 U.S.

To meet domestic and overseas demand, Sanya is expediting development of its health recovery and recreation tourism projects. The Sanya International Friendship Traditional Chinese Medicine Convalescent Hospital is under construction, and will include a convalescent center, a training center, and a health recovery center.

The local government has adopted the goal of developing Sanya into a "health city" — a Chinese medicine health care and recovery center that will enjoy international popularity.

It’s become fashionable for Russian people to receive Chinese medicinal treatments while traveling. Sanya will spur the development of the Chinese medicinal treatment and recreation industry, providing more and better medical therapies for overseas tourists and offering more products through which they can experience Chinese culture.

Medical students from Austria, Sweden and other countries have also come to Sanya to participate in training sessions on acupuncture, massage, and traditional Chinese medicine knowledge.

Chinese medicine health recovery institutions in Sanya have signed contracts with relevant institutions in Russia to provide medical treatment and training sessions.