Hainan is fast becoming a top destination for international medical tourism. Located in the town of Boao in southern China, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone is now a major center for advanced healthcare, drawing visitors from around the world.
Known as China’s only “medical special zone,” the pilot zone includes over 30 top medical institutions from China and abroad. It benefits from special government policies that allow it to use 485 medical products and devices approved in other countries but not yet in the Chinese market. So far, more than 130,000 patients have benefited from these services.
One such visitor is Canadian figure skating coach Mark Batka. He chose to have surgery during a four-day health trip to the medical zone. He said it was cheaper and faster than back home in Canada. Mark said he was pleased with the results and the care he received.
Many visitors from other countries share Mark’s experience. The medical zone is known not only for top-class treatments but also for its complete wellness services. These include health check-ups, traditional Chinese and Western therapies, and cultural experiences like tea ceremonies, incense art, and calligraphy.
The Boao Yiling Life Care Center is a key service provider within the zone. It offers a wide range of services, such as health screening, disease prevention, mental health care, and physical therapy. The center blends medical care with relaxation and cultural healing.
Janet Wong, a member of the Canadian tour group, said the quality of the medical check-up amazed her. She found the care to be detailed and high-class. Another group member, Stephanie Wing See Yau, praised the center for offering both physical and mental wellness. She said it felt more like a vacation than a hospital visit.
To meet various patient needs, the pilot zone has introduced 25 medical tourism routes. These cover areas such as traditional Chinese medicine, chronic disease treatment, luxury health screenings, and cosmetic recovery. These routes are becoming popular with tourists worldwide.
In 2024, the zone welcomed over 410,000 medical visitors. This was a 36.76 percent rise compared to the previous year. In the first half of 2025 alone, it has already received more than 188,000 visitors from countries such as Canada, Spain, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Cuba.
Kareldus Agas, a senior official from Indonesia’s tourism ministry, praised the zone after joining wellness projects that included calligraphy and cupping therapy. He said the experience was both peaceful and powerful, and that the zone offers much more than just medical care. He added that he hopes to return again—even if just for relaxation.
The medical zone has also built global partnerships. Over 180 companies from 20 countries now work with the zone, including major firms in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This ensures that visitors get access to the latest medical technology and services.
He Ying, a top official from the medical zone’s administration, said that the zone is improving its services and will welcome even more foreign visitors in the future. The goal is to become a global leader in medical tourism.
Hainan’s medical tourism growth is part of a larger plan. China is building Hainan into a Free Trade Port. By 2035, the province aims to be a major global hub for tourism and shopping.
