Resort islands remain the most popular summer getaway destinations with package deals to Sanya, Hainan Province presenting a bargain this year, according to Ctrip, an online tour service company.

Usually package prices to Sanya rise about 30 percent every summer, but this year the margin of rise is just 20 percent, Ctrip said.

Ctrip expected half of its customers who love to travel to islands will choose Sanya, as the city has what is widely regarded as the best beach in the country, and prices are favorable.

The Maldives, Bali and Sabah are also popular among summer tourists, the company said.

For short-term travel, the Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Center will release new packages for the summer holiday.

The packages are usually of one to two days, bound for places featuring water such as Wuxie and Shuangxi in Zhejiang Province.

The price will range between 110 yuan (16 U.S. dollars) to 160 yuan, officials said.

"Places having plenty of water will be cooler than elsewhere, which attract people most during summer," said Xu Zhuoru, an official with the sightseeing bus center.

(Shanghai Daily June 28,2008)