Sanya Travel Guide

I've been in Sanya for six days and here are my honest recommendations based on personal experience|||1: If it's your first time in Sanya, don't plan your itinerary too full. Visiting 2-3 attractions a day is enough, otherwise it's too tiring! 2: Choose either Yalong Bay Paradise Forest Park or Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone; West Island or Wuzhizhou Island, they are similar. 3: Don't bring too much luggage to the duty-free shop. If you do, don't keep carrying it around. There's a free luggage storage on the 3rd floor of Area A in the duty-free shop. It's recommended to store your luggage first for a more relaxed shopping experience. 4: If you want to try diving and sea activities, I recommend going to Yalong Bay. There's a package for 598 yuan, which I personally tried. It's a great value for money, including private car transfer, seafood lunch, and unlimited photos. 5: Learn to bargain when letting wild photographers take pictures on the beach, you might get an unexpected price. 6: I don't recommend diving in Wuzhizhou Island. During the peak season, you have to queue for an hour for a 10-minute experience. It's not recommended to play the projects, they are expensive. Just take some pictures and check in is enough. 7: Don't go diving/sea activities in Dadonghai, the water quality there is the worst. It's recommended to go to Yalong Bay, the water quality is very good. 8: Don't rent a small electric donkey to check in at the attractions just to save money. It's super sunny and tiring. Try to choose bus + car rental for check-in, especially in summer, avoiding heat and sun protection is the first priority. 9: Don't go to the toilet alone, and don't pay attention to people who take the initiative to talk to you, especially girls. 10: If you get seasick, don't rent a boat to go out to sea. If you go to Wuzhizhou, take seasickness medicine half an hour in advance, because it takes 30 minutes by boat to really get to Wuzhizhou Island. 11: Haichang Fantasy City only opens at 4 pm. The main attraction is the Ferris wheel at night. It's worth a try, especially for couples! Must go! 12: Don't rely on taxis for the whole journey. The attractions in Sanya are scattered. Pure taxi expenses are huge. It's more recommended to choose a combination of taxi + bus + bus. Moderate choice of self-driving. 13: Don't take a black car near the airport! At least they will slaughter you 30+ 14: Don't just ask passers-by for directions, most likely they are also tourists. Try to ask the shop owners on the street for directions. If you're shy, you can buy something. 15: Wear sports shoes/white shoes/anything is fine when going out. Wear slippers when going to the beach. Don't wear high heels, they're uncomfortable for your feet and you can't play in the water at any time. 16: Don't rent a small electric donkey to go to Coconut Dream Corridor during the day. It's too sunny and stuffy. You need to wear a helmet. It's best to go to Coconut Dream Corridor for a ride + sunset photos at 6-7 pm. Don't go too early. 17: Don't take a taxi to the duty-free shop. The location of Haitang Bay Duty Free Shop is very biased. The round trip taxi fare is 200+. You need to book a duty-free shop bus at the front desk of the cooperative hotel one day in advance. The round trip is free. 18: I personally don't recommend going to Sanya Romance Park. The tickets are expensive and not worth a second visit. You might as well go to Atlantis Water World, an ocean-themed amusement park! It's more fun than Sanya Romance Park. 19: Dadonghai is located in the city area, with convenient transportation + moderate prices + many check-in attractions, more suitable for students + budget travelers. 20: Yalong Bay has the best water quality, many sea view rooms and high cost performance, but the price is much higher than Sanya Bay and Dadonghai. I hope this can help sisters who come to play in Sanya👭

3 Days in Sanya

Nestled on the southern coast of Hainan Island, Sanya offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and modern amenities, making it an ideal destination for a memorable getaway. Here is a three-day travel guide. Day 1: Begin your adventure by immersing yourself in the beauty of Yalong Bay. Spend the morning basking in the sun on its pristine beaches or diving into the crystal-clear waters. Explore the Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park in the afternoon, where you can hike scenic trails and enjoy breathtaking views of the bay. Day 2: Embark on a day trip to Wuzhizhou Island, a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Dive into the vibrant coral reefs, snorkel with tropical fish, or simply relax on the picturesque beaches. Continue your exploration by visiting the Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone, where you can trek through lush rainforests and learn about the local Li and Miao ethnic cultures. Day 3: Discover the charm of Dadonghai Bay, another stunning beach destination. Enjoy a morning of sunbathing, swimming, or trying out thrilling water sports. In the afternoon, explore the Sanya Romance Park, a theme park that showcases the cultural heritage of Hainan Island through captivating performances and interactive exhibits. End your journey by visiting the Binglanggu Li & Miao Cultural Heritage Park, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions of the Li and Miao ethnic groups. Cr: @指尖的痣

Yalong Bay, Sanya 🌴☀️

China has some amazing beach escapes and some islands which are comparable to Southeast Asia, one of which is Hainan🌻☀️ Yalong Bay is a popular bay in Sanya, Hainan which is known for its tourist hotspots and amazing beaches! Stay in beautiful resorts such as The Hilton or The Pullman and enjoy private beaches and good vibes✨⭐️ this is a great beach vacation in China!🌼🌻 #summervacation #beachlife #awesomepic #chinatravel #china #urbanexplorer

YALONG BAY 🌊 the perfect dose of vitamin Sea

Just got my dose of Vitamin SEA 🌊 Known for its clean clear water ✨, Yalong Bay is the perfect place to unwind and relax! ☀️ Getting There - 45-1h from the airport Attractions - the 🌊 sea and some restaurants surrounds the water Shopping - massive duty free mall across from the beach 🏝️ #passionpassport #bucketlistreboot #tripblazers #yearofrabbit #newyearadventure #beachlife #mytripvlog #2023travelwish

The blue beauty of Yalong Bay

Yalong bay is a lovely beach area that is not too busy. One can get a bench to lay on and enjoy the sound of the waves crashing. There is also a lovely area to swim in. The water was nice and warm and the waves rather calm. There is a grass area above where one can take some nice photos. Across the road is a mall one can get lunch at or a coffee. This is a great beach to spend some time at. It is a bit of a drive to get there but it’s totally worth it. #passionpassport #beachlife #2023travelwish

yalong bay beach- Sanya

it was a bit crowded (expected) and the attractions were too expensive I think. there were food stands everywhere so food shouldn’t be a problem. it was a beautiful day but there wasn’t much to do. #yearofrabbit #newyearadventure #tripblazers #beachlife

PUBLIC SUNNY 🌞 BEACHSIDE 🏖️

#newyearadventure Spending time at the beach is always fun . If you’re traveling to Sanya and you have no idea where to start . Add Yalong Bay beach to your Sanya to do list . It is a perfect place for relaxing . You can also try some water activities although you have to pay a certain fee for it .It can be a little crowded during holidays . There’s a mall nearby so you don’t have to worry about where to get a decent meal after your beach 🏝️ day ! #awesomepic #tripblazers #beachlife #yearofrabbit

Fantasy Getaway at Yi Sela Homestay (Sanya)

Getting There - It is located in Yalong Bay which was a 30-40 minute ride from the airport. The didi ride costed roughly 70 yuan. Attractions - It is in a central location and is within walking distance from the famous attractions and sights. Taxi rides are also an option and they are relatively cheap. I opted to rent a bike for 80 yuan per day. Description: I had the pleasure of staying at the Yi sela Homestay (Yalong Bay branch). It was one of the most mesmerizing getaways that I have experienced thus far. The service is very good and the hotel is reasonably priced. They provide a traditional Chinese breakfast which tastes fairly good. The rooms are clean, the size is good and not to mention the entire hotel is aesthetically pleasing. It is a great spot for the perfect photoshoot. Thanks to the amazing photographer who managed to capture me in all my essence. The location of this gem is a stone’s throw away from all the exciting spots in Yalong bay. You may walk, take taxi or rent a bike/car. I would definitely recommend this hotel if you’re visiting Sanya. #urbantraveller #yalongbay #sanya #yisela #homestay

BEACH 🏝️ BUBBLE PARTY 🫧

#newyearadventure A little bit of party in the sun never hurt no one haha 😛.When traveling to Sanya consider going to Sheraton hotel beach side with your travel buddies . We were just chilling there with my friends but we ended up experiencing a bubble party . We were the only adults dancing around the bubbles the rest were kids 😂but hear me out we’re kids at heart so we enjoyed the kids’ company . I’m a 💯 sure that they enjoyed ours as well 😝(i could tell from their giggles 🤭). These pictures were captured at Sheraton hotel beach side . This particular Sheraton hotel is located in Yalong Bay Sanya Hainan .

Keep Warm in Winter, Visit Sanya

#celebratewithtrip Want a respite from the cold in China? Visiting Sanya in Hainan is definitely a must! There a lots of watersports that you can do here. You can even rent a yatch! The cooling weather in winter means you still can enjoy sun basking in the beach. Sanya also offers a wide range of hotels and accomodation. Don’t forget to try local delicacies such as coconut chicken!

Princess Palace Villas Yalong bay

The Princess palace villas located in the serene and quiet Yalong bay is a place to visit if you enjoy the view of mountains. There are a lot of resorts, tourist attractions and hotels around the area . The place has beautiful buildings and the streets are lined with beautiful trees . #sanya #mytripvlog #yalongbay

Snack bite after lovely walk on the beach

At Yalong bay ,there is a shopping mall near the first bathing beach (La floret shopping mall). There are lots of food stalls and special snacks that you can try including this delicious mango smoothie. Since the mall is not too huge , it’s easy to find your way around and you can easily locate this place . #nightlife #mytripvlog #foodie #urbanexplorer #summervacation #yalongbay #sanya

Yalong Bay: Sanya’s Beautiful Bay 🌴🌊🌺✨

Yalong Bay is my favourite part of Sanya! I went to Sanya twice and made sure to spend a few days there! ⚫️ Why choose Yalong Bay? 👉🏼 If you love resorts in a laid-back environment, Yalong Bay is the place for you. Lots of nice resorts to choose from for a relaxing stay 😌 I’d recommend Holiday Inn & Suites 👍🏼 Book a room with the mountain view ⛰️ ✨ 👉🏼 Food court and stalls with fresh seafood and a variety of different cuisines to choose from at BaiHua Shopping village. I recommend Hainan specials at ShiWei Hainan. 👉🏼 Yalong Bay is pretty calm and quiet which is perfect if you don’t want to be part of the bigger crowd. It’s also very family-friendly 👨‍👩‍👧 👉🏼 Most hotels are right at the beach. Else it’s a 10-15 mins walk which isn’t bad at all! Some hotels provide transport to the beach. 👉🏼 Lots of water activities: Surfing, Sailing, Flyboard, Jet Water Ski, Parasailing… Address ➡️ Yalong Bay, 亚龙湾 Yalong Bay is about an hour away by 🚕 from the airport. #bucketlistreboot #beachlife #tripblazers #beachvacation #summervacation #holidayvacation #seasidephotoguide #sanyatravel #sanya #yalongbay #hainanisland #hainan

Best place for swimming in Sanya!

Location: Yalong bay, Sanya Sanya Yalong Bay is located 25 km from the nearest airport (Sanya Phoenix International Airport). Yalong Bay is probably the most expensive holiday destination on Hainan island. The 7.5 km long coastline, curved in the shape of a crescent, is covered with fine white sand. Clean water in sunny weather looks beautiful. The bottom is visible at a depth of 10-12 m, which, combined with the proximity of coral reefs, creates excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling. Unlike Dadonhai beach, where the passage to the sea is closed after 19.00 due to dangerous storm currents, you can swim here at any time of the day. I prefer to go to Yalong bay only for a day, spend the whole day at the beach and then go back to Dadonghai bay. In the evening it's a bit boring over there, nothing much to do. #beachlife #sanya #summervacation

Have a taste of local Hainan Cuisine 🌴🥥 🍽

Hainan cuisine is a fusion of Chinese food and food from South East Asia. Coconut is a staple ingredient used in many dishes. Shiwei Hainan is a restaurant offering an array of local delicacies ranging from main courses, side dishes, drinks and desserts 🤤 We went to this restaurant twice last year and loved it so much that we were eager to have another meal there during our stay in Yalong Bay (亚龙湾). Our favourite is the sweet and sour fish 🐟 which was crispy, in sweet and sour sauce with chunks of bell peppers, pineapple and onion. The noodles with sesame sauce, peanuts and coriander was a yummy discovery this time. We devoured it all as soon as it made its way on our table 🙈 The veggies and the shrimp cake were a tad oily, but still brought their flavours to our taste buds 😁 The pineapple fried rice was also delicious. Average price per person ~ 130 -150¥ Address ➡️ Shiwei Hainan, 拾味馆.海南菜 Baihua Valley Business Centre, 百花谷商业中心, A203, 301 #passionpassport#foodie#foodguide #foodieheaven #sanyatravel #sanyafoodie #sanyatrip #musteat#hainanisland #hainanfood #southeastasia#summervacation

Yalong Bay’s Mornings

The Beach was very nice 😊, Clean and less packed, great for someone who likes less crowded spaces. There were water /extreme water sports (jet skiing , paragliding,sailing,fishing )and beach quad bikes. For photogenic folks, it’s always easy to track a good photographer as there are couples and models always taking pictures.The beach is surrounded by quite a few western food outlets such as McDonald’s, Starbucks,KFC,DQ etc.. There are Vendors by the beach 🏖 who sells swim wears , coconut 🥥 water, sun hats 👒 etc.. it is a great place to have a beach picnic 🧺 too. #yalongbay #Beachvacation #view

Sanya’s Yalongwan Mall

Getting There - You can take a DiDi or ride a bike. Address: Longxi Road No.6, Jiyang The name of the mall is: Yalongwan No.1 Outlets. It’s located not too far from Yalongbay beach. Attractions - It is a huge shopping mall. Walk around and enjoy the view. Food & Restaurants - Plenty of restaurants including your typical Mc Donald’s and KFC. Shopping - There are many stores you can go to. There are quite a few Western stores as well. I’m not a fan of shopping malls but walking around was actually quite enjoyable. #createwithtrip #vacation #urbanexplorer #china #summervacation #sanya #chinalife #shoppingmall #shopping #travelinspiration #travel

Yalong Bay Beach 🏝 || Fun Day Of Water 🌊

📍The sea water in Yalong Bay is the cleanest among beaches in Sanya. The sea off the beach is so clear that visibility can reach almost 10 meters, making it ideal for divers who are attracted to the nearby coral reef🐡🐠🦞🦀. 📍Amongst other beaches 🏝in Sanya the yalong bay beach usually lively ; people swimming🏊🏽‍♀️ ; basking in the sun ☀️ or simply walking along the sea shores . The local people offers a variety of sea sports and activities to do . ✨I had an awesome time , some of the activities I couldn’t use my phone to capture I just lived in the moment 😊 . Creating wonderful memories to last a lifetime ❤️ #yalongbay #wateractivities #beaches #travelguide #solotravel #tripaway

Sanya - Yalong Bay

Getting There - My friends and I rented scooters from Dadonghai area. It was quite a long ride so I’d recommend you take a DiDi. Attractions - Great beach with tons of water games available. There are some long chairs available so you can relax. I thought the waves were quite amazing and I enjoyed going for a swim. Snorkeling was a lot of fun too! Hotels - Plenty with a beautiful sea view! 😎 Food & Restaurants - There are few places with direct access to the beach where you can buy some snacks. Have fun! #tigeryear2022 #beachlife #sanya #sanyatravel #beachlife #china #hainan #beautifulbeach #snorkeling #fun #chinatravel #chinabeauty #ThisIsChina

A warm summer breeze 🌞🌴🌊💙 #Jetski

Yalong Bay, Sanya

Getting There - Fly into Sanya airport or alternatively fly into Haikou airport and take the train down along the coast to Sanya Railway Station followed by a short taxi to your hotel. Attractions - Yalong Bay beach. Fantastic beach that will rival many of the beaches in Asia. Looks beautiful in the sun. Hotels - There are a large number of resorts in the area. It is probably the most expensive area of Hainan to stay. Probably more suited to families and couples rather than party goers. Food & Restaurants - There are restaurants in the hotels by the beach or you can go to the street behind where you will find more options. There will be some venders walking the beach offering snacks and drinks. Shopping - There are some shopping areas on the streets behind the beach to purchase a wide variety of items. #beaches#staycation

Magical Sunsets at the beach, Sanya

If you’re a sunset lover, sunsets at the beach in Sanya won’t fail to make you fall in love with the island. I was at Yalong Bay’s public beach during the sunset for two consecutive days and each time was a pure bliss! 🥰 Just sit and admire the sky while the melody of the waves rejuvenates you 🧡🌅🌊#beachlife #sanyatravel#sanya#yalongbay#hainan#islandtravel#islandlife#islandlover#islandgirl

Yalong - overcrowed & overdeveloped

Yalong Beach – not for me! I had heard this was one of Sanya’s nicest beaches and I was really disappointed 😢 It was soooo loud and way overcrowded. It’s a very long sweeping beach and very windy💨 There are designated sections where you can swim (for your safety) because there is every type of water boat zipping by on the ocean. There are jetski’s, electronic surfboards, motor boats with banana floats behind, windsurfing and sailboating. All happening in the one bay making it hard to go swimming or even hear the ocean. There are ATV’s you can rent for the beach - as well as lounge chairs with heaps of others surrounded by pop up shops selling all kinds of beachwear and trinkets. For me, it’s overdeveloped and wasn’t very relaxing or enjoyable. The sheer number of activities on the water made it impossible to go for a nice swim. ✋ #beaches

b*ach life in Sanya 🏝

We wanderers, ever seeking the lonelier way, begin no day where we have ended another day; and no sunrise finds us where sunset left us. Even while the earth sleeps we travel. We are the seeds of the tenacious plant, and it is in our ripeness and our fullness of heart that we are given to the wind and are scattered. - Kahlil Gibran Some moments from a very fruitful trip in Sanya. We experienced some lovely hotels and hospitality, fun beach bars, lazed around in the middle of the ocean 🌊 and basked in the scorching sun ☀️ Recommendations: going to yalong bay and buying a huge floaty to chill in the ocean. - going to the Marriot hotel by dadonhai for their 3 hour buffet. #yalongbay#sanya #china #beachlife #funinthesun #sanyabay #hainan

Tasty Hainan Coconut Chicken

In Hainan it is very easy to get trapped in the luxury of your own resort or find yourself relaxing on the beach for hours. But if you venture only a couple of minutes from the resorts by foot you will find Chicken in Coconut, a famous local restaurant chain that specialises in coconut chicken hotpot. To the left of the Marriott. While staying at Yalong Bay we ate at this restaurant 3 times and each time was great. The staff open up three fresh coconuts at your table and pour them in the bowl and put the chicken in to boil for 5 minutes. You can also order sides and vegetables to mix in as well. All in all this restaurant was amazing, and is a definite must see when your are in Sanya. The service is great. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is retro. You can buy merchandise with little cartoon chickens stuck inside a coconut. Fun for the whole family 😁 #christmasgiveaway #christmasgiveaway

Ocean Blue Restaurant in Yalong Bay

Getting There - Palace Resort Hotel (next to Central Square) Attractions - the only undersea restaurant in Yalong Hotels - Palace Resort Food & Restaurants - Sea food buffet and more It's really worth coming to this place for a nice dinner if you are staying in Yalong. We arrived at 6pm (opening time) and got the table right next to the aquarium. The food was delicious. Many choices of fish and seafood, but also enough meat option. Free flow of beer was available. The desserts were fantastic, I loved all of them. There was a diver in the aquarium at 7pm and some entertainment for kids. Overall, it's an awesome experience. The cost is about 200rmb per person, so don't miss it! #decembertravel #newyearstravel #unforgettableexperiences #travelinspiration #nyedestinations

summer vibes

enjoying the south ocean of China #yalongbay #seaswimming #beaches #swimming

Yalong Bay - Sanya

Yalong Bay in Sanya is beautiful. The beach is pristine and there are so many activities to keep you busy. It is definitely a must visit place, you won’t regret it. Some places in Yalong Bay to put on your list: - The Yalong Bay beach - Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise park (gorgeous views from the mountains, includes a hang bridge and various glass bridges and walkways and also provides a water slide in a boat to the bottom.) - Move into the wild (ATV and UTV rentals and excursions through the rainforests and mountains, definitely a must.) #naturalwonders#culturalattractions#nationalpark#beaches

Yalong Bay - Sanya

Yalong Bay is supposed to be one of the best beaches in Sanya and it truly meets expectations. The beach is clean and has a soft fine sand above the tide line. The sand below the tide line is soft and you can build sandcastles. The slope is steep and old people may need to take care in places but we spent the whole day on the beach. Sailing and boats are available. Jet ski's too although they do make noise. The sea seems clean and good for swimming in. I will come to this area again. It is suitable for families, friends or couples. #unforgettableexperiences#couplestrip#awesomepic#scubadiving#themeparks#bestislandtraveltowns#camping#beaches

Between the blues

Between the blues Living in China, when you wanted a beach 🏖️ getaway, the obvious place you want to go is Hainan province. Although there are lot of places to go in there, I would highly recommend to go to 海口 (Haikou) and 三亚(Sanya). We looked for hotels, that has its own private beach, its own swimming pool 🏊 and some view from our room. Literally 😁 all that we dreamt of, became the reality in Sanya. It felt like we are hearing a lullaby music 🎶 between the blue ocean 🌊 and the blue sky 🌌. We woke up to the sound of sea birds, mother ocean, rumbling waves and ofcourse, cool breeze. With early birds flying to catch their first prey, we also headed for our Southern cuisine breakfast 🥐. As we were both hot shower 🚿type, we decided to take a dip in the ocean when the sun 🌞 was straight to the top of our head. Finally, crawled into our evening with some cocktail and sunset 🌇 view. It was really a paradise !! #beachlove #sanya #seafoodfeast#camping#infinitypool#themepark#nationalpark#lakes#beaches