Island combines tropical appeal with industrial haven

Comfortable life

Apart from the low cost of living and preferential policies, the reasonable work-life balance is another reason why Zhao chose to relocate to the island.

"I can breathe the clean air all year round, and as our industrial park is located by the seaside, I can enjoy fabulous sea views by walking only 20 meters. It means that I can easily get a break from my tense job," said Zhao.

Efforts to build a comfortable life for entrepreneurs and workers are also happening at other key industrial parks in Hainan.

At the Hainan Free Trade Port Resort Software Community located in northwestern Chengmai county, the concept of a "tiny city "is being developed. Residents live and work at the industrial park where their entertainment needs and children's education are also met. All the facilities are within a 15-minute walk of each other.

The community has received more than 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) from enterprises, different levels of government and private investors to build the comprehensive space that weaves together the needs of the natural environment, production and people's lives.

"It's really cool to see that our office is located in a park with beautiful scenery, isn't it?" said Cai Yao, a worker at an IT company in the industrial park, as he points to lush vegetation and a lake outside an office window.

"Is it like working in a tropical rainforest?" he wondered.

Having worked in the company's headquarters in Beijing for two years, Cai moved to Hainan in 2018 and is now the head of the research and development team there.

The beautiful scenery, the low cost of living, and the convenient facilities enticed the 32-year-old to buy an apartment in the industrial park.

After work, he often joins seminars and activities run by hobby clubs located in the industrial park. The activities include chess, basketball, badminton and camping.

Cai jokes that working in the convenient community and enjoying a relaxed lifestyle have helped keep his hair thick, "unlike most software professionals in big cities who suffer severe hair loss because of the great working pressure and long working hours".

With its rapid construction and development, the industrial park is attracting more young talents like Cai and more enterprises.

Revenue from the industrial park rose by more than 50 billion yuan between 2016 and 2020, five folds the amount between 2011 and 2015, official statistics show.

By the end of last year, more than 13,500 enterprises had registered in the industrial park, representing year-on-year growth of 14 percent.

Cai's colleague Li Hao, who originally hails from North China's Hebei province, is also pleased he made the move.

Having worked in his company's headquarters in Beijing for three years, Li relocated his family to Chengmai in 2020 and is now the general manager of the company's Hainan branch.

"Thanks to the policies of the free trade port regarding talent, I bought an apartment nearby at a very reasonable price, and my child has also been admitted to a good local school," he said.

"All my family members are very happy with their new, comfortable life in Hainan. And maybe I'm the happiest — not only because life here is relaxing, but more importantly, my career has developed here," Li added.