CDF Taikoo Li Sanya unveiled as new high-end resort retail landmark

An aerial view of the CDF Taikoo Li Sanya (Phase III of the Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex) construction site on Oct 12. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

The third phase of the Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex has been officially named China Duty Free (CDF) Taikoo Li Sanya. This venture is a collaboration between Swire Properties and China Tourism Group Duty Free Corporation Limited.

With a total investment of 7 billion yuan ($1.05 billion) and spanning about 210,000 square meters, it will gradually open to the public starting this year. The aim is to create a top-tier destination combining luxury retail, cultural arts and iconic tropical beach experiences, setting a new standard for high-end resort-style shopping in China.

Situated in the heart of Haitang Bay's national coastal area, CDF Taikoo Li Sanya is Swire Properties' first resort-style Taikoo Li project. The project blends local cultural elements into an open-air street design, offering a commercial leisure space that merges local charm with international quality.

The area around CDF Taikoo Li Sanya includes the main business district of Haitang Bay, clusters of five-star hotels and a national medical wellness hub. It's expected to draw more visitors to the area, both domestic and international, who are looking for high-quality, diverse retail, dining, cultural and leisure experiences.

A representative from Swire Properties in the Chinese mainland expressed strong confidence in the future of Sanya and the Hainan Free Trade Port, saying that CDF Taikoo Li Sanya plans to integrate innovative management and community-building concepts with Sanya's local culture, evolving alongside the city. The goal is to create a world-class tourism and shopping hub and set a global example for sustainable urban living.

According to a representative from China Tourism Group Duty Free Corporation Limited, CDF Taikoo Li Sanya is a strategic project aimed at matching international standards while focusing on the Hainan FTP. Positioned as a high-end retail destination, it will innovate business models and collaborate closely with the first two phases of the Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex, enhancing the leisure and vacation shopping experience while supporting the development of Sanya's core international tourism area.

Sustainability is a key focus in the design of CDF Taikoo Li Sanya. The project features eco-friendly architecture, climate-adaptive measures and an ecological corridor that links rooftop gardens and landscaped areas. It prioritizes native plants to protect local biodiversity.

Notably, it preserves two ancient trees on-site, showcasing a commitment to cultural heritage and natural conservation. The project will also connect to natural riverside trails along the Haitang River, creating an immersive island culture and eco-friendly atmosphere within the open-air commercial streets.

As a significant commercial landmark in Hainan's development as an international tourism hub, CDF Taikoo Li Sanya is expected to enhance the variety of shopping options in Haitang Bay as it opens in phases. It aims to elevate Sanya's international appeal as a vacation destination and inject new energy into the integrated development of culture, tourism and commerce in the Hainan FTP.