The first country to see the sunrise, Samoa

Sua Ocean Trench is a stunning site featuring sparkling emerald green water, explosive blowholes and lush gardens (Photo by Quanjiao Wang)

(People’s Daily Online/Ningxin Yuan) Samoa has long been one of the last places on earth to see the sunrise. To boost trade with neighbouring countries, the South Pacific nation skipped across the international date line, which is located only 30 kilometres off its coast, and became the first country to greet the new day.

Referred to as “isles of paradise” by Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island, Samoa is a stunning South Pacific island nation located in the heart of Polynesia below the equator. It is a postcard of natural beauty, consisting of 10 islands inhabited by Samoa’s tourist-friendly and flora-wreathed people.

From the rugged, rainforest-covered volcanic mountain peaks of Savai'i, to the vast valleys leading down to Upolu's coastline, ringed with a necklace of white sandy beaches, this island country is blessed with both stunning land and seascapes. Lalomanu Beach in Samoa is voted as one of the top 10 Beach Destinations in the world by Lonely Planet, while the Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral - the “most beautiful church in the Southern Hemisphere”, is also located here.

Samoa has a 3000-year-old way of life called Fa'a Samoa (“Samoan way of life”), making it one of the most authentic and pristine Pacific societies. It is also a guideline for every Samoan on how to lead their lives by celebrating and embracing traditional values, their culture and the environment.

As the 2019 Year of Tourism for China - Pacific Island Countries launched in Samoa, Chinese tourists are increasingly welcomed, as Samoa is officially categorised as a tourism destination for visitors from China. Chinese visitors can obtain a visa upon arrival in Samoa for a maximum stay of 90 days.