With the growing trend of Vanuatu immigration, the tourism industry in Vanuatu is also gradually emerging! This country, which has twice been named the "happiest place on Earth," deeply attracts a large number of Chinese tourists with its beautiful natural scenery and simple, authentic local customs. So, what are the fascinating and unique landscapes of this island nation composed of 83 small islands? Please follow our editor's narrative and step into the realm of Vanuatu!
Vanuatu Underwater Post Office
In 1940, during the war-torn years of World War II, the postal department of Nassau, the capital of the British Bahamas, established a so-called "underwater post office" to facilitate communication between workers and residents engaged in long-term deep-sea fishing and coral harvesting and the outside world, serving as a unified collection point for mail from those working underwater.
To attract tourists, Vanuatu opened the world's only true "underwater post office" on Hideaway Island in May 2003. This underwater post office is staffed by postal workers who have undergone professional diving training. Those wishing to send mail must wear a respirator or a diving suit and descend three meters deep to post waterproof postcards, after which the post office staff will apply a special seal. This underwater post office is located 30 to 40 meters from the shore and is built 3 meters below the sea surface. There is no other way to get there to mail a letter except by diving. The postcards used for mailing are specially designed waterproof postcards, which can be purchased at nearby shops for approximately 15 RMB each.
Efate Island
Efate Island, also known as Vate or Sandwich Island, is the main island of Vanuatu in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. This is a beautiful coral island where the seabed features "forests," "deserts," "peaks," and "grasslands." If you dive to the seabed to observe closely, you will find that the scenery is not much different from that on land, except that the "forests" are made of coral trees, the "peaks" are white sand on the seabed, and the "grasslands" are, naturally, lush underwater plants.
Due to the lack of pollution, the seawater here is exceptionally clear, with a depth of about 5 to 8 meters, making it transparent to the bottom. Tourists can see many sea cows from the surface; these sea cows are as big as pigs, have hair on their bodies, and use their large, suction-cup-like mouths to graze on seagrass on the seabed. Most sea turtles are as large as small round tables, surfacing to breathe and then diving back to the seabed to forage. Tourists can dive to the seabed and hold onto a sea turtle, which will carry them up from the bottom when it surfaces to breathe, which is very fun.
In addition to visiting indigenous tribes, traditional markets, cultural museums, and historical sites from the US-Japan battles of World War II, other popular activities on Efate Island include exploring tropical rainforests for forest bathing, taking rafts to admire waterfalls on the island and nearby villages, watching indigenous hunting methods and dance performances, and chartering yachts for deep-sea fishing.
Port Vila
Located on the south coast of Shefa Province, Port Vila is the capital of Vanuatu. It possesses an airport and a port, serving as the country's economic and cultural center, as well as its international and domestic maritime and shipping hub. It is also the administrative center of the first central district. Melanesians have lived in Port Vila for over a thousand years, and during World War II, Port Vila served as an airbase for the United States and Australia.
Port Vila is Vanuatu's most important port and national economic center, and an important tax haven in Oceania. The city's largest industrial activities are agriculture and fishing, and tourism is also quite significant, especially with travelers from Australia and New Zealand, with the number of visitors from these two countries reaching 50,000 in 1997. Port Vila boasts a long coastline, and its extensive beaches and clear waters are its greatest features, making it a destination yearned for by tourists from around the world. A popular tourist destination is the Vanuatu Underwater Post Office. The Vanuatu Underwater Post Office is the world's only true "underwater post office," staffed by postal workers who have undergone professional diving training. Those wishing to send mail must wear a respirator or a diving suit and descend three meters deep to post waterproof postcards, after which the post office staff will apply a special seal.
Mount Yasur
Mount Yasur, located on Tanna Island in the South Pacific of the Republic of Vanuatu, has been erupting for centuries. Mount Yasur has an elevation of only 361 meters, but it has many craters within a 400-meter radius. Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Mount Yasur is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. When the volcano erupts, hot magma hisses as it hits the crater, accompanied by lava being thrown into the air. Many tourists arrive before dawn to watch this spectacular scene, experiencing the thrill of heat waves rushing toward them without the protection of fences.
The lava ejected by Mount Yasur mostly falls straight down and is rarely ejected at an angle, which is why it is known as one of the "most accessible volcanoes in the world" and generally does not harm tourists. The volcano drives the local tourism industry and brings high income to Tanna Island. While exploring, tourists can enjoy the silhouette of the mountain peak in the morning light and the scenery of the sea, while also visiting this island once known for "cannibalism." The local area has launched traditional Vanuatu village tour programs, where residents wear grass skirts, eat coconuts, and warmly welcome tourists.
Chief Roi Mata’s Domain
Chief Roi Mata’s Domain is located in the central-southern part of the island nation of Vanuatu. The Chief Roi Mata domain is the first site in Vanuatu to be inscribed on the World Heritage List. It consists of three sites from the 17th century, reflecting the life and death, social reforms, conflicts, and beliefs of people in central Vanuatu.
Chief Roi Mata’s Domain includes three sites built in the early 17th century on Efate Island, Lelepa Island, and Artok Island. These sites are associated with the life and death of the last supreme chief, or Roi Mata, and have now become the center of Vanuatu. This heritage also includes the residence of Roi Mata, the place where he died, and his mass burial site. It is closely linked to the oral traditions concerning the chief and the moral values he advocated.
Chief Roi Mata’s Domain embodies the fusion of oral tradition and archaeology, bearing witness to the journey of Roi Mata in implementing social reforms and resolving conflicts. To this day, this journey continues to influence the local people.