Sanya City, formerly known as \"Yazhou\", is located at the southernmost tip of Hainan Island, China. As China's only tropical coastal tourist city, Sanya enjoys the reputation of \"Oriental Hawaii\" for its bright sunshine, clear blue waters, white sandy beaches, and swaying coconut groves. It is a holiday paradise far from the cold, and a romantic place full of tropical charm.
Sanya is situated at the \"Tianya Haijiao\" (End of the Earth) of China's land map, boasting a long and beautiful coastline with several renowned bays such as Yalong Bay, Haitang Bay, and Dadonghai. Its climate is tropical oceanic monsoon, hot all year round with no distinct winter, only dry and rainy seasons. Excellent air quality and ecological environment are the city's most valuable assets.
Sanya's charm revolves entirely around the ocean. Yalong Bay is praised as the \"First Bay Under Heaven,\" with fine sand and crystal-clear waters, making it a gathering place for top-tier resort hotels. The \"Tianya Haijiao\" Scenic Area, with its romantic legends and iconic reefs, has become a sacred place of love for countless people. The Nanshan Sea Guanyin Statue, standing 108 meters tall above the South China Sea, is solemn and majestic, serving as Sanya's cultural landmark for Buddhist worship and blessings.
Sanya's lifestyle is synonymous with \"vacation.\" The pace here is leisurely, and the atmosphere is relaxed. In addition to tourists from all over the country, local Li and Miao ethnic minority cultures also add unique charm to the city. In Sanya, the most enjoyable things are indulging in a rich and authentic seafood feast, or savoring a leisurely afternoon amidst the sweetness of tropical fruits.
As one of the core cities in the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port, Sanya is moving towards the goal of becoming an international tourism consumption center. Its thriving duty-free shopping industry attracts a large number of tourists for consumption. The city is continuously improving its tourism facilities and services, striving to build a world-class tropical coastal resort integrating sightseeing, leisure, wellness, and shopping.
What is there to do in Sanya China?
The best time to visit Sanya is from October to April of the following year.
This period is Sanya's dry season, with mild and dry climate and abundant sunshine, making it ideal for beach activities, water sports, and outdoor exploration.
It is advisable to avoid the rainy season from May to September, when the weather is hot and humid, and it is also a high-risk period for typhoons. Additionally, during the Spring Festival and National Day Golden Week, tourist numbers are high and prices increase, so it's recommended to avoid these peak travel periods.
During Emperor Wu of Han's reign, Zhuyai Commandery and Dan'er Commandery were established on Hainan Island, marking the formal jurisdiction of the central government over Hainan. The Sanya area was then part of Xiang Commandery.
During and after the Tang Dynasty, Yazhou became a place of exile for deposed officials, known as "Tianya Haijiao" (End of the Earth). Famous chancellor Li Deyu and eminent monk Jianzhen, among others, left their marks here.
Hainan became a province and an economic special zone. Sanya, as China's only tropical coastal city, began large-scale tourism development and gradually grew into an internationally renowned tourist destination.
The "Overall Plan for the Construction of Hainan Free Trade Port" was released. Sanya, as a key development area, embraced new development opportunities in fields such as duty-free shopping, tourism, and modern service industries.
Explore Sanya's rich intangible cultural heritage and learn about traditional crafts and cultural essence
2009-09Included
The traditional Li textile, dyeing, weaving, and embroidery techniques are a type of textile art created by Li women in Hainan Province, China. It integrates spinning, dyeing, weaving, and embroidery, featuring exquisite materials, vibrant colors, and rustic patterns. In 2009, it was inscribed by UNESCO on the first list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, making it Hainan's most representative world-class cultural heritage.
Transportation you must know when visiting Sanya
Sanya Phoenix International Airport is the main aviation hub in southern Hainan. The airport has a high-speed rail station, allowing for convenient transfers to the Hainan Island Ring High-speed Rail.
Airport shuttle bus routes cover major bays and urban areas, with fares ranging from 15-25 Yuan.
The Hainan Island Ring High-speed Rail has major stations in Sanya, including Sanya Station and Yalong Bay Station.
Taking the high-speed rail from Haikou can reach Sanya in as little as 1.5 hours.
Sanya's public bus system covers the entire city and major tourist attractions, with over 60 operational routes.
Fares are mostly based on a segmented charging system, ranging from 2-18 Yuan, and support QR code payment.
Several tourist special line buses also operate within the city, providing convenient direct access to major scenic spots for visitors.
Sanya's taxi starting fare is 11 Yuan (within 2.5 kilometers), followed by 2.4 Yuan per kilometer.
During peak tourist season or rush hours, ride-hailing services might require waiting in line; it's advisable to book in advance.
As a coastal city, Sanya offers ferry services to surrounding islands.
From Houhai Wharf or Wuzhizhou Island Wharf, you can take a boat to Wuzhizhou Island, an essential mode of transport for experiencing island charm.
Shared bike services are available in Sanya city center and along major bays, making them an excellent way for short trips to attractions like "Coconut Dream Corridor" (Yemeng Changlang).
The average cost is approximately 1.5 Yuan/30 minutes.
What to eat in Sanya, you need to know
Wenchang Chicken
One of the four famous dishes of Hainan; the chicken skin is smooth and tender, the meat is fresh and delicate, usually served with a dipping sauce made from garlic, ginger, and tangerine juice; the taste is light and delicious.
Hele Crab
One of the four famous dishes of Hainan; known for its rich, golden, and oily roe; steaming best preserves its original flavor.
Qingbuliang
A specialty dessert from Hainan, refreshing and thirst-quenching; rich in ingredients with diverse textures; available with coconut milk or sugar water as a base.
Baoluo Noodles
A famous noodle snack from Hainan; known for its rich and savory broth and soft, smooth noodles; available in two styles: soup noodles and "marinated" (dry mixed) noodles.