Sanya

Asia

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China

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Sanya

Known as the "Hawaii of China," Sanya is located at the southern tip of Hainan Island. It is the only city in China with views of tropical rainforests and the sea. Many hills also serve as prime spots to overlook the city. Moreover, its clear seawater with high visibility and moderate temperature makes it suitable for swimming year-round.

For most tourists, Sanya is a famous resort with the best mountains, rivers, and sea views. Here, you can enjoy unique tropical sea views that are very different from other provinces in China. Sanya Bay, Dadonghai, Haitang Bay, and Yalong Bay are all Sanya's golden coastlines, making them the first choices for tourists.

If you like exciting water activities, Wuzhizhou Island is the best place to challenge the mysterious and ever-changing sea. There are more than 20 ethnic groups inhabiting the area, such as Han, Li, Miao, and Hui. It is a suitable spot to learn about various Chinese cultures, including the Binglanggu Li & Miao Cultural Heritage Park and the Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone.

Local shopping centers are available near tourist destinations, such as Dadonghai and Tianya Haijiao. In the downtown area, the shopping district is the pedestrian business street, such as Jiefang Road and Hongqi Street.

Get to Know Sanya

Take a tour of this destination's highlights

Travel Tips for Sanya

What you need to know before traveling here

Getting Around Sanya

A guide to Sanya's local transportation

Bus

Taxi

Car Rental

Bicycle Rental

Buses are available to almost every area and tourist attraction in Sanya. The main route is from Dadonghai to the Civil Aviation Stop. The ticket prices range from 1-4 Yuan (about Rp2,000 to Rp9,000) depending on the destination.

Meanwhile, Bus Number 2 and Number 4 can take you to Dadonghai via the Main Bus Terminal and First Market with a fare of around 1 Yuan (Rp2,000). Bus Number 104 can take you to Tianya Haijiao, Nanshan, and Yazhou Ancient City. The fare for a full set is about 6 Yuan (Rp13,000).

Mini-buses for sightseeing depart from the West Bus Terminal to Asian Dragon Bay, Tianya Haijiao, and Nanshan. Taihe Bus will take you to Asian Dragon Bay via Dadonghai and Tiandu every 30 minutes. Meanwhile, Buses to Tianya Haijiao and Nanshan operate every 15 minutes and charge about 4 Yuan (Rp9,000) per person.

You can also take a double-decker sightseeing bus to varied places departing every 10 minutes from Asian Dragon Bay around 07:15 via Dadonghai, Sanya Bay, and Hawksbill Island to Tianya Haijiao. The latest departure for the sightseeing bus is at 19:00. The special tour bus will take about 70 minutes for the entire journey with a cost of about 8 Yuan (Rp17,000).

Things to prepare and best way to visit

When is the best time to visit Sanya?

The best time to visit Sanya is from October to April. These months are the busiest and most crowded season in Sanya, while the less crowded season is from May to September.

What are the famous tourist destinations in Sanya?

Some famous tourist destinations in Sanya include Wuzhizhou Island, Yalong Bay, Sanya Fish Market, Tianya Haijiao, Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone, Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone, Sanya Bay, Boundary Island, Luhuitou Peninsula, and Dadonghai Beach.

How to get to Sanya?

Phoenix International Airport can be reached by domestic flights from various major cities, such as Beijing (4.5 hours), Shanghai (3.5 hours), Xi'an (3 hours), Guangzhou (2 hours), Chengdu (2.5 hours), Chongqing (2.5 hours), Nanjing (3 hours), Kunming (2 hours), Wuhan (2.5 hours), and others. Additionally, there are international flight routes to Sanya from several countries such as London, Singapore, Seoul, Jakarta, Moscow, and others. Other transportation options to Sanya include long-distance buses from Haikou or high-speed trains from Beijing or Guangzhou.

What are the must-try local foods in Sanya?

Abalone, sea cucumber, and hairy crab are three types of local seafood offered in Sanya. Other foods served in restaurants across Sanya are shrimp, crab, fresh fish, conch, and other exotic foods.

What can be done in Sanya?

Sanya has many beautiful sandy beaches, such as Dadonghai Beach and Yalong Bay. Natural attractions like Wuzhizhou Island, Tianya Haijiao, Sanya Bay, Boundary Island, and Luhuitou Peninsula also offer exciting Sanya travel experiences. Meanwhile, the Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone is the largest area showcasing Buddhist culture in China.