<strong>Hainan's architectural 'arms race': </strong>Spectacular new hotels and entertainment complexes are springing up in Sanya and Haikou, Hainan's major cities, in recent years. Architect Chris Bosse's design for the central area of Ocean Flower Island in western Hainan is one of the most anticipated projects.
Hainan's architectural 'arms race': Spectacular new hotels and entertainment complexes are springing up in Sanya and Haikou, Hainan's major cities, in recent years. Architect Chris Bosse's design for the central area of Ocean Flower Island in western Hainan is one of the most anticipated projects.
LAVA Architecture
<strong>Ocean Flower Island: </strong>Bosse said the project was designed to resemble a lotus flower, with five petals.
Ocean Flower Island: Bosse said the project was designed to resemble a lotus flower, with five petals.
LAVA Architecture
<strong>Ocean Flower Resort: </strong>Spread across multiple artificial islands and built by Evergrande, one of China's largest property developers, the project is advertised to contain theme parks, shopping malls, museums and an opera theater as well as a massive conference center.
Ocean Flower Resort: Spread across multiple artificial islands and built by Evergrande, one of China's largest property developers, the project is advertised to contain theme parks, shopping malls, museums and an opera theater as well as a massive conference center.
LAVA Architecture
<strong>The Aloha hotel: </strong>The Aloha hotel and entertainment complex, designed by Scott Myklebust, is currently being built on Lingshui Bay near Sanya.
The Aloha hotel: The Aloha hotel and entertainment complex, designed by Scott Myklebust, is currently being built on Lingshui Bay near Sanya.
M Co Design
<strong>The Aloha hotel:</strong> Inspired by the famous Waikiki waterfront in Hawaii -- a fitting design for the "Hawaii of China" -- the Aloha resort will feature thousands of hotel rooms, serviced apartments and villas.
The Aloha hotel: Inspired by the famous Waikiki waterfront in Hawaii -- a fitting design for the "Hawaii of China" -- the Aloha resort will feature thousands of hotel rooms, serviced apartments and villas.
M Co Design
<strong>Paramount Boao: </strong>Paramount Boao is a five-star Hainan hotel designed by YWS Design & Architecture's Mike Stewart.
Paramount Boao: Paramount Boao is a five-star Hainan hotel designed by YWS Design & Architecture's Mike Stewart.
YWS Design & Architecture
<strong>Paramount Boao: </strong>The patterned shades are designed to channel cool breezes and give the impression you're walking under a canopy.
Paramount Boao: The patterned shades are designed to channel cool breezes and give the impression you're walking under a canopy.
YWS Design & Architecture
<strong>Beauty Crown Grand-Tree Hotel: </strong>Beauty Crown Grand-Tree Hotel in Sanya, which opened in 2016, features nine enormous tree-like structures, which hold dozens of hotel rooms.
Beauty Crown Grand-Tree Hotel: Beauty Crown Grand-Tree Hotel in Sanya, which opened in 2016, features nine enormous tree-like structures, which hold dozens of hotel rooms.
CNN/Ben Westcott
<strong>Phoenix Island: </strong>Phoenix Island is a cluster of sail-shaped skyscrapers on a man-made island surrounded by the sea.
Phoenix Island: Phoenix Island is a cluster of sail-shaped skyscrapers on a man-made island surrounded by the sea.
AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Phoenix Island:</strong> The buildings tower over Sanya Bay, with the designer saying they were meant to be a "business card" for the area.
Phoenix Island: The buildings tower over Sanya Bay, with the designer saying they were meant to be a "business card" for the area.
CNN/Ben Westcott