Surrounded by mountains and rainforests, Sanya is the
southernmost city on Hainan Island. Its warm weather and miles of
pristine beaches make it perfect for sun-chasers.
Sanya's history dates back thousands of years. Today, cruise
ships grace the port and deliver tourists to a superb,
tropical-island getaway.
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 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. Travellers with tighter budgets can stay at hotels farther
inland.
While the city's coasts are worth visiting, they're not quite as
good as 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
Nature lovers may enjoy Nanwan Monkey Island: a reserve for the
macaque monkeys. The reserve can be reached by China's longest
oversea ropeway, which affords an incredible view over the bay and
the surrounding archipelagos.
Nashan Temple is a must-see. Built to commemorate 2000 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. The
Guanyin of Nansha is undoubtedly the highlight. Built on an
artificial island 500m into the sea, the statue of the Bodhisattva
Guanyin is over 350ft (108m) tall.
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 scenic
waterfalls and caves. Alternatively, thrill seekers will 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.
