Best Time to Visit
Sanya, known for its endless summer and mild winters, is an ideal destination for travelers from November to April, which is considered the dry season. However, from May to October, Sanya experiences its rainy season, characterized by thunderstorms, making it less suitable for travel.
March and April are considered the true low season for tourism in Sanya, with prices for flights and accommodations dropping to their lowest points throughout the year.
Recommended Accommodation Areas
Sanya is home to four bays, from west to east: Sanya Bay, Dadonghai, Yalong Bay, and Haitang Bay. Most of Sanya’s hotels are concentrated in these four bays, so it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of each before choosing your accommodation.
1.Sanya Bay
Pros: Located in the city center of Sanya, there are many beautiful and affordable family inns with sea views. Public transportation to various attractions is very convenient, and it’s close to many food hotspots. Staying here is the most budget-friendly option, and the sunsets here are the most stunning in all of Sanya. (Note: This area is close to the First Market, making it a top choice for food lovers.)
Cons: The water quality is average, and it can be crowded.
2.Dadonghai
Surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on one side, Dadonghai was developed early on. The hotels here are older and lack both price and scenery advantages compared to the other bays.
3.Yalong Bay
Pros: Boasts the best water and beach quality, making it the most suitable bay for swimming. The hotel facilities are excellent, and it’s a beautiful spot for photography. Public transportation is relatively convenient.
Cons: Room rates are high, with beachfront hotels (where you can step out directly onto the beach) costing nearly 1,000 CNY or more per night. Second-line sea view hotels (where you need to take an electric shuttle to reach the beach) cost around 500 CNY but are not considered good value for money. Additionally, it can be crowded and less relaxing.
4.Haitang Bay
Pros: The water quality is second only to Yalong Bay. It’s less crowded and quieter, making it suitable for couples and family vacations. The hotels here offer better value for money compared to Yalong Bay. (This area has become a national coast and is currently a key development area in Sanya, with more super five-star hotels expected to open in the future.)
Cons: It’s the farthest from Sanya city center, and public transportation is not very convenient. The waves are relatively strong, making it less suitable for swimming.
Recommended Tourist Attractions
1.Tianya Haijiao
- 📍 Western suburb of Sanya City
- 🕐 07:00—18:30
- 🎫 Free admission, but you need to reserve tickets through the Tianya Haijiao Tourist Area’s WeChat official account (reservations must be made 15 minutes in advance)
For those traveling to Hainan, Tianya Haijiao, located about 23 kilometers from Sanya city center, is a must-visit attraction. Not visiting Tianya Haijiao when in Hainan is like not visiting the Bund when in Shanghai. Many people consider Tianya Haijiao synonymous with Hainan Island, and not going there is equivalent to not having visited Hainan at all.
At this place, which symbolizes “the end of the earth and the corner of the sea,” you can witness the magnificent scenery of both sunrise and sunset. The sea breeze gently caresses your face, allowing your soul to merge with the ocean.
Here, you can admire two giant rocks engraved with the characters “Tianya” and “Haijiao,” which have long been regarded as symbols of love and are one of Sanya’s iconic landmarks.
You can also experience various exciting activities, such as the Deep Sea Secret Realm Light and Shadow Gallery, Tianya Leaping, Rainbow Go-Karts, and more, allowing you to enjoy thrills and fun while taking in the scenery.
2.Yalong Bay Beach
- 📍 Yalong Bay, Jiyang District, Sanya City
- 🕐 07:30-18:00
- Note: It’s best to visit the beach on a sunny day for better photos and overall experience.
Yalong Bay is a bay that combines the elements of ocean, beach, air, sunshine, and greenery. It is renowned for its flat and wide beach, white and fine sand, and crystal-clear water, earning it the title of “the world’s number one bay.”
Legend has it that long ago, the eldest of the seven fairy sisters in heaven was particularly fond of this place and secretly descended to the mortal world alone. A Li ethnic young man who was fishing in the bay saw her and, noticing her beauty and unique attire, asked about her origins out of curiosity. She only said that she had drifted from a faraway place and, finding the area beautiful, didn’t want to leave.
3.Daxiao Dongtian Tourist Area
- 📍 Yazhou District, Sanya City
- 🕐 08:30-19:30
- 🚖 A taxi ride is quite far, estimated at 80-100 CNY; alternatively, take bus route 30; self-driving and car rental are more convenient options
- 🎫 Free admission
The most picturesque spot for photography in Daxiao Dongtian is the Sky Gate at the entrance, which has a strong Balinese vibe. However, there is a fee for taking photos. Right next to the Sky Gate is a row of spots perfect for wedding photography, which also require a fee. When the weather is good, the photos turn out beautiful.
In the Sanya Daxiao Dongtian Tourist Area, there are three 110-meter-long slides that extend from the mountain all the way to the sea. The wave-shaped slides have an overall drop of 20 meters.
All you need to do is sit in a rubber boat, lie down, and I can push you down with a flick of my hand~ It’ll feel like you’re racing through a rainbow, experiencing the thrill of speed and excitement! The wind will be whistling in your ears, and there will be a breeze beneath your buttocks~ This is much more exciting than the slides we played on as kids~
4.Coconut Dream Corridor
- 📍 Coconut Dream Corridor, Sanya City
- 🕐 08:00-18:00
- 🎫 Free admission
- 🚖 Bus routes 8/26/27/32/57
- Note: The sunset time at Coconut Dream Corridor is generally around 6:30, but please refer to the specific time, which can be checked on your phone.
The biggest feature of this place is that it borders the port to the east. In the evening, you can go to the beach and watch the beautiful sunset glow. At sunset, the sky is filled with red clouds, and you can hear the rhythmic shouts of the fishermen as they vigorously pull the nets.
You can see dozens of people working hard to pull the nets, allowing you to experience the authentic life of a fishing family. The fishermen’s nets are hundreds of meters long, and it takes two to three hours to pull them in. They pull the nets in the afternoon and can only bring them up around 8 pm.
Visiting Coconut Dream Corridor in the evening is the most romantic thing to do. “Sanya Bay Sunset,” “Coastal Botanical Landscape,” “Sea Moon Square,” “Luxury Hotels and High-end Villa Area,” and “Sanya Bay Night View” are all scenes you can capture.
5.Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone
- 📍 Yacheng Town, Yazhou District, Sanya City
- 🕐 08:00-17:00
- 🎫 Off-season price: 108 CNY/person, half-price for children between 1.2-1.4 meters tall, free for seniors over 70 years old and children under 1.2 meters.
- 🚖 Bus routes 16, 25, 57, etc., can directly reach the scenic spot.
Sanya Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone is one of the first national 5A tourist attractions and a key national scenic spot. The scenic area boasts beautiful scenery and integrates Buddhist culture, longevity culture, ecological culture, intangible cultural heritage, folk customs, historical legends, and garden construction. It is the largest and most well-constructed Buddhist-themed scenic spot in Hainan.
Recommended tour route: Unique Dharma Gate – Golden Jade Guanyin – South China Sea Guanyin – Longevity Valley – Bodhi Tree – Nanshan Temple – Nanshan Temple Seaside – Thirty-three Guanyin Hall – Cihang Pudu Garden – Unique Dharma Gate
6.Wuzhizhou Island
- 📍 Inside Haitang Bay, Sanya City
- 🕐 08:00-16:00
- 🎫 140 CNY/person
- Take a 20-minute boat ride to the island (if you get seasick, it’s recommended to take some seasickness medication)
- Yellow electric sightseeing car: 138 CNY/person for an island tour (you can get on and off at each scenic spot, and it’s a must-take as these scenic spots are inaccessible otherwise)
- Boat schedule: 8:00-18:30, last entry at 16:00, boat ride takes about 30 minutes, last boat returns at 18:30.
Wuzhizhou Island is located within the Haitang Bay scenic area in Hainan. It is a vacation paradise that quietly blooms behind the beautiful scenery of Haitang Bay. Some people have called it the Maldives of China, while more people consider it a heaven for escaping from the world with their loved ones, as it has a more romantic and catchy name: “Lovers’ Island.”
Wuzhizhou Island is known as a “diving base.” The surrounding waters are crystal clear, with a visibility of 6-27 meters. The waters are rich in night-glowing conch, sea cucumber, lobster, cobia, sea urchin, pomfret, and colorful tropical fish. The southern waters have well-protected coral reefs. It is one of the few islands in the world without mixed reef rocks or pebbles. It is a domestic diving base, offering a vast and boundless view of the sea and sky merging into one.
7.Houhai Village
- 📍 Inside Haitang Bay, Sanya City
- 🕐 All day
- 🎫 Free admission
- 🚖 Bus routes 28/Haitang 3
Houhai Village, also known as Tenghai Fishing Village, is located at the southern end of Haitang Bay. Houhai Village has two sides facing the sea: one is Queen’s Bay, and the other is the fishing village pier. In addition to the fishing village atmosphere, Houhai Village also offers the excitement of surfing. It is a veritable surfing paradise, with small waves suitable for beginners. It is a great place to empty your mind. Many people often say that coming to Houhai allows them to escape from the city and get away from the rat race. Even if you choose to lie flat, you won’t have any psychological burden.
Don’t miss this place if you want to visit unique tropical-style vintage shops and eat special snacks.
8.West Island
- 📍 Tianya District, Sanya City
- 🕐 8:00-17:30
- 🎫 95 CNY
- 🚖 ① Public bus: Take bus routes 16/25/26/30/32/55/57 and get off at West Island Station; ② Self-driving/Taxi: West Island Xiaoqi Port Pier (Sanya West Island Marine Culture Tourism Area Parking Lot), free parking available.
Sanya West Island, also known as Dazhou Island, is officially named Ximaozhou Island. It stands in the South China Sea, facing Dongmao Island not far away. The two islands are also known as “Bofu Shuangdai.” They guard the throat of Sanya’s maritime traffic and are called “the two eyes of the South China Sea outpost.”
At first glance, West Island is immersed in clouds and mist, as if it were a fairy island floating on the sea. It wasn’t until 2017 that West Island Fishing Village officially opened to the public and made its debut to the world.
9.Yazhou Ancient City
- 📍 Yazhou Town, Sanya City
- 🕐 All day
- 🎫 Free
- 🚖 Bus routes 8/27
Yazhou Ancient City is the southernmost ancient city in China, with a history of over a thousand years. It was the administrative institution set up in ancient times for the management of Hainan Island by China.
Before the Song Dynasty, it was just an earthen city. After the expansion during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it gradually became a solid city. Unfortunately, after hundreds of years of history, only the south gate of the ancient city remains.
Today, this old street with cement-paved arcade buildings is no longer prosperous, and many of the arcade buildings have become dilapidated. Fortunately, the government has realized this and is planning to protect and construct this ancient city, which has been listed in the “National Cultural Famous Town” directory, while also embarking on a path of cultural tourism integration and development.
10.Sanya Romance Park
- 📍 Yazhou Town, Sanya City
- 🕐 7:00-21:00
- 🎫 260 CNY
- 🚖 Take public bus routes 1, 7, 9, or 23 within Sanya City and get off at Sanya Romance Park Station.
Every city has its own history and stories. If there’s one place that can quickly introduce Sanya to first-time visitors, it must be the Sanya Romance Park.
Sanya Romance Park is a theme park that combines culture, entertainment, and leisure. It is located at No. 333, Yingbin Road, Jiyang District, Sanya City, Hainan Province, China. It is known for its unique cultural performances and rich interactive experiences.
Recommended Tourist Attractions
Double Flying Fish Pot
The Double Flying Fish Pot is made by putting various secret sauces and fresh ingredients into a clay pot, covering it with processed double flying fish, and topping it with a layer of homemade braised pork.
Then, pour selected special bean paste and stew for 20 minutes. When serving, sprinkle with chopped green onions. A bowl of Double Flying Fish Pot with sweet and delicate soup and tender and smooth texture is ready. When you lift the lid, the hot steam and fragrance instantly fill the entire room.
Barley and Coconut Chicken Soup
Tianwan barley benefits from its unique planting conditions, with high quality and good taste. The “Tianwan Barley Secret Recipe” is unforgettable for those who have tried it. Among them, the “Barley and Coconut Chicken Soup” is the most classic.
The sweet coconut water balances the greasiness of the chicken oil, and the barley juice increases the thickness of the chicken soup. Drinking a bowl is refreshing and nourishing, with a rich and fragrant soup filling your mouth. Paired with tender chicken meat, it’s another day of being healed by delicious food.
Coconut Chicken
Chicken is the character, and coconut is the skeleton. The combination of the two forms the unique charm of this city. For Sanya people, whether it’s a sunny day or a rainy day, eating hotpot is always an exhilarating and refreshing experience.
The reason why Sanya people love to eat coconut chicken is not only because of its healthy and delicious taste but also because it can seamlessly combine the elements of their hometown and create a new urban food style. Whenever people mention coconut chicken, they will imagine a scene of being under the coconut trees on an island, with the fresh sea breeze blowing.
Hele Crab
This delicacy can be found in coastal areas, but what sets Sanya apart is the crab roe, which tastes much better. Sanya’s crab roe is full and fat, a very rare crab species, especially the roe here, which is golden and shiny, like salted egg yolk, and has a very high nutritional value.
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