Commanding a prized east coast location near the city of Wanning, the private oceanfront setting of The Ritz-Carlton resort with its two crescents of white sandy beach, will also include the debut of the first Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in China. The challenging 18-hole course will be designed by golf legend, Jack Nicklaus.

“Nanyan Bay will be a sensational new resort destination for The Ritz-Carlton in the much heard about but relatively under-explored ‘Hawaii of the East’,” said Herve Humler, president and chief operating officer for The Ritz-Carlton. “We are pleased to be working with our partners, Hainan Golden Tide Tourism Development, to create a new international oceanfront resort for sophisticated travelers looking to explore the unexplored.”

The Ritz-Carlton, Nanyan Bay is scheduled to open in 2017 offering 244 generous guestrooms and suites in addition to 14 private villas. Five dining options include a Chinese restaurant, pool bar and grill, all-day dining restaurant and lobby lounge. Weddings and meetings will be hosted in lavish settings amid the 800sqm Grand Ballroom and the 1,600sqm of meeting and event venue space. A luxury spa, fitness center, recreation pavilion and multiple swimming pools are among the resort’s private facilities. Completing the ocean view development will be residences, entertainment and luxury retail stores.

Just a short speed-boat ride away, a myriad of secluded islands such as Dazhou and Jiajiang are famed for their scuba and watersports.

The Hainan government has highlighted Wanning as a new tourism hub by completing infrastructure projects such as a new nearby airport, a high speed railway and new roads to improve accessibility.

It has placed emphasis on showcasing the island’s rich cultural heritage and wealth of natural landmarks. The Ritz-Carlton, Nanyan Bay is surrounded by the famed Dongshan Ridge which is known as the First Mountain of Hainan with the oldest Buddhist  temples in the province. The location is also close to several natural hotsprings and nature trails leading into the ancient tropical rainforests with 4,600 kinds of flora and fauna and the home to one of the three important local ethnic tribes – the Miao people. Wanning prefecture is also home to the largest surf club in Asia and the home of international caliber surfing competitions.