# Things to do in Sanya: top sights and where to go > Sanya stretches along Hainan's south coast: the city beaches of Sanya Bay and Dadonghai sit below Luhuitou hill with Phoenix Island just offshore, Yalong Bay and its rainforest park are 25 minutes east, and the boulders of Tianya Haijiao and the 108-metre Guanyin of Nanshan lie 20–40 km west. Give the first day to the city and Yalong Bay; keep a second for Nanshan and Tianya Haijiao, or for Wuzhizhou Island, Yanoda and Monkey Island. Web page: https://yesgo.io/china/sanya ## Ready itineraries - [One day in Sanya: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/in-1-day.md): Phoenix Island's towers, Luhuitou hill with its deer statue and city view, Dadonghai beach and the evening lights over the bay — in order, by taxi, with lunch. - [2 days in Sanya: an itinerary day by day](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/in-2-days.md): Phoenix Island, Luhuitou and Dadonghai first; then the west coast — the granite boulders of the End of the World park and Nanshan's 108 m Guanyin above the sea. ## All 10 places with the YesGo score - [Phoenix Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/phoenix-island.md): YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free from the shore; island by booking. Phoenix Island (凤凰岛) is an artificial island in Sanya Bay, a couple of kilometres from downtown, crowned by five egg-shaped towers. It… - [Dadonghai Bay](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/dadonghai.md): YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free. Dadonghai is Sanya's city beach, about 3 km from downtown: a crescent of sand roughly 3 km long, free and open around the clock. Swim in… - [Luhuitou Park](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/luhuitou-park.md): YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free entry; cart 28 yuan return. A hilltop park on the Luhuitou headland between Dadonghai and Sanya Bay, topped by a 12-metre granite deer statue and the best panorama of… - [Yalong Bay](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yalong-bay.md): YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Beach free; rentals extra. Yalong Bay (亚龙湾) is a crescent of fine white sand about 7 km long, roughly 25 km east of downtown Sanya on Hainan. The public beach is… - [Tianya Haijiao](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/tianya-haijiao.md): YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free, advance booking required. Tianya Haijiao (天涯海角, “the edge of the sky, the corner of the sea”) is a stretch of coast scattered with giant granite boulders, 23–24 km… - [Nanwan Monkey Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/nanwan-monkey-island.md): YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ ¥154 incl. return cable car. Nanwan Monkey Island (南湾猴岛) is a macaque reserve on a forested peninsula in Lingshui County, an hour to 90 minutes' drive from Sanya… - [Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yalong-bay-forest-park.md): YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ¥158 incl. shuttle; bridges extra. Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park (亚龙湾热带天堂森林公园) is rainforest on the hills above Yalong Bay, with a rope bridge, a glass skywalk… - [Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Zone](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/nanshan-temple.md): YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ ¥130–160 with park train. Nanshan is a seaside Buddhist park 40 km west of downtown Sanya, with a working temple, gardens and the 108-metre Guanyin of the South Sea… - [Yanoda Rainforest Park](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yanoda.md): YesGo score 17/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h 30 min · ≈ ¥168 incl. park shuttle. Yanoda is a tropical rainforest park in the hills of Baoting County, 35 km north of Sanya, with boardwalks, waterfalls, cable cars and a… - [Wuzhizhou Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/wuzhizhou-island.md): YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · 144 yuan incl. return ferry. Wuzhizhou Island (蜈支洲岛) is a small coral island in Haitang Bay, about 30 km north-east of downtown Sanya, with the clearest water around… ## Sanya travel guide Before you go: Yalong Bay and Dadonghai, Wuzhizhou Island, Nanshan Temple, which bay to stay in, the airport, visa and weather. ## Trip essentials - How many days: 7–10 days: beach, islands, parks - When to go: November–April: dry, ≈ 26–31° by day - Visa: Depends on your passport — Hainan has its own 30-day visa-free list - Paying: Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card - Airport: Phoenix (SYX) ≈ 15 km from the centre - Sea: South China Sea: swimmable all year - Bays: Yalong, Haitang, Dadonghai, Sanya Bay - Summer: Hot, rainy, typhoon season - Internet: Google, WhatsApp, YouTube blocked — roaming eSIM - Time zone: UTC+8 all year ## Key facts - **18° N** — Sanya is China’s southernmost big resort, in the tropics (source: Wikipedia, “Sanya”) - **108 m** — height of the Guanyin statue standing in the sea at Nanshan (source: Wikipedia, “Guan Yin of the South Sea of Sanya”) - **30 days** — visa-free in Hainan for citizens of 61 countries (source: National Immigration Administration of China) - **≈ 7 km** — length of the Yalong Bay beach (source: Wikipedia, “Yalong Bay”) ## Things to do in Sanya The best things to do in Sanya are the beaches of Yalong Bay and Dadonghai, snorkelling at Wuzhizhou Island, Nanshan Temple with its sea-facing Guanyin, the Tianya Haijiao park, Luhuitou hill’s city view, the Yanoda rainforest park and Monkey Island. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above. | Where | What to see | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | **Yalong Bay** | [Bay](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yalong-bay), [forest park](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yalong-bay-forest-park) | 1 day | | **City** | [Dadonghai](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/dadonghai), [Luhuitou](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/luhuitou-park) | ½ day | | **Sanya Bay** | [Phoenix Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/phoenix-island) | evening | | **West** | [Nanshan](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/nanshan-temple), [Tianya Haijiao](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/tianya-haijiao) | 1 day | | **Haitang Bay** | [Wuzhizhou](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/wuzhizhou-island) | 1 day | | **Hills and islands** | [Yanoda](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yanoda), [Monkey Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/nanwan-monkey-island) | ½ day each | Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–2 days, with places in a sensible order. ## Where to stay in Sanya: which bay Where to stay in Sanya depends on the bay: Yalong Bay for white sand, clear water and big resorts; Dadonghai for town life, cafés and cheaper hotels; Sanya Bay for a long city beach near the airport; Haitang Bay for new resorts and the huge duty-free mall. | Bay | Best for | Keep in mind | | --- | --- | --- | | **Yalong Bay** | Best sea, resorts | ≈ 30 min to town | | **Dadonghai** | Town, cafés, budget | Crowded beach | | **Sanya Bay** | Sunsets, near the airport | Waves, cloudier water | | **Haitang Bay** | New resorts, shopping | ≈ 40 min to the centre | ## Sanya airport to the bays Sanya Phoenix International (SYX) is ≈ 15 km northwest of the centre: 20–30 minutes by taxi to Dadonghai and Sanya Bay, 30–40 minutes to Yalong Bay. Airport buses run to the bays, and there is a high-speed rail station at the airport. | How | To | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | **DiDi taxi** | Dadonghai | ≈ 25 min | | **DiDi taxi** | Yalong Bay | ≈ 30–40 min | | **Transfer** | Your hotel | ≈ 20–40 min | | **Airport bus** | The bays | ≈ 40 min – 1 h | ## Sanya weather by month Sanya is tropical: the best time to visit is November to April — dry, ≈ 26–31 °C by day, with the sea at 24–27 °C. May to October is hotter and wetter, with typhoons possible from July to October. You can swim all year. - **January in Sanya** (best time): day ≈ 26°C, night ≈ 19°C, sea ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 3. About 26°, dry, sea ≈ 24°. - **February in Sanya** (best time): day ≈ 27°C, night ≈ 20°C, sea ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 2. Dry; Spring Festival crowds. - **March in Sanya** (best time): day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 22°C, sea ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 3. About 29° — a great time. - **April in Sanya** (best time): day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 5. About 31°, sea ≈ 27°. - **May in Sanya**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 10. Hotter; rains begin. - **June in Sanya**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 26°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 13. Hot and rainy. - **July in Sanya**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 26°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 13. Heat, downpours, typhoons. - **August in Sanya**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 15. Rain and typhoons. - **September in Sanya**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 15. The wettest stretch. - **October in Sanya**: day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 12. About 30°; typhoons still possible. - **November in Sanya** (best time): day ≈ 28°C, night ≈ 22°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 6. About 28°, the season begins. - **December in Sanya** (best time): day ≈ 26°C, night ≈ 20°C, sea ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 3. About 26° — the best time. Spring Festival (January–February) and the first week of October are peak price periods. ## What to eat in Sanya Sanya eats seafood and Hainanese cooking. At the Didong seafood market you choose the catch and a café next door cooks it. Also try Wenchang chicken, coconuts and tropical fruit. - **Wenchang chicken** — poached, with rice cooked in chicken stock. - **Market seafood** — pick it and hand it to a café to cook. - **Coconut rice** — sweet sticky rice baked in a coconut. - **Fruit** — mango, rambutan and dragon fruit at every market. ## Sanya ticket prices Yalong Bay and Dadonghai beaches, and the view of Phoenix Island from shore, are free. You pay for Nanshan, Tianya Haijiao, Yanoda, the Yalong Bay forest park, Monkey Island and Wuzhizhou Island with its ferry. - [Phoenix Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/phoenix-island) — Free from the shore; island by booking - [Dadonghai Bay](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/dadonghai) — Free - [Luhuitou Park](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/luhuitou-park) — Free entry; cart 28 yuan return - [Yalong Bay](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yalong-bay) — Beach free; rentals extra - [Tianya Haijiao](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/tianya-haijiao) — Free, advance booking required - [Nanwan Monkey Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/nanwan-monkey-island) — ≈ ¥154 incl. return cable car - [Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yalong-bay-forest-park) — ¥158 incl. shuttle; bridges extra - [Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Zone](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/nanshan-temple) — ≈ ¥130–160 with park train - [Yanoda Rainforest Park](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yanoda) — ≈ ¥168 incl. park shuttle - [Wuzhizhou Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/wuzhizhou-island) — 144 yuan incl. return ferry ## Tips - The tropical sun is fierce even on cloudy days — sunscreen and a hat are a must. - Take the first morning ferry to Wuzhizhou: by midday the island is crowded. - At the seafood market, agree the cooking fee first — it is charged separately. ## Questions ### Is Sanya worth visiting? Yes, for a tropical beach holiday in winter, clear water at Yalong Bay and Wuzhizhou, and easy day trips to temples and rainforest parks. ### Do I need a visa for Sanya? It depends on your passport: Hainan has its own 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of 61 countries, separate from mainland rules. Check the official list for your passport. ### What is the best beach in Sanya? Yalong Bay for the clearest water and sand; Dadonghai for convenience; Haitang Bay for new resorts. ### What is the weather like in Sanya in December? About 26 °C by day and 20 °C at night, with the sea near 25 °C — dry and sunny. ### When is the best time to visit Sanya? November to April, outside the rainy and typhoon season, avoiding Spring Festival peaks. ### How do I get from Sanya airport to Yalong Bay? By DiDi taxi or transfer in 30–40 minutes, or by airport bus. ### Where can I snorkel in Sanya? At Wuzhizhou Island in Haitang Bay and off Yalong Bay; visibility is best in the dry season. ### When is typhoon season in Sanya? Mainly July to October; check forecasts before boat trips. ### How do I pay in Sanya? With Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card; carry some cash for markets. ### What to do in Sanya with kids? Monkey Island, Yanoda’s rope bridges, and the gentle beaches of Yalong Bay and Dadonghai. ## Sources - Wikipedia, “Sanya”; “Guan Yin of the South Sea of Sanya”; “Yalong Bay”; Sanya climate (1991–2020 normals) - National Immigration Administration of China — Hainan visa-free entry - Sanya Phoenix International Airport — official website Facts checked: 09.11.2026 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.