Phoenix Island
Sanya, China
Yalong Bay, Sanya
i
Photo: lienyuan lee, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Beach free; rentals extra
- Hours
- 24 hours, unofficially
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
i
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 3 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Public beach
- Free
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - You pay for
- Loungers, umbrellas, showers, water sports
- Public section
- Middle of the bay, by Yalong Bay Central Square
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - From downtown Sanya
- ≈ 25 km: taxi or DiDi 30–40 min, city bus about an hour
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - From Phoenix Airport (SYX)
- Taxi 30–40 min; bus 27 or an airport shuttle line
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Payment
- Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your foreign card, or cash in yuan
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Best time
- September to April; July–October is the wettest stretch
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Visa
- Hainan: 30 days visa-free for 61 countries, including the US, UK and Australia
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
≈ 7–7.5 kmof crescent-shaped beach
2 sourcesi
English Wikipedia and Travel China Guide (7.5 km)Chinese Wikipedia and chinatravel.com (about 7 km)Freeentry to the beach — only services cost money
2 sourcesi
Travel China GuideChina Discovery≈ 25 kmeast of downtown Sanya
2 sourcesi
Travel China Guidechinatravel.com30 daysvisa-free on Hainan for ordinary passports from 61 countries
Sourcei
National Immigration Administration of China, 20 August 2026亚龙湾the Chinese name, said “Yalongwan”
2 sourcesi
Chinese WikipediaWikidata Q8047513National resortthe bay is a state-designated tourism zone
Sourcei
English and Chinese WikipediaCoral reefsaround the bay's islands — for snorkelling and diving
2 sourcesi
Chinese Wikipediachinatravel.com22 °C+sea temperature off Sanya all year; Chinese Wikipedia gives about 20 °C in winter
2 sourcesi
English Wikipedia (Sanya)Chinese Wikipedia (亚龙湾)July–OctoberSanya's wettest months
Sourcei
English Wikipedia (Sanya), climate tableYalongwan stationthe bay has its own stop on Hainan's ring railway
2 sourcesi
English WikipediaChina DiscoveryIs Yalong Bay beach free and public?
Yes. The sand is free to visit and, according to travel guides, open 24 hours — there is no ticket gate. What costs money is everything on top: loungers and umbrellas, showers and lockers, jet skis, kayaks and dives.
The catch is that resorts line almost the whole shore, and their loungers, umbrellas and showers are for hotel guests. If you're not staying in the bay, head for the public section in the middle, around Yalong Bay Central Square, where you can rent a lounger and an umbrella. We couldn't confirm the exact boundaries from an official source.
How to get to Yalong Bay
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From downtown Sanya (Jiefang Road) the easy way is a taxi or DiDi: about 25 km, 30–40 minutes. Show the driver 亚龙湾中心广场 — Yalong Bay Central Square.
- By city bus: travel guides list route 15 from Dadonghai and the downtown streets, taking about an hour. Sanya's bus numbers change, so check the route in a map app before you board.
- From Sanya Phoenix Airport (SYX): taxi 30–40 minutes. Guides also mention city bus 27 and an airport shuttle line to the bay; we couldn't confirm their timetables.
- There's also Yalongwan railway station on the island's ring line, but you'll still need a taxi from the station to the sand.
- Going back, order a DiDi from Central Square — the app shows the fare before you book, so there's nothing to explain to the driver.
Is Yalong Bay worth it?
For a beach day, yes — it's the best all-round swimming beach in Sanya: finer sand, clearer water and a gentler slope than the city beaches. It's not a place for sightseeing or nightlife, though, and the resort-lined shore can feel private. Come for the sea, stay three or four hours, and spend the evening back in town.
If you're short on time and staying in town, Dadonghai gives you a decent swim without the 30-minute ride. If snorkelling is the goal, set expectations: it's pleasant, not Southeast-Asia spectacular.
Yalong Bay vs Dadonghai, Sanya Bay and Haitang Bay
| Yalong Bayyou are here | ≈ 25 km east of downtown | Free | Calm and clear | Resorts, few cafés | ≈ 30 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dadonghai | In town | Free | Shallow — waist-deep 15 m out | City, cafés, shops | A few minutes |
| Sanya Bay | Along the city, near the airport | Free | Coarser sand | City, restaurants | Close by |
| Haitang Bay | ≈ 28 km north-east | Free | Big waves, poor for swimming | New resorts, duty-free mall | ≈ 40 min |
Unofficial, from Travel China Guide and China Highlights. For swimming and snorkelling pick Yalong Bay; for an in-town base pick Dadonghai.
Best time to visit Yalong Bay
You can swim all year: English Wikipedia puts Sanya's sea above 22 °C in every month, while Chinese Wikipedia gives around 20 °C in winter. The most comfortable stretch is September to April, drier and less sticky. July to October brings the most rain.
Summer and autumn are also typhoon season. When a storm warning is issued, the city closes beaches, islands and boat trips until it passes, so build a spare day into your plans and watch the forecast. Chinese public holidays and the winter peak fill the public beach — go on a weekday or early in the morning.
Things to do at Yalong Bay
- Snorkel off the reef-fringed islands — Travel China Guide says you can see down to about 10 m in clear water.
- Jet skis, kayaks, sailing and guided dives — choose a licensed operator that gives a safety briefing.
- Start at Central Square, with its tall totem pole, and walk the sand in either direction.
- Ride up to Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park on the hills above the bay for trails, viewpoints and the glass bridge — separate ticket.
- Browse Hundred Flowers Valley shopping street and the International Rose Valley nearby.
- Walk the full length of the beach at dawn, before the heat and the jet skis.
Where to stay: in the bay or in town?
Staying in the bay is the simplest way to enjoy it. Front-row hotels sit right on the sand; second-row ones are across the road, usually under a kilometre away, and some run a free beach shuttle. Many resorts also offer airport pick-ups.
The trade-off is distance: restaurants, markets and day trips all mean a taxi. If you want both beach and town life, base yourself in Dadonghai and come out to Yalong Bay for the day.
Eating and safety on the beach
There are cafés and restaurants around the public beach and on Hundred Flowers Valley street; hotel restaurants cost noticeably more. With seafood, confirm the price per weight, the cooking fee and the total before you order. Swim in daylight where lifeguards are on duty, respect flags and closures, and use high-SPF sunscreen even in winter — the tropical sun burns fast.
Before you go: checklist
Ready: 0 of 6Tick what is ready — your ticks stay in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Sanya's beaches and waterfront compared
Every waterside place in Sanya rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Phoenix Island | 43 | 45 min | Free | 17.8 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dadonghai Bay | 38 | 2 h | Free | 14.3 km |
| Yalong Bayyou are here | 24 | 3 h | Free | — |
| Tianya Haijiao | 21 | 2 h | Free | 33.7 km |
| Nanwan Monkey Island | 20 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ ¥154 incl. return cable car | 40.3 km |
| Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Zone | 19 | 3 h | ≈ ¥130–160 with park train | 48.5 km |
| Yanoda Rainforest Park | 17 | 3 h 30 min | ≈ ¥168 incl. park shuttle | 27.6 km |
| Wuzhizhou Island | 16 | 4 h | 144 yuan incl. return ferry | 15.9 km |
A beach day with an evening in town
The forest park above the bay in the cool of the morning, the beach after lunch, then Dadonghai and the views from Luhuitou in the evening. YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park2 h 30 min · ¥158 incl. shuttle; bridges extra
- 98 min walk from the previous stopYalong Bayyou are here3 h · Beach free; rentals extra
- 248 min walk from the previous stopDadonghai Bay2 h · Free
- 40 min walk from the previous stopLuhuitou Park1 h 30 min · Free entry; cart 28 yuan return
4 places · about 15 h 26 min with walks · 386 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Arrive before 10 am — the sand is still cool and the light over the islands is better for photos.
- Ask the price before you lie down on a rental lounger, not after.
- Pair the beach with the forest park right above it.
- Avoid Chinese public holidays if you can — the public beach fills up by lunchtime.
- Carry your passport: dive shops and boat operators often ask for it.
Questions
Is Yalong Bay beach free?
Yes, the public beach is free. Loungers, umbrellas, showers and water sports cost extra, and the resort sections with their loungers are for hotel guests.
How do I get to Yalong Bay from Sanya?
Taxi or DiDi is quickest — about 30–40 minutes from downtown. Travel guides list city bus 15 from Dadonghai, taking about an hour; check the route in a map app first.
How far is Yalong Bay from Sanya airport?
Around 30–40 minutes by car from Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX). Many resorts in the bay offer airport pick-ups.
Is Yalong Bay worth visiting?
For swimming and a lazy beach day, yes — it's Sanya's best all-round beach. For nightlife and food, Dadonghai or downtown is better.
Yalong Bay or Dadonghai — which is better?
Yalong Bay for cleaner water and a longer, calmer beach; Dadonghai for a city base with cafés and shops. Many visitors stay in Dadonghai and come out for a day.
Can you snorkel at Yalong Bay?
Yes, around the islands in the bay, where there are coral reefs and clear water. It's enjoyable rather than world-class; book with a licensed operator.
When is the best time to visit Yalong Bay?
September to April, when it's drier and less humid. Summer and autumn bring heavy rain and typhoons, which can close the beach for a day or two.
Do I need a visa for Hainan?
Ordinary passport holders from 61 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and Australia, can stay on Hainan for up to 30 days without a visa, counted from the day after entry.
Is Yalong Bay the same as Ha Long Bay?
No. Yalong Bay is a beach in Sanya on China's Hainan Island; Ha Long Bay is a limestone seascape in northern Vietnam.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Yalong Bay, Sanya, Sanya Phoenix International Airport; Chinese Wikipedia: 亚龙湾; Wikidata Q8047513
- National Immigration Administration of China: Regional Visa-Free Entry Policies for Foreign Nationals, 20 August 2026
- Travel China Guide: Yalong Bay and Beaches in Sanya, updated 8 August 2025
- China Discovery: Yalong Bay; China Highlights: Sanya Travel Guide
- chinatravel.com: Yalong Bay Tourism Zone; goasia.cc: Yalong Bay, 20 October 2026; sunnyhainan.com — getting around Sanya
Top YesGo picks: Sanya
Dadonghai Bay
Sanya, China
Luhuitou Park
Sanya, China
Tianya Haijiao
Sanya, China
Nanwan Monkey Island
Sanya, China
Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park
Sanya, China
Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Zone
Sanya, China
Yanoda Rainforest Park
Sanya, China