Sanya (Yalong Bay)

Overview

At the southern tip of Hainan Island, Sanya is China's premier beach destination: the white sand and turquoise water of Yalong Bay, the sunsets of Sanya Bay, diving off Wuzhizhou Island, big resorts and duty-free shopping. It's a warm winter escape when the rest of China freezes.

History

Once a remote southern outpost known poetically as 'the edge of the sky, the corner of the sea' (Tianya Haijiao), Sanya transformed into a tropical resort city and a powerhouse of Chinese domestic tourism, especially in winter.

Culture & religion

Sanya is China's 'Hawaii' — where domestic travellers come for sun and sea. Inland live the Li and Miao peoples, and the famous Tianya Haijiao rocks were long romanticised in poetry as the farthest edge of the empire, a place of exile and of the horizon.

What to see

• Yalong Bay (亚龙湾)

  The signature crescent of white sand and clear water, lined with resorts.

• Nanshan & the sea Guanyin (南山海上观音)

  A Buddhist culture park with a 108 m statue of Guanyin standing out over the sea.

• Tianya Haijiao (天涯海角)

  The 'edge of the world' rocks — a classic Chinese romantic and poetic landmark, lovely at sunset.

• Wuzhizhou Island (蜈支洲岛)

  Clear water for snorkelling, diving and watersports off a small offshore island.

Visiting

This is beach-and-resort relaxation. Best October–April (warm, dry); book resorts ahead for the winter peak, and watch for typhoon season in summer–autumn. Plan several days.

Tickets

Beaches are mostly free; Nanshan ~¥120 and Wuzhizhou Island ~¥140 charge entry (approximate — confirm officially).

Opening hours

Beaches open all day; culture parks run roughly 08:00–18:00.

Suggested route

Yalong Bay beach days → Nanshan & the sea Guanyin → Tianya Haijiao at sunset → a day trip to Wuzhizhou Island. Several days.

Suggested routes

• 1. Beach + highlights

  Several daysaround the city

  Mix Yalong Bay beach time with Nanshan, Tianya Haijiao and a Wuzhizhou Island day trip.

Points of interest

• 1

  Yalong Bay · 亚龙湾

  The signature beach.

• 2

  Tianya Haijiao · 天涯海角

  'Edge of the world' rocks.

• 3

  Nanshan sea Guanyin · 南山海上观音

  108 m Guanyin over the sea.

• 4

  Wuzhizhou Island · 蜈支洲岛

  Diving & snorkelling.

Getting there

Sanya has an airport and is on Hainan's loop high-speed rail; taxis and buses reach the bays.