Southern China's Hainan Province has seen a significant boost in tourism activity, with data showing a 25-percent increase in visitor arrivals from the previous year.
On the first three days of 2026, the island province welcomed 2.2 million tourists, following the launch of special customs operations in mid-December of 2025 and expanded duty-free access.
Tourism remains one of Hainan's most vital industries, with international visitors flocking to the island for a variety of unique experiences on land, underwater, and in the sky.
At Atlantis Sanya, a landmark hotel in the city, one of the standout attractions has been the mesmerizing underwater performances. Visitors have been captivated by the ethereal mermaid shows, with some even expressing awe at the performers' endurance and grace.
"It was a spectacular show. I still can't work out how they held their breath so long. The movement, the mermaids -- it was very enjoyable to watch," said a foreign tourist.
Michelle Xu, director of Marketing and Public Relations at Atlantis Sanya, highlighted the inclusive nature of the experience.
"The area we are in now is actually a public space. Access to watch this underwater dance show is completely open and free of charge," Xu said.
In addition to entertainment, Hainan caters to visitors seeking personal growth and intellectual engagement. For some, the New Year is the perfect time to recharge mentally and physically.
"I came all the way from Chongqing to Sanya. Right after work and school, we rushed here, partly to attend the talk; and also help my child to release his academic pressure," said Wang Tingjia, a tourist from Chongqing Municipality in southwest China, around 1,300 kilometers away from Sanya.
The event was part of a cooperation project between the Sanya authorities and Dedao, a widely used learning app known for its cultural and knowledge-based services.
"The Chinese people's demand for this kind of cultural and knowledge-based consumption is growing stronger. This year coincides with Hainan Free Trade Port launch of its special customs operations, so the Sanya municipal government has partnered with our New Year's Eve talk. In one way, this collaboration echoes the theme of boundless opportunities embodied by the Free Trade Port. Meanwhile, it also brings Sanya an unprecedented 'Knowledge-themed New Year's celebration'," said Chai Yingjuan, director of public affairs at Dedao.
Hainan's tourism offerings have extended beyond the shores and into the skies. Low-altitude aerial tours have become a new favorite, giving visitors unparalleled views of the island's natural beauty.
"We can take guests up to 50 meters above ground to witness the breathtaking experience of the sun rising over the sea at dawn, while also offering an aerial view of Haitang Bay. This project essentially fills a gap in low-altitude tourism among Sanya's resort offerings and has become a flagship product in this field," said Vivi Guo, director of Sales and Marketing of Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay Resort & Spa.
With its diverse attractions ranging from underwater spectacles to cultural enrichment and sky-high adventures, Hainan's tourism industry is thriving. Bolstered by its growing infrastructure and the advantages of the newly launched special customs operations, the island is set to continue attracting international guests seeking a wide array of experiences.
New Year holiday sees surge in tourists, fresh experiences in Hainan
An industry observer said that 2026 is poised to be a "year of sequels and cultural stories" in global animation, following a strong 2025 where such films dominated box offices worldwide.
With heavyweights like Toy Story 5, Minions 3, and China's perennial favorite Boonie Bears set for release, along with culturally rooted productions such as The Three Kingdoms: War 1 Luoyang, the coming months are expected to draw large audiences and reinforce animation's central role in cinema.
This optimism is built on a solid foundation from the previous year.
Looking back at China's film market in 2025, animated features emerged as a powerful driving force. Four of the year's top 10 highest-grossing films were animations, three of which were domestic productions.
Total animation revenue exceeded 25 billion yuan (around 3.58 billion U.S. dollars), capturing nearly 50 percent of the annual box office. As the new year unfolds, the animation sector continues to shine with promising highlights.
A key trend driving this momentum is the surge of sequels from major franchises.
"One notable trend is the abundance of sequels to classic animated films, particularly from Hollywood. Several iconic series are releasing new installments, making 2026 a year of animated sequels. Given their strong IP foundation, these sequels are expected to attract more audiences' attention and achieve solid box office results," said Hu Jianli, secretary general of the Chinese Film Critics Society.
Alongside these international sequels, domestic animation IPs are also deepening their influence and expanding their reach. The annual Boonie Bears series will welcome its latest installment, while the popular TV series The Immortal Ascension is set for its big-screen debut.
"It's fair to say that the Boonie Bears series has maintained the most consistent quality among domestic animated film franchises over the years. Its expansion from television to movies, merchandise, and theme parks represents a fully developed industrial chain, greatly strengthening the IP's presence in the public consciousness. As for The Immortal Ascension, it's the first time that the animation IP is adapted for the big screen, which naturally generates exceptional attention—especially following the successful live-action web series last year. If this first animated film adaptation succeeds, it has the potential to become a major film IP in its own right," said Hu.
Beyond the reliance on established franchises, another significant creative trend is the growing number of animated films drawing inspiration from China's rich classical literature and historical epics. This approach aims to connect with audiences through deeply rooted cultural narratives.
A leading example is a prominent Chinese animation studio Light Chaser Animation's upcoming "The Three Kingdoms: War 1 Luoyang", which dramatizes the early power struggles from the famed historical period.
"We are seeing a clear increase in animated films adapted from classic Chinese novels and myths. Light Chaser Animation Studios' 'New Culture Series' has performed exceptionally well in our animated film market—for example, 30,000 Miles from Changan earned over 1.8 billion yuan (around 257.98 million U.S. dollars) at the box office. This series has truly succeeded in creatively transforming and innovatively developing China's outstanding traditional culture for the big screen, while also resonating emotionally with today's young audiences through its storytelling and character adaptations," said Hu.
Beyond sequels and adaptations rooted in traditional culture, original animated films are also carving out their space with unique concepts and distinctive styles, showcasing further creative possibilities.
Titles such as Arco, a 2025 animated science-fantasy film, and Pixar's Hoppers exemplify this trend of innovation.
"I believe animated films will remain a major force in the global box office in 2026. The worldwide top-grossing film of 2024 was Inside Out 2, and in 2025 it was China's Ne Zha 2. So I'm confident that animated films will once again rank among the highest-grossing releases globally this year," Hu said.
Animated films set to dominate 2026 global box office with strong lineup
