I've known about Tianya Haijiao (End of the Earth) since I was a child because it's featured on the 2 RMB note. I'd always heard the legends about it but never been there. This time, during my trip to Sanya, I decided to visit.
Location: Sanya has several bays, including Yalong Bay, Sanya Bay, and Haitang Bay. Tianya Haijiao is actually near Sanya Bay. If you're staying in Yalong Bay or Haitang Bay, I recommend visiting Tianya Haijiao as soon as you get off the plane. It's only a 40-minute drive from Sanya Phoenix Airport, very close by, so you can easily return to your accommodation afterward.
Tickets: Tianya Haijiao is a free attraction. You don't need to spend any money; just make a reservation in advance through their official WeChat account and then bring your ID card to swipe at the entrance.
Recommended Activities: Tianya Haijiao (End of the Earth) actually has two entrances. There's a west entrance next to Tianya Town, which is the main gate of the scenic area. Personally, I recommend entering through the main gate rather than the west entrance. If you enter through the west gate, it's difficult to access Tianya Town. If you enter through the main gate, you can exit through the west gate and then visit Tianya Town. Also, upon entering, you might be offered a tour bus ticket, but don't buy it. It's unnecessary. The scenic area claims a 6km round trip, but you can only walk about 3km. The tour bus doesn't cover many attractions, so exploring on your own is much better.
1: After entering through the main gate, walk south along the designated route for about 350 meters. You'll see the "Southern Pillar of Heaven" (the one on the back of the 2 RMB note). Take a picture with the 2 RMB note against the Southern Pillar – it's a great photo opportunity. There's also the Southern Stone next to the Southern Pillar, which you can also take pictures with.
2. Continuing south, you'll encounter the very popular "One Tree at the End of the World" spot. There are free photo opportunities there; you can sit and take pictures with friends. You can pick up the photos later, but just choose the free ones. It's not worth spending 25 yuan for a professionally edited one; this is a potential pitfall, so please be aware.
3. Continuing south along the beach, you'll come across a rainforest. However, there's not much to see there, so I don't recommend exploring it. It's quite boring. Continuing south, you'll reach the famous Tianya and Haijiao (End of the World). Note that Tianya and Haijiao are not connected. Tianya Stone is relatively easy to find, but Haijiao is behind it. You can take photos at Haijiao first, then go to Tianya Stone, as it gets quite crowded.
After visiting Tianya and Haijiao, you can exit through the west gate. In the evening, you can stroll around Tianya Town; the town's night view is truly beautiful.
However, it must be said that Tianya Haijiao (End of the Earth) is a very cost-effective tourist attraction in Hainan. The beaches, coconut trees, and greenways are truly beautiful, but there are some pitfalls to be aware of.
Also, I don't recommend renting a car, as parking is difficult.
Overall, I'd give it a 4.7 out of 10.