Attractions · Sanya

Yalong Bay is a fine tropical coastal scenic area in Sanya's eastern suburbs. Its crescent-shaped bay runs about seven kilometres, with a broad, gently sloping beach of white sand as fine as powder and clear blue water with visibility of 7–9 metres. Swimming and diving are possible all year, with rich coral reefs and tropical fish offshore. Yalong Bay holds many five-star hotels and resorts and is one of China's finest seaside holiday destinations. Known as the finest bay under heaven, it has seven kilometres of gentle white sand and exceptionally clear water, making it Sanya's best beach and resort area. Highlights include the Shell Museum, Butterfly Valley and Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park. Tip: go in the morning, when the angle of the sun is good for photographs. Practical info: the scenic area is at Yalong Bay National Tourism Resort, Jiyang District, Sanya, Hainan; admission is free; it is open all day. Best season: winter (November–March) is warm and pleasant, the best time to escape the cold and enjoy a beach holiday.

Tip: Go in the morning for good light and photographs. Take sun protection.

• Address: Yalong Bay National Tourism Resort, Jiyang District, Sanya, Hainan Province
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: Open all day

Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park occupies the hills north of Yalong Bay, covering about 1,500 hectares, and is one of the better-preserved areas of tropical evergreen monsoon forest on Hainan Island. Its main stops are the River-Crossing Bridge, Canghai Tower, Orchid Valley and the bird's-nest villas, and scenes from the film If You Are the One 2 were shot here. From Canghai Tower the curved coast of Yalong Bay and its hotels spread out below — a rare high viewpoint over the sea in Sanya. Shuttle buses link the stops, keeping the walking manageable. A tropical mountain park behind Yalong Bay, it became famous for the bird's-nest villas in If You Are the One 2. The River-Crossing Bridge, Canghai Tower and Orchid Valley are the main sights, and the heights look over the full arc of Yalong Bay's coast. Tip: go in the morning for good light and fewer people; the bridge has a visitor cap, so those afraid of heights should judge for themselves. Practical info: the park is at Yalong Bay National Tourism Resort, Jiyang District, Sanya; ticket about ¥158 (includes the shuttle; subject to official notice); opening hours 07:30–17:30 (last entry 16:30). Highlights include River-Crossing Bridge, Canghai Tower, Orchid Valley, Bird's-nest villas.

Tip: Go in the morning for good light and fewer people; the bridge has a visitor cap, so those afraid of heights sh…

• Address: Yalong Bay National Tourism Resort, Jiyang District, Sanya
• Ticket: About ¥158 (includes shuttle; subject to official notice)
• Opening: 07:30–17:30 (last entry 16:30)

Tianya Haijiao lies at the western end of Sanya Bay, its shore strewn with great boulders, the most famous being the 'Tianya' and 'Haijiao' rocks. During the Yongzheng reign of the Qing, the Yazhou magistrate Cheng Zhe inscribed the two characters 'Tianya', and later scholars added 'Haijiao', from which time 'Tianya Haijiao' has been a romantic symbol of separation at the ends of the earth. Coconut groves sway within the scenic area under blue skies and a blue sea. Besides the Tianya and Haijiao rocks there are sights such as Nantian Yizhu, the Pillar of the Southern Sky, and Haipan Nantian — the former familiar to many because it appeared on the back of the 2-yuan note in the fourth series of the renminbi, and a popular spot for wedding photography. Famous for the 'Tianya' and 'Haijiao' inscriptions on its coastal boulders, the place symbolises romance and far horizons, carrying the feelings of travellers far from home; it is Sanya's signature sight. Highlights include the Tianya Rock. Tip: towards evening, as the sun sets, is excellent for photographs. Practical info: the scenic area is at Tianya Haijiao, Tianya District, Sanya, Hainan; admission is free (no charge since June 2023, but real-name reservation is required); opening hours 08:00–18:30 (March–September) and 08:00–18:00 (October–February).

Tip: Towards evening, as the sun sets, is ideal for photographs. Electric shuttle cars run within the scenic area.

• Address: Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area, Tianya District, Sanya, Hainan Province
• Ticket: Free (no charge since June 2023; real-name reservation required)
• Opening: 08:00–18:30 (March–September) / 08:00–18:00 (October–February)

The Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone lies at the foot of Nanshan, 40 kilometres southwest of Sanya, facing the South China Sea. It is a large themed scenic area combining Buddhist culture, the culture of blessing and longevity, and eco-tourism. The 108-metre Guanyin statue stands on a platform by the sea, its three faces differently posed, and is one of the tallest Guanyin images in the world. Nanshan Temple is a Buddhist monastery in the Tang architectural style, richly gilded. The Gate of Non-Duality, Guanyin Plaza and the Gold and Jade Guanyin each have their own character, and the area is densely planted with luxuriant tropical vegetation. Set against the mountain and facing the sea, with the majestic 108-metre Guanyin offshore, it combines Buddhist culture, blessing and longevity traditions, and tropical gardens — a fine place to pray and watch the sea. Tip: the area is large, so use the electric shuttle. Practical info: the zone is at Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone, Yazhou District, Sanya, Hainan; ticket ¥129; opening hours 08:00–17:30. Best season: winter (November–March) is warm and pleasant, the best time to escape the cold and enjoy a beach holiday.

Tip: The area is large; use the electric shuttle. Dress appropriately when entering the temple.

• Address: Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone, Yazhou District, Sanya, Hainan Province
• Ticket: ¥129
• Opening: 08:00–17:30

Wuzhizhou Island lies in Haitang Bay about 2.7 kilometres offshore, a long, narrow island of roughly 1.5 square kilometres once known as Lover's Island. Dense vegetation covers the island, its coast is a mix of strange rocks and fine sand, and the surrounding water is exceptionally clear, with coral reefs and tropical fish visible close to shore. This made it the first island in Sanya to be developed for water sports and the one with the greatest concentration of activities: diving, sea walking, jet skiing, banana boats and speedboat trips around the island are all priced separately on the island. The whole island is managed as one tourist area and is reached by ferry. A circular trail passes cliffs and reefs. Because ferry schedules and sea conditions govern the visit, queues and visitor limits are common in peak season and during the winter school holidays. Highlights include the clear water and nearshore coral reefs, diving and sea walking and other water sports, the island trail and Sunrise Rock, and Lover's Bridge and the beach relaxation area. Tip: be sure to buy tickets online in advance and take an early ferry; the last return sailing is early, so do not plan to stay past sunset. Practical info: the island is at Wuzhizhou Island, Haitang Bay, Haitang District, Sanya, Hainan; the ticket includes the round-trip ferry (island activities are charged separately at official rates); opening hours 08:00–17:30 (subject to ferry schedules, with the last return sailing early).

Tip: Buy tickets online in advance and take an early ferry; the last return sailing is early, so do not plan to sta…

• Address: Wuzhizhou Island, Haitang Bay, Haitang District, Sanya, Hainan
• Ticket: Ticket includes round-trip ferry (island activities priced separately; check official rates)
• Opening: 08:00–17:30 (subject to ferry schedule; the last return sailing is early)