Surrounded by mountains and rainforests,
Sanya is the southernmost city on Hainan Island,and its warm
weather and miles of pristine beaches make it perfect for
sun-chasers.
Its history dates back thousands of years,
but today it's frequented by cruise ships that grace the port and
deliver tourists to a superb, tropical-island paradise.
With almost 30 miles (50km) of coastline,
there are multiple beaches to choose from. Dadonghai Beach is
located an easy 1.5 miles (3km) from the centre of Sanya. Good
facilities, warm waters and many water sports activities make this
beach popular with locals and tourists alike. Visitors must look
out for the endangered Chinese White Dolphins, which have appeared
more and more in the area since conservation began in 1993.
Beaches along Yalong Bay are packed with
luxury hotels and resorts, while travellers with tighter budgets
generally stay further inland. While the city's coasts are worth
visiting, they're not quite as good as the beaches found on nearby
islands. The butterfly shaped island of Wuzhizhou is known for its
incredible coral reefs, and is a fine choice for scuba divers
Alternatively, nature lovers may enjoy
Nanwan Monkey Island: a reserve for macaque monkeys. It can be
reached by China's longest oversea ropeway, affording incredible
views over the bay and the surrounding archipelagos.
Nanshan Temple is a must-see. Built to
commemorate 2,000 years of Buddhism in China, it's situated on the
southernmost mountain in the country, and comprises a series of
Buddhist structures meant to create a quiet atmosphere for
reverence and contemplation. Built on an artificial island 500m
into the sea, the statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin is over 350ft
(108m) tall and is undoubtedly the highlight.
Rainforests surrounding Sanya are easily
accessible from just outside the city. The Yalong Bay Tropical
Paradise Forest Park offers hikes, tours and mountaineering
expeditions to beautiful waterfalls and caves. Adrenaline junkies
can also enjoy zip-lining and abseiling down some of the
mountains.
Sanya's food is historically made using
simple seafood and vegetables flavoured with yellow chillies and
ginger. Travellers must be sure to try the Dongshan Lamb, Jiaji
Duck and Hele Crab at one of the many top restaurants. For a truly
immersive experience, visitors should explore some of Sanya's food
markets, such as the First Market next to Hexi Road. Shoppers will
find weird and wonderful delicacies, including dried seahorses and
snakehead fish.
Ultimately, Sanya is great for an island
getaway with a Chinese flavour. Visitors tend to come for the
gorgeous beaches, but often extend their stay owing to the glorious
food and surrounding natural beauty.
