A medical worker gives massage to a Canadian visitor at the Boao Yiling Life Care Center in Boao, a coastal town of south China's Hainan Province, June 13, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Nestled in the coastal town of Boao in south China's Hainan Province, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone is rapidly becoming a leading hub for health and innovation in China, drawing increasing attention from around the world.

Hailed as China's sole "medical special zone," the pilot zone is home to over 30 top-tier domestic and international medical institutions. Thanks to special policy support, the medical zone has introduced 485 advanced medicines and medical devices approved overseas but not yet available in the domestic market, benefiting over 130,000 patients.

Plagued by growing lumps on his chest and back that interfered with his work, Canadian figure skating coach Mark Batka chose to undergo surgery during a four-day wellness trip to the pilot zone.

"In Canada, it is more expensive, and also it takes time to book it. And I was here, so I thought I would give it a try and I was very happy and I think it went very well," he said.

Mark is just one of many international visitors who have benefited from the medical zone's services, which go beyond world-class treatments to offer a holistic experience, ranging from premium health check-ups and a fusion of traditional Chinese and Western therapies to cultural activities like incense appreciation, tea ceremonies and calligraphy.

The Boao Yiling Life Care Center, a premier integrated medical service provider within the medical zone, offers a wide range of services like health management, disease prevention, specialized treatments, rehabilitation, and mental wellness.

Janet Wong, who is part of the Canadian wellness tour group with Mark, said she was astounded by the high-end health check-up she received at the life care center.

"We were so amazed right from the start when we arrived," she said, adding that the treatments were excellent and the medical check-up was incredibly thorough.

"In some ways, it does feel like a vacation," said Stephanie Wing See Yau, another member of the Canadian group, praising the center as a truly top-notch facility.

"It's very impressive how they put all these treatments in one place," she said, noting that it's refreshing to see a focus on overall wellness, not just physical, but mental as well. She described the medical tour as a great experience and said she would definitely recommend it to her friends.

As part of its push to become the "capital of medical tourism," the pilot zone has launched 25 specialized routes tailored to diverse needs, from traditional Chinese medicine and chronic disease management to luxury diagnostics and cosmetic rehabilitation, gaining growing popularity worldwide. It has also become a key platform supporting Hainan's efforts to build an international hub for tourism and consumption.

In 2024, the pilot zone attracted over 410,000 medical visitors, up 36.76 percent year on year. So far this year, the medical zone has already welcomed 188,300 medical tourists from countries including Canada, Spain, Russia, Uzbekistan and Cuba.

Kareldus Agas, director of International Tourism Promotion, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, was deeply impressed by the comprehensive services in Lecheng after experiencing health projects featuring traditional Chinese cultural activities like calligraphy and Chinese cupping.

He said Lecheng offered not only cutting-edge medical services but also a seamless blend of relaxation, wellness and spiritual healing, creating a truly remarkable experience. Even without the need for medical treatment, he expressed a strong desire to return, simply to enjoy the unique sense of relaxation it provides.

The medical zone has established partnerships with over 180 pharmaceutical and medical device companies from 20 countries, ensuring access to advanced international medical services for both domestic and international visitors, said He Ying, an official with the medical tourism department of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone Administration.

He added that the zone will continue to strengthen its service platforms and international reception capabilities, with the goal of becoming a world-class medical tourism destination.

As part of its broader economic strategy, China is building Hainan into a Free Trade Port and aims to transform the province into a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035.