As the new year gets underway and the Spring Festival approaches, many travelers are considering where to spend their time off in the months to come. As airlines continue to cut prices and travel bureaus issue promotional activities in an attempt to lure pleasure-seeking holiday-makers, the Global Times has waded through the vast array of options to arrive at the Top 5 Hot Destinations in China for 2010.

Hainan Island: tropical paradise

Sun, sea and sand, Hainan is a haven for those wanting to escape the hectic pace of city life and relax in one of the many highly-appointed resorts that the island has to offer. For the budget conscious there are also plenty of affordable accommodation options within a stone's throw away of beautiful white, sandy beaches.

Adding to the natural scenery, Hainan is officially building itself into an "International Tourism Island" this year in an effort to boost tourism numbers and present state-of-the-art shopping and infrastructure options.

"It is the first year of the Hainan International Tourism Island," Wei Liucheng, Secretary of the CPC, Hainan Provincial Committee, announced last week. He explained that alongside the planned construction, festival and entertainment activities will be organized throughout the year to make Hainan into a popular base for island holiday-