Cruise Destination—Sanya

Sanya boasts a 258 km long coastline, has a total of 19 bays and beaches, and enjoys over 20 meters of water visibility.

Sanya has abundant tropical natural resources such as its year round balmy climate, clean air, sunshine, lush greenery, pristine seawater, soft beaches, fresh seafood, international high-end hotels and resorts. Sanya has very profound and rich tropical island culture, its marine culture, resort culture, Li and Miao culture which form a splendid contrast to the tropical scenery, making it a unique tropical paradise in China.

It is the cultural diversity and beautiful tropical environment which gives Sanya a wealth of tourism resources and opportunities. Marine parks, ancient temples, hillside reserves, beaches; islets, tropical rainforest parks and botanical gardens, all of these and more are only a short trip away from the centre of Sanya, and can be easily visited as a half or full day trip.

There is a variety of well-developed water sports and beach activities including diving, surfing, speed-boating, jet skiing, diving and snorkeling. There is also a low-altitude aerial sight-seeing trips including helicopter and seaplane flights. The vast sea area has made yachting, sailing and sea cruises ever more popular for holidaymakers.

Being the only  tropical resort city in China, Sanya has long been a city of sun and fun, its cultural diversity has added more flavour to the resort city which is reflected through a wide range of performing arts and entertainment.

Must-see Sights

Tianyahaijiao Scenic Spot (The End of the Earth)

Known as ‘The End of the Earth’, this spot is widely, and incorrectly, thought to be the southernmost point on Hainan Island.

Set within a landscaped beach front park with views over the South China Sea, this is a popular place for tourists who come to see the ocean and in particular the rocks that dot the beach, which are inscribed with lines from famous poems.

Each of the various rocks has significant traits, for example, the ‘Tianya or Lucky Rock’ is thought to be ancestor of all rocks in Hainan and the ‘Step Up Rock’ implies progress and success in academic studies and business.

Tianya Hiajiao is considered a romantic spot and is popular with honeymooners due to its name being mentioned in a poem called ‘I will follow you to Tianya Haijiao’.

Address: Tianya Haijiao Scenic Spot Area, Tianya Town, Sanya

Contact: +86 898 88592938

Website: www.aitianya.cn

Ticket: ￥100 per person

Transport : Bus 16 & 25 / Taxi

Times: 7.30am – 6.50pm

Dongtian Park (Daxiaodongtian)

Originally established during the Southern Song dynasty (1187 AD), Dongtian Park is the most southern centre for Taoist culture in China.

It has been a major attraction for visitors of Hainan Island for 800 years.

The site incorporates fifty different scenic spots with beautiful beach fronts and mountain scenery, as well as cultural and educational activities.

There is a restaurant near the main entrance and a boutique beach front hotel within the park.

Address: Yazhou Bay, 40 km west from Sanya City

Contact: +86 898 88830188

Website: www.sanyapark.com

Hotel Website: www.sanyaxiaoyuewan.com

Ticket: ￥135 per person

Transport : Bus 16 & 25 / Taxi

Times: 7.30am – 6.30pm

Wuzhizhou Island

Just north of Yalong Bay lies Wuzhizhou Island, small and walkable with lush tropical vegetation, pure white sand beaches and surrounded by crystal clear waters. This is one of the most popular trips for visitors to Sanya.

The sea around the island is protected and so is a haven for all sorts of fish and has some of the best preserved corals in China. Visitors can enjoy a variety of water sports activities including diving and snorkeling; one can also take a relaxing stroll around the island or just laze on the beach and go swimming in the crystal clear water.

About a 45 minute drive from the center of Sanya, and a 20 minute ferry ride, Wuzhizhou Island is perfect for day trips or an overnight stay at the island’s hotel.

Address: Wuzhizhou Island, Haitang Bay, Sanya

Contact: +86 898 88751258

Website: www.wuzhizhou.com

Ticket: ￥168 per person (including ferry to the island)

Food and Drink: Chinese, Western, Seafood restaurants and Beach Bar

Transport : Bus 28 / Taxi

Times: 7.30am – 6.50pm

Yalong Bay

Yalong Bay is a major holiday destination in its own right, known throughout China for its beautiful 8 kilometre long beach and stunning scenery.

As well as boasting a number of 5-Star luxury resorts, Yalong Bay has a number of attractions for visitors including a range of water sports, a Marine Park, Seashell Museum, Butterfly Valley, golf courses and a wide choice beach front restaurants and bars to choose from.

Address: Yalong Bay National Resort District

Contact: +86 898 88568899

Butterfly Valley: ￥33 per person / 8.00am – 6.00pm

Seashell Museum: ￥53 per person / 8.00am – 6.00pm

Transport: Bus 25 and 15 / Taxi

Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone

Covering an area of 50 square kilometres, the park is divided into six distinct areas comprised of lushly vegetated parkland, picturesque scenic spots and a series of temples.

The Guinness Book of Records recognises the park’s gold and jade Guanyin statue as being the largest gold and jade buddha statue in the world.

Most spectacular is the 108 meter high statue of Guanyin set in the sea and visible from Phoenix Island on the far eastern side of Sanya Bay, you might also notice it as you come into land at Sanya’s Phoenix International airport.

This statue is considered by Buddhist authorities around the world to be a significant addition to world Buddhist culture.

Nanshan also has a large vegetarian restaurant which is well known for its healthy vegetarian Chinese dishes.

Address: Nanshan Village, Yacheng Town, Sanya

Contact: +86 898 88837888

Website: www.nanshan.com

Ticket: ￥150 per person

Food and Drink: Vegetarian Restaurant

Transport : Bus 16 & 25 / Taxi

Times: 8.00am – 5.30pm

Sanya Orchid World

The park is home to some 3000 species of orchid; 300 of which are rare and previously wild species.

The park is comprised of eight scenic areas designated by the different types of orchid habitat: ground growing, tree growing, rock growing, valley growing orchids and so on.

By the exit is a souvenir shop selling a range of orchid related items manufactured by the park such as orchid soaps, perfume and teas.

Address: The Front Entrance of Hongtang Bay, Tianya Town, Sanya

Contact: +86 898 38888688

Website: www.troporchid.com

Transport : Go to the Sanya Bus Station to take the bus to Gang Men Stop, the site is right there / Taxi

Ticket: ￥120 per person