Sanya travel guide
China's own Maldives — endless summer on the South China Sea
Plan your visit
Recommended stay4–5 days
Getting there3–5 hours direct flight from Beijing or Shanghai to Sanya Phoenix airport.
Good to knowYalong Bay and Haitang Bay are far apart — factor in transfer time.
Sanya is China's tropical south — Hainan Island's resort bay of white sand, coconut palms and 25–30°C water. Duty-free malls, Russian and domestic winter crowds, and the country's clearest dive sites make it the December escape of choice.
Top sights
- Yalong Bay — The crescent beach with the calmest, clearest water — best swimming and the top-end hotels.
- Wuzhizhou Island — Offshore island with glass-bottom boats, snorkeling over coral and jungle boardwalks.
- Nanshan Temple — The 108-metre Guanyin statue on the sea and a large Buddhist park 40 minutes west.
- Dadonghai — The casual city beach — sunset, beach bars and the budget-stay zone.
- Luhuitou Park — Hilltop lookout over the bay and city lights — the classic sunset spot.
Suggested itinerary
- Bay Explorer. Yalong Bay snorkeling, Dadonghai beach lunch, sunset drinks at Sanya Bay
- Cultural Coast. Nanshan Temple and Guan Yin statue, Tianya Haijiao boulders, local seafood dinner
- Island Adventure. Wuzhizhou Island diving, coral reef exploration, tropical fruit market visit
Budget reference
LodgingDadonghai mid-range ¥300–600; Yalong Bay resorts ¥800–2500 in season.
FoodSeafood by weight at First Market ¥100–180 per person with processing stalls; Hainan chicken rice ¥25–40.
Local transportBuses ¥2–10 along the coast; taxis metered but confirm before long rides.
TicketsWuzhizhou ¥144 including ferry, Nanshan ¥108–129, Luhuitou ¥45.
Where to stay
Yalong Bay for resorts and swimming; Dadonghai for budget and nightlife; Haitang Bay for quiet and the mall.
Good to know
- Buy seafood downstairs, pay a processing stall upstairs to cook it — the First Market ritual; agree weights and prices first.
- Winter (Nov–Feb) is peak: book beaches stays weeks ahead; typhoon risk runs June–September.
- Island ferries stop by mid-afternoon — start Wuzhizhou day before 10am.
Explore
Sanya travel guide