Sanya is a city on China’s Hainan Island and is a tropical paradise with white sand beaches, stylish holiday resorts, beautiful forest parks and some amazing restaurants. There are so many wonderful things to do in Sanya from swimming and sunbathing to snorkeling, diving, boat trips and more.
Some of the top Sanya tourist attractions include Sanya Bay beach which stretches for almost 10 miles (17 km), lively Dadonghai, Linchunling Forest Park, the surfer’s paradise at Houhai and Wuzhizhou Island.
I lived in Sanya for six months in 2021 and can safely say it was one of the best experiences of my life (so much so that I’m thinking about moving back there). With so many amazing places to visit in Sanya you won’t be bored for a second.
Boring stuff: I have visited each of the places I recommend and give you my honest opinion, warts and all. All photos are my own unless otherwise stated and may not be reproduced without permission. Affiliate links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Update: 15th March 2023: From 15th March 2023 China has resumed visa-free travel to Hainan Island (including Sanya) for 30 days. Citizens from 59 countries including the UK, many European countries and New Zealand. This applies to people flying into Sanya as well as arrival by cruise ship. See here for more details.
Now that you can visit Sanya visa-free there really is no excuse not to visit this little slice of paradise. I will be making my way back there very soon!
Where is Sanya
The city is located on Hainan Island which is China’s southernmost province. Sanya is only 493km from Hanoi in Vietnam, whereas Beijing is 2,500km away.
Top Things to do in Sanya
Sanya is famed for its many beaches including Sanya Bay, Dadonghai, Yalong Bay, Houhai and Haitang Bay. There are many activities available from swimming, kayaking and snorkelling to diving and boat trips. There are plenty of great things to do in Sanya so you will not be bored!
The Best Beaches in Sanya
1. Explore Sanya Bay Beach (One of the Best Things to do in Sanya)
Sanya Bay is 22km of palm-tree-lined sandy beach located in the heart of the city. The farther west you travel along the beach, the nicer and quieter it becomes. This gorgeous stretch of golden sand seems to go on forever. It’s great for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling as well as picnicking on the beach.
If you come in the late afternoon you can watch the fishermen bring in the day’s catch (and even lend a hand as my friend did). Sanya Bay Beach is walkable from the city centre or you can take the tram which runs between Sanya Railway Station and the beach.
2. Chill at Dadonghai (One of the Best Places to Visit in Sanya)
Dadonghai is a thriving suburb of the city with a smaller beach lined with bars, restaurants and clubs. This is where you will find the young and fashionable crowd as well as many Russian tourists. The best nightlife in Sanya can be found here at places such as Dolphin Bar & Grill and Manhattan.
There is a large and pleasant park overlooking the beach and a large boardwalk packed with bars, restaurants and nightclubs. I used to come down here every day and work in one of the cafes or bars underneath the palm trees.
3. Xiaodonghai
Dadonghai’s quieter neighbour Xiadonghai lies just around the headland with a beautiful stretch of beach lined by some (expensive) bars and restaurants as part of the Intercontinental Resort (you don’t need to be a guest to use the beach or restaurants). Definitely something of a “hidden gem” as it is rarely very busy.
This “hidden gem” is one of the best places to visit in Sanya if you want to escape the crowds of Dadonghai! This is one of my favourite places to visit in Sanya as it is always quiet and there are some great bars and restaurants including the German-style Beer Factory.
4. Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area
Underwhlming Tianya Haijiao is a slightly tacky and overpriced tourist beach 15km west of the city. There are some interesting rock formations in the sea, but not worth the steep entrance fee of over ¥100. Instead, head to the nearby village of Tianja (see below). Take buses 14, 16, 25, 55 or 57.
Interesting fact: Tianya Haijiao means “End of the Earth” in Mandarin.
5. Tianya Bay
Picturesque Tianya, sometimes known locally as “fake Greece” for its whitewashed buildings with blue roofs and window-frames, is a pleasant small village next to a stretch of sandy beach.
Bars and restaurants line the beach, some of which have small infinity swimming pools you can use if you buy a beer! Easily reachable by bus from downtown Sanya. Take buses 14, 16, 25, 55 or 57.
Visiting Tianya is one of my top Sanya things to do as the area is so unique for China.
6. Yalong Bay
Popular Yalong Bay is another Sanya beach 16km east of downtown Sanya. Plenty of shops and restaurants and it can get quite busy during holidays. Easily reachable by buses 15, 24 and 25 from Sanya.
There are lots of upmarket hotels and resorts around Yalong Bay an it makes for a quiter holiday compared to Sanya City (but without many of the amenities). It’s worth going for a day trip and I made a few (namely to go to Burger King).
If you have your own transport, follow Longxi Road to the west for a stunning stretch of coastal highway (that culminates in a dead-end after a few miles).
7. Houhai
Trendy Houhai is the surfing capital of China and has a laid-back, bohemian vibe. Here you will find the hippest people hitting the waves before attending barbeques and dance parties on the beach until the small hours. There are lots of bars and restaurants lining the beach.
Houhai is one of the best places to visit in Sanya for surfing and nightlife with some seriously cool bars. Be sure to check out my favourite which has a full moon party each night (not like the ones in Thailand though).
It takes around an hour to reach Houhai by e-bike or you can take a bus or taxi from downtown Sanya. This is also where to come for ferries to Wuzhizhou Island (see below for more).
8. Lingshui Bay
Deepwater (Lingshui) Bay is a resort area 40km east of Sanya and makes a nice escape from the city. I stayed at one of the serviced apartments here for a week and the views were phenomenal. There is a wide stretch of sandy beach lined with palm trees making it a real tropical paradise.
There are a few restaurants and shops, but this is really a Chinese resort and you won’t find any foreigners here or anything geared towards a foreign market.
9. Haitang Bay
Haitang Bay is home to many expensive hotels and resorts, including the famous Hotel Atlantis with its large indoor aquarium. A good selection of restaurants, including one where you can dine alongside the fishes, rays and turtles of another aquarium.
This is the poshest area near Sanya and has more of a family vibe. The Atlantis has a water park and is home to Gorden Ramsey’s Bread Street Kitchen. Whether you stay at the resort or not, you can go inside the hotel to see the Aquarium in the lobby.
For those with serious amounts of cash to spare, it’s possible to spend the night in a room that has glass walls and ceiling looking into the aquarium (one day I’ll stay there). Check the prices on Booking.com.
10. Riyue Bay
Another surfers’ paradise, Riyue Bay has a nice stretch of coastline 75km east of the city. The beach backs onto a large jungle wilderness area and the views are mesmerizing. This is a great place for surfing, hiking and camping. Perfect for those wanting to escape the city and get out into nature.
There are lots of restaurants and a few beach shacks and even a small skate park. There is no public transport from Sanya so you’ll need your own vehicle or to book a taxi (Didi).
Sanya Islands
There are many small islands around the Sanya area including Xi (West) Island, Wuzhizhou Island and more. These islands offer more activities than the beaches.
11. Coconut Island
Untouched Coconut Island is a small island and lagoon to the north of Haitang Bay. It is an area popular with hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. You will need to take a taxi from the city the 30km as it is not served by public transport. Just off the main G98 road at Haitangwan.
12. Wuzhizou Island
One of the more popular tourist islands, Wuzhizou Island has much to offer including white, sandy beaches, hiking, snorkeling, diving and other water sports. You’ll find some of the bluest waters around Sanya here and white sand beaches straight from a picture-postcard.
I spend a day on Wuzhizhou and hiked around the island taking in the stunning views. Boats leave from Wuzhizou Wharf at Houhai village every 20 minutes from 08:00 to 16:00 (crossing takes around 20 minutes).
13. Xi (West) Island
West Island (Xi Dao) is quieter than Wuzhizou and is home to some of Hainan’s ethnic people. There are similar activities such as snorkeling, diving and hiking on offer. This is one of the best Sanya things to do if you want to escape the crowds and the hustle of the city.
The ferry sets off from close to Tianja Haijou 13km west of the city on Hai Yu West Road. Take bus 25, 26 or 57.
Parks & Nature
Sanya is home to many large parks and nature areas. There are two large rivers running through the centre of the city with mangroves on either side. For a real taste of jungle wilderness, one of the best things to do in Sanya is to take a short ride out into the jungle surrounding the city is a must!
14. Luhuitou Park
An underwhelming “park” that mostly consists of a paved road, a very small park area and a couple of cafes at the top of a hill. Luhuitou Park is not worth the entrance fee as better views can be had elsewhere for free.
Location: Luling Road (between Dadonghai and Xiaodonghai)
Entrance Fee: ¥35
Opening Hours: 07:30 – 21:00
Time needed for visit: Under one hour
15. Linchunling Forest Park
A large park 3km east of Sanya Bay includes forest-covered hills with a large pavilion at the top offering stunning views of the city and surrounding areas. There are around 3,000 steps on the round-trip hike, which doesn’t have much shade.
This is one of my favourite parks in Sanya and on one visit I was lucky enough to see a Chinese Cobra, so be aware of snakes and don’t go putting hands and feet where you can’t see them.
Location: Luling Road Fenghuang Road. The entrance is across from the large tree-shaped apartment buildings.
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 24hr
Time needed for visit: 2 hours
16. Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park
If you’re looking for untouched rainforest, then you won’t find it at this busy amusement-type park, but Yalong Bay Tropical Forest Park is a pleasant place with landscaped gardens, lush jungle and great views and restaurants/shops.
There is an Indian Jones-type rope bridge high above the jungle which I crossed (slowly and carefully as it was a little unnerving). There is also a glass-bottomed bridge.
Location: Yalong Wan Lu, Yalong Bay
Entrance Fee: ¥50
Opening Hours: 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Sunday.
Time needed for visit: 2 hours
17. Yanoda Rainforest Tropical Park
A typical Chinese attraction where nature isn’t deemed impressive enough so needs to add pointless extras like a small zoo, shooting range and plastic dinosaurs hiding in the bushes.
The hiking trails become a little more interesting the farther from the main tourist attractions you get. There is also a glass walkway, zip-line and death-defying swing ride.
I took the bus here from Sanya with a friend and it was a pleasant day finished up with a couple of beers in one of the restaurants. Yanoda is a good place for families to get a feel of the rainforest without having to venture off on your own.
Location: Yanoda, Highway G224
Entrance Fee: ¥136
Opening Hours: 09:00am to 7:00pm Mon-Sun
Time needed for visit: 3 hours
18. Jiangfeng Ridge National Forest Park
Ranked one of China’s top 10 most beautiful forests by National Geographic, Jiangfeng Ridge is around 90km west of the city. I drove here with a friend and climbed the mountain which took around four hours up and down.
Afterwards we drove through the park deeper into the rainforest to a river where we swam and picnicked. The scenery was out of this world and it was an incredible experience.
You need a vehicle to reach the different sites in the park such as the hiking trail to the 1,600m ridge, lake and river walkway. Highly recommended for the pristine and almost unspoilt nature, but difficult (almost impossible) without your own hire car.
Location: Off Highway G98 near Jianfeng
Entrance Fee: ¥40
Opening Hours: 07:00 – 22:00
Time needed for visit: At least 1 day
19. Sanya Paddy Fields
You will find paddy fields and rice terraces all over Hainan Island and around Sanya. There is a designated tourist “Paddy Field National Park” near Yalong Bay which has a tacky light show at night, but you are better off just visiting one of the authentic ones on your own (easily reachable by E-bike or bus from the city).
20. Wuzhizou City
Wuzhizhou is a city in the middle of the rainforest 50 miles from Sanya. There are daily buses which take around two hours. This was one of my absolute highlights and there are trails into the rainforest, a spa resort and lots of mountains to climb.
Although it’s called a city in reality it’s just a small town. There are some decent hotels at reasonable prices and lots of shops and restaurants. You won’t find any international brands like McDonalds or Starbucks though unlike in larger Chinese cities.
Sanya Weather
Sanya has a tropical climate and is warm and sunny year-round. Winter is the best time to visit when it’s not so hot and humid. The monsoon season lasts from July to September when rainfall is highest.
December to March is the best time to visit before the heat of the summer. It can get very busy around Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) so if you don’t like crowds, avoid this time.
Getting to Sanya!
Sanya is easily reachable from mainland China by plane, boat and even train! Flight time from Beijing is 4 to 4.5 hours and costs from ¥1,500 ($230). You can book cheap flights through Trip.com.
There is a direct train from Beijing and two trains per day from Guangzhou. Journey time is 40 hours from Beijing and 12 hours from Guangzhou. You can book tickets directly through Trip.com.
Places to stay in Sanya
I have stayed in the following hotels, apartments and hostels and can personally recommend each one. Check out my complete guide to hotels in Sanya for the best options.
Sanya Backpackers Hostel (Dadonghai)
A lively hostel in the centre of Dadonghai a few hundred metres from the beach. Includes outdoor bar and pool table. Dorms from ¥70 ($11) per night and singles from ¥200 ($30). Reserve your bed.
Wanghaisu Seaview Guesthouse (Sanya Bay)
Slightly down-at-heel apartments right across from the beach and with a nice onsite pool. ¥200 ($30) per night.
Yuejia Sea Apartment Phoenix Island (Sanya Bay)
Excellent serviced apartments with stunning views across Sanya Bay. Onsite restaurants, bars and a free shuttle on and off the island. Highly recommended! ¥300 ($46) per night. Reserve your room.
Lingshui Coral Palace (Lingshui Bay)
Very pleasant serviced apartments right on the beach. Large garden with swimming pools. From ¥200 ($30) per night. Reserve your room.
FAQs about the Best Things to do in Sanya
Sanya is definitely worth visiting. Whether you like spending days sunbathing at the beach, diving and snorkelling, taking boat trips or exploring the lush jungle and rainforest lapping at the city, there’s something for you.
Sanya Bay Beach is one of the best beaches in Sanya as it stretches for miles. Dadonghai beach is perfect for those looking for a little entertainment as there are lots of bars and restaurants along the boardwalk.
Sanya is a girls name. The area is also known as Tianya Haijiou which means “end of the earth”.
China has many tropical cities from Gaungzhou and Hong Kong to Shenzhen, Xiamen and Zhuhai. However the most famous tropical city in China is definitely Sanya on Hainan Island.
Final Thoughts
Now you know what do do in Sanya. Experience golden sandy beaches and island to tropical rainforest, gorgeous parks and the best seafood in China.
There are many great things to do in Sanya and it is one of the best places to visit in China if you are looking for that tropical beach holiday!
It’s so nice in fact that after my first visit in January 2021, I packed up my things and moved there for the next six months! So, what are you waiting for, book your trip today?!
About the author:
Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, lived in Armenia, China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.
Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of the world by train, bus and boat. He has been interviewed multiple times by the BBC and recently featured in the documentary Scariest Places in the World. See the About page for more info.
Where I am now: Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲