Sanya

Known as Hawaii of China, Sanya is a tropical island escape for visitors from within as well as outside of China. Located on the southernmost tip of Hainan Island in the South China Sea, Sanya is a beautiful tourist hub with almost 50km of coastline. It is well-known for its pristine white sand beaches, warm temperatures, clear blue sea, abundant seafood, and fascinating local culture in Asia. Sanya is also known as Samah, meaning "three Asias." Due to its geographical remoteness and distance to political centers of China, in the past, it has also been called Tianya Haijiao, which means "the end of the sky and ocean" or "the end of the earth."

Widely known for its year-round tropical climate, Sanya has emerged in recent decades as a popular tourist destination with world-class resorts and attractions to match. Whether you are looking for some pampering in five-star hotels, filling your day with adventures like scuba diving or zip lining, or perhaps finding some quality family fun in amusement parks and butterfly valleys, Sanya has it all. 

Sanya’s main claim to fame is its numerous top-rated white sandy beaches. There is a perfect beach for you depending on what you are looking for: few crowds, water sports, best swimming conditions, or luxury or affordable hotels nearby. The most famous local beaches include Yalong Bay for the softest sands and cleanest sea in Sanya, Sanya Bay Beach for its 25 km stretch of public beach, and Dadonghai Beach for its gorgeous setting.

Of course, Sanya and Hainan island as a whole are not just about beaches. There is a wide range of cultural, natural, and religious sites to explore too. Most significantly is the Guanyin of Nanshan, the world's highest Buddhist statue standing tall at 108 meters (354 feet) near the Nanshan Temple of Sanya. Nanwan Monkey Island is a great place to see the endangered macaques in their natural habitat. Binlang Ethnic Village is designed to showcase the unique and intangible cultural heritage of Li and Miao minority groups. 

In terms of transportation in Sanya and around Hainan island, there are plenty of options from train to car to bus. Visitors can fly into Sanya Phoenix International Airport, which is about 15 km outside Sanya city center. Alternatively, Sanya can be reached directly by train from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

How to plan a trip to Sanya?

With its beautiful beaches, cultural parks, all-inclusive luxury resorts, and many other significant attractions, Sanya is fast becoming one of the most desirable vacation destinations in China and Asia. Over the past two decades, Sanya city is also developing into a flourishing and sophisticated tourist center. For first-time travelers to the region, go beyond the beaches and resorts, immerse yourself in Sanya and Hainan island’s unique local culture, delicious local cuisine, and of course, don’t forget its many popular shopping zones. Sanya's favorite local products include shells, pearls, seafood, spices, tropical fruit, coconut, and tropical clothing.

Not sure when to go? September to April are the best times to visit, but Sanya has comfortable weather conditions all year round. Even for the height of summer, the average temperature in June is around 28 ℃ (82 °F). If you don’t mind hot weather or possible monsoonal rain in the summer, this is a good season to save some money with low flight rates and hotel tariffs.

Reaching Sanya is easy. Visitors can fly into Sanya Pheonix International airport, which operates flights connecting 63 cities, including 23 international cities. There are train services between Sanya and Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Getting around the city is convenient via busses and trams. In addition to regular taxis, there are lots of motorcycle and sidecar taxis available too.

For first-time visitors who prefer their creature comforts when traveling, there have been significant improvements in Sanya's hotel infrastructure, so international hotel chains are easily found on the island. While shopping, it is important to remember not to buy corals or natural tortoise shells as souvenirs as it is against the law, and you will not be allowed to carry them out of the country.