They survived lockdown in Shanghai, only to be trapped again in Hainan

CNN — “I chose to come to Sanya because the Covid restrictions are more relaxed than Shanghai,” said Li Zefeng, an engineer who lives in China’s biggest city. Hainan province is often called China’s equivalent to Hawaii or the Maldives – think gorgeous stretches of beachfront, sleek hotels with world-class amenities and a sense you’ve escaped the pressures of everyday life. Despite the local government saying it would provide hotel and meal assistance to all those inconvenienced by the lockdown, some took to social media sites like Weibo to complain that the help wasn’t enough. As China’s borders remain essentially closed, many Chinese have opted for domestic travel since the start of the pandemic, and Hainan – with its sun, sand and duty free shopping – has been one of the most popular destinations.