Top Things to do in Sanya: Best Activities & Must-Sees
By Tina
August 24, 2026
If you're looking for a tropical paradise where you can enjoy the beach, switch off for a few days, or experience the essence of nature, Sanya is for you.
Known as the "Hawaii of China", it is a city that stands out for its white sandy beaches, night markets, and year-round tropical climate. It is located at the southern tip of Hainan Island, China's southernmost island province.
At Trip.com, we'll show you what to see in Sanya, the most iconic places, the must-visit spots, and the spaces that are sure to surprise you.
📍 Popular Things to Do in Sanya
- 🌳 Sanya Romance Park: From £30.52 - A night-time theme park featuring light shows, traditional dances, and a unique atmosphere to enjoy Sanya by night.
- 🏝️ Wuzhizhou Island: From £14.50 - The jewel of diving in China with crystal-clear waters, the famous Lovers' Bridge and water sports for all tastes.
- 🏖️ Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park: From £14.17 - Pure nature with sea views, suspension bridges and a tropical rainforest that looks like it's straight out of a movie.
- 🏯 Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone: From £7.42 - A vast Buddhist park home to the imposing 108-metre Guanyin statue, surrounded by gardens and temples.
- 🏙️ Luhuitou Scenic Area: Free - A deer-shaped viewpoint offering the best panoramic views of Sanya.
- 🏰 Atlantis Sanya: From £39.13 - A mega-resort with a water park. You can even swim with dolphins; it's an ideal plan for the whole family.
🗺️ What to Do in Sanya Based on Your Stay
Whether you're only spending a day in Sanya or have time to explore it at a leisurely pace, you'll find plans to make the most of your stay.
You can visit its most iconic spots in a single day or spend several days discovering the city, its beaches, and the surrounding area. Whether you're travelling solo, with friends, as a couple, or with the family, we're sure the city will surprise you.
Trip type | Recommendation |
Things to do in 1 day | Morning: Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park Afternoon: Dadonghai Bay Sunset: Luhuitou Scenic Area Evening: Night market |
2-day getaway | Day 1: Wuzhizhou Island (diving or walking) + sunset at the Coconut Dream Corridor. Day 2: Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park + afternoon at the beach in Yalong Bay |
3-day trip | Add the Nanshan Cultural Zone with its 108m Guanyin statue and a night market visit to your 2-day itinerary |
Couples' trip | Wuzhizhou Island (Lovers' Bridge) + romantic stroll along the Coconut Dream Corridor + dinner with a view at a restaurant in Haitang Bay |
Family trip | Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park + West Island + sandcastles at Yalong Bay |
Solo travel | Dadonghai Bay, Luhuitou Scenic Area and a night visit to the local markets |
Cultural trip | Nanshan Cultural Zone, Great Compassion Temple, Li/Miao Village in Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park |
Attractions and Tours in Sanya
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![Sanya Zhuzhuxia wakesurfing experience [beginners + wave boat + full coaching]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0353h12000a51a1zf9C58_C_568_320.jpg)
![Dadonghai international diving club diving experience scuba diving/PADI advanced freediving for 2 hours [PADI diving at Dadonghai, Sanya + beach lounge chair]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0357012000phcdq8x7723_C_568_320.jpg)
![Diving experience in Sanya Baifu Island Diving Center + Sun Bay snorkeling center + Yalong Bay National Tourism Resort + Baihua Valley Commercial Street for scuba diving/snorkeling for 4–5 hrs [Sanya Baifu Island snorkeling | Sun Bay road + Yalong Bay beach + Russian commercial street]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0356712000bp37ixzBDA0_C_568_320.jpg)
🏙️ Must-Visit Areas in Sanya
To help you better organise your visit, we have divided the must-visit places in Sanya between those within the city and those located in other parts of Hainan Island.
📍 In the city and its immediate surroundings
Guanyin Statue, in the Nanshan Cultural Zone: This is Sanya's great icon. Standing 108 metres tall, this statue dedicated to the goddess of compassion is one of the largest in the world and rises up facing the sea. The park surrounding it is part of a vast complex dedicated to Buddhist culture, with temples and tropical gardens.
Luhuitou Scenic Area (literally, "The deer that turns its head"): This is one of the best natural viewpoints in Sanya, offering views of both the city and the sea. Its name comes from a love legend of the Li ethnic group, and it is a particularly popular spot at sunset.
Tianya Haijiao: This coastal spot holds great symbolic and romantic value. It is known for its two huge rocks engraved with these words and for having once been considered the southernmost point of China.
Coconut Dream Corridor: This is a promenade stretching about 20 kilometres, lined with coconut palms. Both locals and travellers often explore it on foot or by bike, though one of its biggest draws is watching the sunset over the sea.
🏝️ In the surroundings of Sanya, on Hainan Island
To discover other corners of the island beyond the city, here are some of the most outstanding areas:
Yalong Bay: It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Sanya, thanks to its white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Nearby is the Tropical Paradise Forest Park, a jungle located in the heights from which you can get stunning views of the bay.
Wuzhizhou Island: This is the most popular island for diving and water sports. It’s known as the “Maldives of China” due to its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs. It’s also a great option for spending the day relaxing by the sea.
Nanwan Monkey Island: This is a highly recommended visit for those travelling with children or with a special interest in nature. It is a natural space where hundreds of macaques live in the wild. To reach the island, you can take the longest over-water cable car in China.
Yanoda Tropical Rainforest: This ecological park, located in the interior of the island, allows you to venture into the jungle, cross suspension bridges, traverse waterfalls or go zip-lining. It is a greener and cooler alternative to beach plans.
Bin Lang Ethnic Village: This acts as a true "living museum" dedicated to preserving the culture of the Li and Miao indigenous peoples of Hainan. During your visit, you can discover their traditional dwellings, handicrafts, and dances.
Each of these places shows a different side of Sanya: its spirituality, its history, its natural landscapes, and its extensive coastline.
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Top Hotels in Sanya
5 star
Outstanding7346 Reviews
Dadonghai Beach Sanya|3.6km from city centre
Fantastic hotel! I have to admit the room was a bit small and the decor a little dated, but the location is excellent, and it offers incredible value for money. It's so convenient for the beach! And the service was truly exceptional – that professional, old-school hotel service. Whenever we had a problem, the front desk staff always considered things from a customer's perspective and actively helped resolve them. We received complimentary welcome fruit, the breakfast was extensive, and the airport drop-off service was very convenient. This time, we had noisy neighbors, and the hotel promptly helped us change rooms and even offered a complimentary afternoon tea. Every front desk staff member sincerely told guests to contact them anytime with any issues. We even received complimentary coconut water when we left. When I come back for a holiday next year, I will definitely choose Yintai again.FromPLN 218
Very Good9943 Reviews
Dadonghai Beach Sanya|3.86km from city centre
Traveling to Sanya, the dining experience at this hotel truly surprised me – the value for money is incredible! I highly recommend all guests to book a package that includes meals. Even if you pay separately, the prices are reasonable, and the quality of the food is consistently excellent, definitely worth every penny.
**The Joy of Sleeping In: Extended Brunch Hours**
I have to praise the breakfast time, served all the way until 1:30 PM! This is a godsend for late risers, perfectly avoiding the crowds and allowing for a leisurely “Brunch.”
**🍢 All-Day Delight: Rotating Buffet BBQ**
If you miss breakfast, from 1:30 PM to 9:30 PM, there’s a rotating self-service BBQ! The selection is incredibly rich, featuring not only various freshly grilled skewers, roast chicken, and sausages, but also hot dishes (meat and vegetarian), fresh fruits, main courses, and beverages. The absolute best part is being able to DIY Hainanese-style Qingbuliang (sweet coconut soup with various ingredients) and unlimited ice cream. After this meal, you'll feel completely satisfied.
**🦆 Must-Eat No.1: Authentic Peking Duck**
This is the only restaurant in the hotel that requires advance booking, and it’s absolutely worth it! The duck is roasted and carved on the spot, the chef's skills are superb. The skin is crispy, the meat is tender, and the taste is very authentic, with all the accompanying condiments provided. You can enjoy genuine Beijing flavor right here.
**🦞 Seafood Extravaganza: Seafood Buffet Dinner**
If you're craving a big feast, you must save room for the seafood buffet dinner! This is the restaurant with the most extensive selection of dishes in the entire hotel. It not only offers freshly sliced thick-cut salmon and sweet shrimp sashimi (the chilled section is amazing) but also freshly grilled steaks, lamb chops, and a variety of fresh seafood for hot pot. Oysters, shrimp, crabs, and unlimited Hainan tropical fruits, fresh Hainan coconuts, and pre-cut papayas, watermelons, and oranges – you can eat until your heart's content!
**⚠️ Important Tip:** Remember to book the Peking Duck restaurant in advance with the front desk to avoid a wasted trip!
I highly recommend this hotel. Whether you’re traveling with kids or on a couples' getaway, you don't have to worry about dining here. It offers great value, excellent food quality, and superb standards! [Strong][Strong]FromPLN 208
885 Reviews
Dadonghai Beach Sanya|4.9km from city centre
The hotel's location in Xiaodonghai is great. While it's an older property, the facilities are well-maintained, and the rooms exceeded my expectations. It offers good value for money. During holidays, getting to the city center can be slow due to traffic from Luhuitou. I hope the hotel improves its pool management; it's currently subpar. People were in the pool without swim caps and even wearing shoes, which makes you wonder about the water quality. On the plus side, access to the beach is very convenient and close, perfect for families with children. However, Xiaodonghai has many underwater rocks, making it a bit uncomfortable to swim from the shore. The concierge service was excellent – very friendly and proactive in helping with luggage. Also, the breakfast was delicious with good quality offerings, including fresh juice. Overall, it was a good value stay, and I hope the hotel addresses the areas for improvement.FromPLN 253
Outstanding13206 Reviews
Dadonghai Beach Sanya|4.12km from city centre
This time, I brought my 5-year-old to Sanya for a vacation, and I was completely won over by Yara's proactive assistance even before our arrival! The day before we checked in, she took the initiative to ask about our arrival time. Knowing we had a child with us, she thoughtfully prepared kids' toiletries, small slippers, and even our child's favorite tent, all set up in the room. She also specially arranged a high-floor sea-view room for us; as soon as we opened the window, we were greeted by the entire ocean. Our child screamed and ran to the balcony as soon as we entered the room. During our stay, the child accidentally fell. We were frantically looking for iodine, and Yara heard about it and brought a first-aid kit within two minutes. She really thought of everything, even more than we did ourselves. When we checked out, she even gave our child a small plush toy as a souvenir. She was always quick to respond to any questions we had throughout our stay, leaving us with nothing to worry about. Our Sanya trip was so comfortable, truly thanks to Yara's thoughtful arrangements. Next time we come to Sanya, we will definitely stay here again and make sure to connect with Yara!FromPLN 303
Good7346 Reviews
Yalong Bay Sanya|15.64km from city centre
The Yalong Bay Seaview International Resort Hotel boasts an excellent location, right on the beach. The room amenities and pool environment are generally satisfactory, and it's convenient to get to various attractions by taxi.
The biggest drawback is the restaurant. While the staff are friendly, there's a clear gap in overall management, operational procedures, and brand standards compared to chain hotels. The food quality is mediocre, and replenishment and table clearing are slow. The processes aren't standardized, and for the same price point, the dining experience falls significantly short of chain resorts.
The rooms, beach, and public areas would get a good score. If you don't plan to dine at the hotel and are just looking for a place to stay overnight, it's a viable option. However, if hotel breakfast and restaurant dining experience are important to you, I'd recommend considering other choices carefully.FromPLN 216
Family friendly
Good6081 Reviews
Yalong Bay Sanya|12.62km from city centre
Our stay at the Pullman Sanya Yalong Bay Villas & Resort far exceeded our expectations. The hotel boasts a rich Southeast Asian garden design, with beautiful scenery at every turn – perfect for stunning photos. Our villa was spacious and comfortable with excellent natural light, a private pool, and an independent courtyard, offering superb privacy. The room details were also well thought out, with a good separation of wet and dry areas and complete amenities. The front desk service was very attentive!
Upon checkout, I experienced a hand care treatment. The therapist was professional and gentle, making the whole process very relaxing. Afterwards, my hands were noticeably softer and more delicate. Being able to pamper my hands during a vacation was a huge bonus.
The hotel's dining was equally excellent, with both breakfast and dinner offering delicious flavors befitting a five-star property. The Chinese restaurant served authentic and exquisite dishes. The hotel also provides shuttle services that cover the entire property. In terms of service, from luggage delivery to the room to proactively assisting with luggage upon departure, every detail made us feel warm and welcomed.
Highly recommended for couples and families seeking privacy and comfort!FromPLN 398
Good6344 Reviews
Yalong Bay Sanya|13.95km from city centre
This was my first time visiting Sanya, and I wasn't sure how to pick a hotel. I randomly chose the Swiss & Grand Mercure, drawn in by its garden-style design. I'm so glad I did; it was definitely worth it! The hotel's location is super convenient, which is a big plus, and the staff's service truly made the experience even better. Our room was clean and tidy, with all the necessary amenities. Even though it's a bit older, it didn't affect our stay at all. Highly recommend!FromPLN 155
Very Good9653 Reviews
Sanya Bay Sanya|2.03km from city centre
The location is absolutely fantastic! You just cross the street from the lobby and you're right on the beach. You can even walk to and from the beach in your swimsuit. It's super convenient for dining and shopping too. The room was clean and tidy, and the bedding was soft and comfortable for a great night's sleep. The front desk staff were very friendly and helpful. Excellent value for money – I'll definitely choose this place again for my next trip!FromPLN 134
Excellent13884 Reviews
Sanya Bay Sanya|7.16km from city centre
We stayed at the Pullman Sanya Yalong Bay Resort with our two-bedroom Ocean View Suite (approx. 120 sqm) during the summer holidays, traveling with two adults and one child. The vacation experience was quite good. The suite was spacious and airy with two bedrooms, two living areas, and two bathrooms. It featured a huge ocean-view balcony and offered great privacy.
The hotel amenities were comprehensive. The pool area was large, surrounded by coconut trees, creating a tranquil environment perfect for kids to play freely. There's an exclusive underground passage leading directly to the beach, which is safe and convenient. The sand on the beach was fine and soft. The complimentary photoshoot from 'Paipai Dao' on the Coconut Dream Corridor turned out pretty well.
The breakfast buffet offered a decent variety and was served until past 10 AM. They also had Qīngbǔliáng, a local specialty dessert.FromPLN 316
Outstanding25020 Reviews
Yalong Bay Sanya|13.08km from city centre
The Sheraton is absolutely stunning! The lobby design is super cool and spacious, and the public areas are just gorgeous. They don't have a butler service, but all the staff are friendly. I waited about 40 minutes for check-in and got a free upgrade to a suite. The room was so big it actually made me a bit restless at night! Both balconies offer amazing sea views. Breakfast was pretty average though, not much variety, but the Hainan noodles and Baoluo noodles were delicious. The dining area is nice and cool, and the beach views are incredible. They're very strict about not letting you swim after a certain time, which feels very safe. I'd love to visit Sanya again! The complimentary photoshoot included 5 original photos, and the photographer was pretty good. I paid an extra 100 RMB for retouching.FromPLN 430
Swimming pool
Outstanding12072 Reviews
Sanya Bay Sanya|8.37km from city centre
A hotel with exceptional service, and I really want to highlight the service.
A huge thank you to Lucia, our hotel butler, for her constant help throughout our stay. From the moment we checked in, Lucia was incredibly welcoming and enthusiastic. When we checked out, I realized I'd left my power bank in the room, and Lucia promptly arranged for a delivery service to bring it back. Having Lucia as our butler made this trip incredibly pleasant. She's the most attentive butler I've encountered in all my visits to Sanya.
**Location:** The hotel is just across the road from Sanya Bay's Coconut Palm Promenade, making beach access super convenient. It's also a quick 15-minute taxi ride from the airport.
**Room Facilities:** The rooms are clean and tidy. The hotel itself is quite large and has a very distinctive design style. My two children absolutely loved the big bathtub in the room. You can also see the ocean from the hotel balcony.
**Breakfast:** The buffet breakfast offers a wide variety of Chinese and Western options. As it's a family-friendly hotel, they also provide baby utensils. The restaurant is very spacious with two huge halls.
**Hotel Environment:** The hotel boasts a massive lawn, perfect for travel photography. We brought our two kids for a photoshoot, and each room comes with 5 complimentary retouched travel photos.
**Kids' Activities:** This hotel is ideal for families with children. There are several swimming pools, a small water park, and a huge indoor children's play area. The kids loved it so much they didn't want to leave!FromPLN 212
Outstanding28860 Reviews
Yalong Bay Sanya|12.69km from city centre
Linda, the manager, added me on WeChat and even helped reserve a ground-floor room in Building 8, so I got the ocean-view room I wanted. When I changed rooms and checked out, they arranged for the concierge trolley, which was very convenient.
I assume all the rooms are internally the same. The Hilton pool rooms have individual pools, which offer some privacy, but they are also quite small. However, since the entrances to the pool rooms' pools are so close to each other, the privacy is somewhat lost.
The public pool area is beautiful, and the sandy pool kept the kids very happy. There are shaded areas too. The sea wasn't very open, and the weather wasn't good, so I didn't go swimming, but the beach was nice and had a private section.
Breakfast was good, with a wide variety and tasty food; I had Hainan noodles for several days. However, if you go late, there's a really long wait. I don't understand why there's only one restaurant, and even with empty tables, you still have to wait to be seated.
The ocean-view room in Building 8 is definitely worth experiencing. I even saw a warship from the beach, and the sea is just a few steps away. The room wasn't too damp, and there's beach soccer right outside. It felt incredibly like a vacation, very summery!FromPLN 522
Good18340 Reviews
Haitang Bay Sanya|26.5km from city centre
I was a bit worried before checking in because of all the negative reviews online, but it turned out to be a really pleasant surprise! It's definitely not as bad as some people say and is actually great value for the price. We booked a Club Lounge package and paid extra to upgrade to a sea-view room, and the ocean view was absolutely fantastic. The room was also very close to both the pool and the beach.
The hotel's pool has two large slides and a canopy for shade. While ostrich riding costs extra, activities like go-karting, zip-lining, face painting, archery, and the mini-train are all free. The fire dance show in the evening was also spectacular and far from a half-hearted effort. Our room was on the 5th floor, and they had the air purifier running beforehand, so there wasn't any smell at all.
Overall, this hotel is really well-suited for families with kids. The breakfast spread is extensive – I especially loved the spareribs with rice and had two bowls every time! Our butler, Felix, added me on WeChat a day in advance, which made it super convenient to communicate with him about anything. My child wasn't comfortable with the flip-flops provided, and after I mentioned it to the butler, he immediately had a pair of flat slippers sent to our room. They also helped deliver takeout to our room, and at checkout, the butler even called a colleague to help us with our luggage. The service was incredibly thoughtful.FromPLN 321
Outstanding16696 Reviews
Yalong Bay Sanya|12.92km from city centre
Overall, my stay was quite good. I particularly enjoyed the complimentary photoshoot offered by the hotel. I communicated my ideas to the photographer, and all the photos were taken exactly where and how I wanted them. I was surprised that even away from their usual spots, the photos turned out fantastic, which really shows the photographer's professionalism. The hotel's deep sleep program was perfectly timed for my afternoon nap; listening to the white noise definitely helped me sleep more soundly than usual. As for the room, it was just as pictured. By the way, my room number was 3250. Couldn't they have skipped the '250' room number? Hasn't Marriott been open for so many years and no guests have ever complained about room number 250? Now, about breakfast: go early, or you'll have to wait for a table. I suggest they don't pre-cook the noodle soup and pho, as they were all stuck together. I ended up wasting a bowl of noodles because I couldn't even separate them. On another note, the butler service was excellent, very responsive, and answered my messages instantly.FromPLN 535
Excellent10495 Reviews
Dadonghai Beach Sanya|4.7km from city centre
This five-star rating is for Annie, the butler. Everyone says Trip.com offers the best service for booking rooms, so I booked through all three platforms, and indeed, Trip.com's booking service was the best. Let me start with the hotel's pros:
1. Annie was excellent. I only booked a garden view room this time, but she arranged for me to be on the third floor, where I could catch a glimpse of the sea. Once, after swimming, it was inconvenient for me to pick up takeout, and she arranged for a colleague to deliver it. On the last day, she even sent red wine and a deluxe fruit platter. Although I declined the red wine and didn't eat the fruit (even though I accepted it), her thoughtful gesture was very much appreciated. Thank you very much.
2. The location is great. I really like how it's in a bustling area yet very quiet. I definitely wanted to go out and eat good food, as there aren't many good options in Haitang Bay, but there are more choices here.
3. The design is pretty good. To truly feel like a resort, you need these low-rise buildings. The hotel is also genuinely close to the beach, which is very convenient. The family pool area is great for photos. It's quite easy to get some nice pictures here.
Now for the cons:
1. I originally thought a clean and tidy room would suffice, and I wouldn't mind if other things were a bit old. However, the bedside outlet was broken, and the air conditioner's fan made a loud noise. I didn't notice it during the day, but after waking up in the middle of the night, I couldn't stop wondering where the noise was coming from, and I didn't sleep well at all.
2. The bedding wasn't suitable for me; both the mattress and pillows were uncomfortable.
3. The water in the main pool was really dirty. I'm not a picky person, but the water in this pool was unfortunately murky. There's no shade around the pool at all, so it gets direct sunlight.
4. The fruit platter and mini-bar were a bit too simple. The fruit platter consisted of one apple, one orange, and one pear. The drinks seemed to be Sprite and Coke. A fresh coconut, which would have been more characteristic of the local area, would have been much better.FromPLN 405
⭐ Top 5 Activities and Landmarks in Sanya
Guanyin statue in the Nanshan Cultural Zone🙏
The great symbol of Sanya and one of the most imposing Buddhist monuments in the world. Its presence facing the sea is breathtaking.
📌 Trip Tip: the park is huge, so don't skimp on the tourist bus to get around it. Bring water and sun protection, and wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees so you can access the temples.
Wuzhizhou Island 🏝️
A paradise for diving and water sports. Its crystal-clear waters and the famous Lovers' Bridge make it the queen of Sanya's islands.
📌 Trip Tip: arrive before 10:00 am to avoid queues. Set aside a full half-day and don't forget your sun cream.
Yalong Bay and its park🌴
The most beautiful beach in Sanya combined with a jungle in the heights. The views from the suspension bridge and the glass-bottomed viewpoint are spectacular.
📌 Trip Tip: visit the forest park first thing in the morning (around 7:00 am) to avoid the heat. The afternoon is perfect for the beach.
Luhuitou Park Viewpoint 🦌
The best free viewpoint in the city. The panoramic views at sunset, with the sea and the lights of Sanya, are one of the most beautiful scenes you will take away with you.
📌 Trip Tip: go at sunset and bring mosquito repellent. You can take the bus to save time and effort.
Tianya Haijiao 🌅
China's symbolic "end of the world". Its engraved rocks and romantic atmosphere make it an almost essential stop for postcard-perfect photos.
📌 Trip Tip: make the most of it at sunset and combine it with a seafood dinner at the nearby First Market.
☀️ Best Time to Visit Sanya
Before visiting this paradise, it's important to take the weather and crowd levels into account. November to April is considered high season, as the weather is stable and the temperatures are pleasant.
From May to October, it's the complete opposite: temperatures often climb above 30ºC, humidity levels rise, and you might encounter the risk of heavy rainstorms.
Season | What it's like | Recommendation |
November to February | Dry and cool season. This is Sanya's "winter", with daytime temperatures of 25-28°C and cooler nights (18-22°C). | The best time to travel. The weather is ideal for the beach, diving, and outdoor activities. Avoid Chinese New Year (January/February), as the city gets packed with domestic tourists and prices skyrocket. |
March and April | Temperatures start to rise (28-32°C) and humidity increases slightly. The days remain mostly sunny. | A great time to visit, with an excellent balance: the weather is still pleasant, there are fewer tourists than in the winter months, and prices drop. |
May to June | Start of the rainy season. The heat and humidity increase significantly. | Acceptable if you don't mind the heat. You can find deals on accommodation, but you need to be prepared for the rain and the humidity. |
July to October | Typhoon and heavy rain season. It is the hottest, most humid, and most unstable time of year. | Not recommended. The sea is often rough, it rains frequently, and there's a risk that outdoor activities or island excursions might be cancelled. |
We recommend travelling between November and April, always keeping local holidays in mind, with March and April offering the best balance between weather and price.
Cheap flights to Sanya
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🥢 What to Eat in Sanya
Sanya's cuisine combines the taste of the sea with the intensity of tropical flavours. You'll find everything from hearty stews to seafood and meat dishes. Without a doubt, trying the island's gastronomy is an experience you simply cannot miss.
- Coconut chicken: tender chicken cooked in the pure juice of three green coconuts. A sweet broth with an intense coconut aroma.
- Zaopo: a sweet and sour broth fermented with rice wine, in which fresh seafood is cooked. A refreshing and addictive flavour.
- Fresh seafood: a coastal essential. Try the steamed grouper or the stir-fried crab. Buy them at the market and have them cooked on the spot.
- Hainan noodles: thin noodles with fried peanuts, bean sprouts, pork, and a special sauce. A classic that never fails.
- Tengqiao fried ribs: ribs marinated in honey and fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Qing Bu Liang: a refreshing dessert with coconut milk, fruit, red beans, taro, and tapioca. Perfect for beating the heat.
🚇 Transport Options in Sanya
Sanya has its own international airport: Sanya Phoenix International Airport, with the code SYX.
Although Sanya doesn't have an underground system, it does have an 8.37-kilometre tram line with 15 stops. It connects the city centre with Sanya railway station, and a ticket costs around £0.35.
The most budget-friendly option is the local bus. The city has an extensive network of routes connecting the centre with the beaches and other places of interest. Tickets start from £0.20, but bear in mind that journey times can be longer during rush hour.
For getting around more comfortably, you can use taxis or ride-hailing apps like DiDi. Some orange vehicles identified with the “Hainan Trusted Pay” logo allow you to pay with international bank cards.
Renting a car can be a great alternative if you're travelling in a group or want to explore other parts of Hainan Island at your own pace. One of the advantages is that the island's motorways are toll-free. Plus, for short trips along the coast, it's also common to hire a bicycle or an electric scooter.
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📱 Sanya Travel tips
- Book tickets for the most popular attractions in advance.
- Always carry your passport, as you may be asked for it to access certain places.
- Download map, translation, transport, and payment apps before you arrive.
- Check the entry requirements for China.
- Consider getting an eSIM for China with a VPN.
- Check out how to use Alipay in China safely.
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❓ FAQ – Things to Do in Sanya
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