'''Sanya''' (_O?) is on the southernmost point of China, at the tip of Hainan island.
Understand
Billed as "China's Hawaii", Sanya has long stretches of beach, water sports such as snorkeling and jet-skiing, rainforest hiking, and innumerable hotels ranging from one to five stars. However, Sanya is becoming more crowded and more polluted (refuse from tourism, unchecked construction) as each year passes. Islands and beaches that could have been compared to Hawaii a few years ago are still beautiful, but no longer pristine or secluded.
Even in January, temperatures hover around 30*C and the ocean is still warm enough to swim in without a wetsuit. Thus, Sanya is a popular escape for Russians fleeing sub-zero winters. Russians primarily stay at Dadong Hai(Great East Sea __?_C). Sanya is also a very popular vacation spot for Northern Chinese to escape cold, arid weather. Especially around Chinese New Year, the city will overflow with tourists. Fireworks will sound constantly, often being carelessly thrown around by children, for the weeks leading up to and the weeks after Chinese New Year.
Districts
Sanya can be divided into four tourist zones: Sanya Bay beach, Sanya Downtown, Dadong Hai (Great East Sea __?_C), and Yalong Bay (??_p).
Sanya Bay beach stretches for around 25 kilometers, but is rather polluted and devoid of swimmers. It's lined with seafood restaurants and hotels that range from 50 RMB per night to over 5,000 RMB.
Sanya city is filled with souvenir shops and street grills at night. Cross the Sanya River (_O?__) to reach a less touristy, cheaper, and more fun part of town.
Dadong Hai has Sanya's best balance between development and natural beauty. The town behind Dadong Hai is more expensive than Sanya, but has better restaurants and a gorgeous beach. The shopping, however, is not as good as Sanya city's.
Yalong Bay (??_p) is farther from Sanya city than Dadong Hai beach and has no restaurants other than those of the 3-4 star resorts along the beach. The beach is longer than Dadong Bay's, but is slightly colder, more crowded with jet skis, and less beautiful at sunset. Chinese guides may hype it up, but it's not worth the drive.
Get in
By plane
Sanya has an airport with flights to nearby Chinese cities such as Guangzhou, Zhuhai or Hong Kong. Fares vary significantly, depending on season and the particular tour. You may be able to save money by first busing to Haikou and flying out of the provincial capital's larger airport, but the bus ticket and overnight lodging can exceed the difference.
By bus
The 3.5 hour bus ride from Haikou will cost about 80 RMB. Buses between Haikou and Sanya depart about every 30 minutes; the last bus from Sanya to Haikou departs around 11PM. Sanya's bus station is along Jie Fang Lu (_____H), a few steps South (away from McDonalds) of the East end of "Shopping Street" (?_s_X).
By Train
Sanya can be reached directly by train from Beijing (35 hours), Shanghai (36 hours) and Guangzhou (15 hours). The whole train is loaded on to a ferry for the journey from mainland China to the Island, then continues its journey around the west coast as far as Sanya. As trains leaving the island originate in Sanya, tickets from this smaller town are easier to obtain than if leaving from Haikou.
The new train station in Sanya is far from downtown, approximately as far as the airport. A taxi to Dadong Bay_i__?_C_j, the most popular tourist area) is approximately 25-30 RMB. A public bus will cost 1 RMB. Lines 2 and 4 lead through the Sanya city proper and continue through (and past) Dadong Bay.
Get around
Many people stay in beach areas with more-or-less everything within walking distance. Darting in, around, and between Sanya city and Dadong Hai is best done by the city bus lines 2 (fastest) or 4 (adds some stops around Sanya River) for 1 RMB. The buses run along Sanya city's Jiefang Lu (_____H),which is the street McDonald's is on, and hit Dadong Bay at Luling Lu (__?_H), just one stop past the Deer Turns Head Square (____?__?)
Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Check that the driver uses the meter for all journeys or agree a price before commencing the journey for longer distances. Taxi drivers can often be rip-off artists. If you have a white or black face or sound like a rich mainlander they will often ask for at least double the price you would pay using the meter. A taxi from Sanya to Dadong Bay should cost about 8 RMB.
For trips farther out of town, you can buy bus tickets at Sanya city's bus station or just hail buses on the road that runs along Sanya's beach. Tickets to most destinations will be between 5 and 30 RMB. You could also hire a van with (or without) an English speaking guide from hotels or people with white and blue displays on the streets of Sanya City or Dadong Bay. Also [http://www.sanya-adv.cn/index.htm Sanya Adventure Tourism] will provide a van and guide. If choosing to go with a Chinese tour group, beware that there may likely be several hours of scheduled stops at "infomercial" centers, complete with microphone delivered advertisements.
You can also rent a motorbike or a car of your own. There are several places to do this, with (approx.) prices per hour (60RMB), 4 hours (150RMB), 8 hours (350RMB) or by week (1500RMB). Discounts are available outside peak times. It is not recommended that any inexperienced driver use a motorbike on the public roads on Hainan, which can be even less organized that mainland China's motor-ways.
Guides and interpreters are available from [http://www.sanyasunshine.com SanyaSunshine.com].
See
Perfume Bay (xiangshui wan _____p)
Two hours from Sanya by bus (see the bus station, tickets less than 30 RMB) plus a short 100m walk from the freeway (ignore all motorbike offers, or pay less than 4 RMB per person), this stretch of beach is rather undeveloped and thus delightfully peaceful (it will probably be only you for a good kilometer on either side). Visiting here is a delightful and mind-cleaning day trip, especially if joined with some hiking around the surrounding farms. Watch out for strong rip tides and pack snacks.
Dadong Hai (Great East Sea) (__?_C)
Predominantly Russian (in visitors and signage, there is little English here!) Dadong Hai has Sanya's best balance between development and natural beauty. The town behind Dadong Bay is more expensive than Sanya, but has better restaurants and a gorgeous beach. The shopping, however, is not as good as Sanya city's. The ocean has algae blooms that vary the water from thick green to tropically clear. However, even when "tropically clear" the ocean bed is just sand with a rare school of fish or eel. See the beach both in the morning, at sunset (sets gorgeously over the hills), and at night (when people are very scarce). Check out the trails that lead between tide pools along the Westernmost rocks of the beach. The tip of the trail has a dramatic view of the ocean and a deep and deadly ocean cave.
Nanwan Monkey Island (___p__?)
Actually a penninsula, Monkey Island is home to about 1800 endangered Macaque monkeys whose habitat you get to roam freely through. Be careful, these monkeys will jump on humans (playful) or attack for sweet drinks or food (hungry and thirsty)! There are also some circus-style comedy shows featuring monkeys doing stunts. Entrance ticket is 68 RMB and a round-trip ride on the gondola is another 60 RMB, but well worth the quiet, long, and smooth ride over gorgeous ocean-top fishing villages and jungle. From Sanya, take the Lingshui ____ bound bus from the bus station and then switch to the Xincun (_V__) bus and ride it to the end of the line. The park entrance will be 300 meters away.
Sanya Nanshan Temple (_O?___R__)
Sanya Nanshan Temple is purposefully-constructed tourist trap began in 1998 with a gigantic statue of Guanyin (a Goddess of Mercy) on a sea-top platform. The park has few interesting spots (save a monastery bells that you can "gong") but demands a hefty entrance fee over 150 RMB. A trolley car can shuttle you around the park for extra cash, but it's best enjoyed without the trolley as it really isn't that big. Nanshan is about an hour outside of Sanya city by city bus, which can be grabbed at the bus station or along the city's beach-side roadway (_O?_^_H). The surrounding countryside is much more interesting than the park itself, which is a must-miss.
Xisha Archipelago (_____Q?)
Gorgeous, remote, and brimming with tropical life, one of this chain of islands was formerly on exotic vacation spot that is now off-limits to travelers, reportedly due to territorial disputes.
Wuzhizhou Island (___x_F?)]
Wuzhizhou Island is a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving, this island has fallen victim to it's popularity. Water is less clear and fish less plentiful than before, so choose dates and times to maximize visibility when visiting. Scuba diving will cost around 400-500 RMB.
Do
'''Activities'''
[http://www.sanyacentral.com/index.php/tourist-city-guide/things-to-do.html] Has a complete and growing listing of activities for foreigners coming to Sanya and wanting to find things to do in Sanya; as well as a regular blog exposing some of the more hidden treasures for adventurers coming for vacation in Sanya, Hainan Island, China.
'''Cycling'''
[http://www.unrealasia.com Hainan Bike Tours]. Organisation run by expats offering cycling tours around Hainan.
'''Surfing'''
Hainan has pretty consistent surf most of the year. In the summer, the south winds bring waves to Sanya's south-facing beaches. In the fall through winter, the peak surf season, Hainan's east coast is the place to go. Hainan doesn't offer world-class waves, but it offers fairly consistent tropical surf, which is almost completely empty. See [http://www.surfinghainan.com Surfing Hainan] for surf reports, forecasts, and more information on Hainan surf.
Surfing in Hainan is a great activity for tourists who want to combine the physical excesize of surfing with the relaxation of a day at the beach. Despite what others may say, Hainan hides some of the best surf in the South Pacific, and is fairly consistent in both the winter and summer. See [http://www.sanyasurf.com Sanya Surf] for surfing in Sanya, forecasts, and more information on surfing in China 's best waves.
'''Water Sports'''
Yalong Bay, Dadong Bay, and Sanya Bay all have a collection of jet skiing, parasailing, paragliding, snorkeling, scuba diving, glass-bottomed boat, and beach ATV enterprises. Prices aren't generally very negotiable (save for scuba and snorkeling), but duration of the ride, however, can. Do not go too cheap on scuba, for obvious safety reasons.
[http://www.sanyaweb.com/activities_water_sports_diving_sanya.html Sanya Diving Guide]
'''Hiking'''
Sanya Bay and Fragrant Water Bay (_____p) are kilometers long and can be a very entertaining afternoon's walk. Sanya Bay is touristy near the city, but fades into nearly silent sections filled only with resting fishermen and wedding photographers. Fragrant Water Bay is newly developing and is nearly devoid of humans! Beware of strong rip tides while swimming. Outside of beach hikes, Five Finger Mountain (___w_R), a couple hours from Sanya, is an excellent place to spend the day. Hire a car to take you around the gigantic park's multiple scenic spots. Motorcycle side-cars can also be hired for the day for 100 RMB and sit two. Bring a sweater to fight the windchill as the motorcycle goes through shaded, windy roads.
Buy
The area produces pearls in abundance and they are sold everywhere.
Prices are highly negotiable; overcharging tourists is common.
Tour guides get a fat (often 50%!) commission for bringing tourists
to pearl shops; try to go without one and beat the price down.
Coconut powders and teas are also popular Chinese buys, but for Westerners looking for something less commercially produced... the cone-shaped hats that women wear here with pictures inscribed are only 5 RMB at The First Market (_____s?) in Sanya city. Lines 2 and 4 have a stop there. Don't head into the department store; instead, stick to the side of it and walk down the road filled with small shops and street vendors.
'''Corner Deli'''Located at RaiHai Shopping Park in Dadonghai, the deli offers a wide range of imported food and drinks. For anyone living in China and wanting to take back a few western groceries that can't normally be found, this small deli is worth the trip.
Sanya Surf. 86)13697583423. ttp://www.sanyasurf.com. 4. ree. www.sanyasurf.com is all about Hainan surf, surfing Hainan, Sanya Surf, and has photos and information for anyone who wants to surf Hainan Island.
Eat
Sanya Insider. ttp://www.sanyacentral.com. 4. REE. Sanya Central is a FREE tourist directory and classifieds for the Sanya community. It also includes a regular blog about Sanya, Dadonghai, and some other events in Hainan, China. For cheap hotels in Sanya, restaurants in Sanya, massage in Sanya, bars in Sanya, and other entertainment and professional services in China, the best free travel guide for Sanya is at www.sanyacentral.com
Street Food
A bit after sunset and well in to the A.M. hours, Sanya city's streets are filled with small barbeque stands, noodle stands, and other snack vendors. Not to be missed is Sanya's 0.5 RMB crispy tofu skewers flavored with green onion and seasame seeds (even if you don't like tofu normally, try this, it's amazing) and delicious fire-roasted eggplant. If you don't like spicy, be sure to inform the cook! If you do like to eat spicy food, you are in for a treat.
Tropical fruits are cheap and common. Pineapples are attractively peeled, but beware that they may be dipped in likely uncleanly water throughout the day and just before the final sale for the "fresh look".
Hainan is famous throughout China for its coconuts and they are worth trying, especially the "Red Coconuts" (?__). Away from the beach, expect to pay about 3 RMB for a coconut. Prices increase as you get closer and you may end up paying about 15 RMB for a coconut on the beach.
Restaurants
There are plenty of good restaurants, including many Sichuan places and some Cantonese. There's one McDonald's and two branches of KFC. Seafood is a beach city's speciality. Inspect the tanks for freshness before eating and beware of the different charges that are often handled by different people at the restaurant (fishery, cooking fee, and sitting fee can be separate). Shellfish go for 10-25 per "jin" (Chinese measurement unit equal to a half kilo).
Sanya Rainbow Bar & Grill 99 Yu Ya Road, Dadonghai; telephone: (86) 898 88215700. Western restaurant and sports bar with a wide selection of western favorites such as soups, salads, pasta, tex-mex, sandwiches, burgers and much more. There are usually good specials on draft beers and mixed drinks. Very friendly environment with countless big screen tv's showing all major sporting events around the globe. Also has typical bar games: pool, darts, foozball, ''etc''. Meals range from 20-50RMB. A second bar and grill, Rainbow 2, has been opened in Yu Ya Road, closer to the city centre, in the Time Coast area adjoining the Eadry resort.
'''Casual Caffe Snack Bar''', located at Dadonghai, near Rainbow Bar & Grill, this cafe offers a set breakfast special for 30RMB. For Lunch, the menu includes pastas, pizzas and a "create your own sandwich" menu. The restaurant has a relaxed and intimate feel and a friendly owner known to occasionally give out free samples of wines and desserts.
'''Marco Polo''', located right beside the Casual Caffe, Marco Polo offers a slightly more upscale take on Italian. The prices here are a bit more expensive (expect somewhere in the range of 50-100RMB for a meal, but the advertise as being the best Italian in Sanya. There is a large, outdoor seating area and the pizzas are highly recommended.
'''Mediterranea''', [http://www.mediterranea.cn/]. Good and inexpensive. The shisha lounge and relaxed atmosphere make this a perfect escape from Chinese tourists after a long day at the beach. Owned and run by a Mandarin speaking Sicilian chef.
Bohemian. oXiMiYa. o. 3 Phoenix City (San Yong Feng Huang Cheng). hoenix Road (Feng Huang Lu). 8882333. Newly-opened restaurant with an international menu. Prices range from very expensive (for things like Japanese beef or caviare) to very reasonable for more conventional Chinese dishes. Very well decorated and furnished and the service by waitresses wearing faux-Bavarian uniforms is exceptional.
Jing Fu Gong. o 4 Phoenix City. hoenix Road. 8295105. Korean restaurant run by South Koreans. Part of a chain - there's one in Haikou too. Very authentic, to the extent that it is a favourite for Korean tour groups who want a taste of home. Reasonable prices and attentive service. Right next door to the Bohemian (above).
Ba Guo Bu Yi. 17 Ying Bin Lu. 8685688. Sichuan restaurant, part of a chain. Good value. Menu in Chinese only but the glossy menus have pictures which give you a good idea of what you're ordering. The giant meatballs are delicious, as is the braised pork. As with all Sichuan restaurants, if you don't like it too spicy ask them to cut back on the chilli.
Drink
The most popular local brew is Anchor (actually Singaporean but produced in Hainan). Ask for the 'red label' or 'old' brew, which is the original. It's very hoppy and can be a great escape from Yanjing (____) or Qingdao (__?) beer. Those are available, of course, as well. There are also local pineapple-based beers. Odd, but worth a try.
"Red coconuts" (?__) are especially sweet, even if you just pop a straw straight into the coconut!
'''''Coffee Addict Warning''''' The vast majority of coffee shops here open around 10 or 11 AM. The Jiefang Lu (_____H) McDonald's has thus become a morning pilgrimage for many Westerners.
Coffee World. adongHai Beach. ocated in the Herton Seaview Hotel opposite Resort In Time at DaDonghai Beach. 6-898-8867-7995. ttp://www.emperorfoods.cn. 0:00 AM-12:30 PM. oderate. The finest International Coffee Brand in Sanya/DaDongai Beach with two locations. LeFloret Shopping Plaza at Yalong Bay's Crowne Plaza Hotel and at the Herton Seaview Hotel on Sanya's Dadonghai Beach''' opposite the Resort In Time Hotel. '''''''''''''
Sleep
Budget
In Sanya city and Dadonghai there are many small, clean moderately priced inns and hotels (50 to 100 RMB, even in high season, for 1-3 beds). Some may be located in alley ways just off Sanya's beach street, sometimes several floors up without an elevator (but the view is worth it!).
'''Blue Sky Hostel'''. International hostel in Dadonghai. 1 Lanhai Alley, Haiyun Road. Very clean and but more expensive than other hostels in China priced. The staff is extremely friendly, especially the owner, Peter, who speaks English, Russian and other languages. The hostel has many organized trips to offer all over Sanya and Hainan. It provides internet access, laundry service, food, drinks, towels, mats and hats for the beach. Scooters and motorcycles can be hired. It's a short walk away from the beach and is surrounded by good restaurants, fruit stands, a shopping center and bars. It's recently been refurbished: repainted, retiled and with new furniture from Ikea, including soft mattresses, a real luxury in China. E-mail sy.youthhostel@gmail.com Telephone +8613976829281
'''Eagle Backpackers Hostel'''. Another hostel in Dadonghai. Run by the charming and helpful Jane. They will help to arrange daytrips, activities, tasty breakfasts and plane tickets. Decent sized twin rooms with facilities are available for 120RMB. Internet, laundry, etc are all available.
Out around Yalong Bay and the more Northern end of Sanya Bay are many Western luxury hotels, of course at high prices.
'''[http://www.kempinski-sanya.com/en/hotel/index.htm Kempinski (??_z__?_X)]''' A true five-star hotel, it sits 30 minutes North the main Sanya city along the most secluded and beautiful beach in Sanya. Employees are warm and welcoming, speak English fluently, and groups sift the wide beach's sands to make it even softer. Their pool, which includes an in-water bar, is not heated in the winter and is colder than the ocean. Even if you don't stay here, it's an amazing retreat to sip a beer and hear only the sound of waves, unmarred by beach vendors or hundreds of children running to and fro.
'''[http://www.sanyagardenresort-hainan.com Sanya Royal Garden Resort]'''. Four-star resort along Dadonghai Beach. Offers 239 fully furnished rooms with lovely views of the mountains and Dadong Sea. The resort also has a restaurants, cafe, outdoor pool, conference rooms, and business center. Address: Luling Road, Dadonghai Beach.
'''[http://www.cpapfsanyaresort.com/ CPAPF Sanya Resort]''' equipped with modern business facilities, exceptional service, and a range of fun and relaxing amenities to suit every travelers needs. Choose from 193 rooms that look out to the clear blue sea. Address: 6 Sanya Bay Tourism Zone, Sanya, Hainan Province, China. Tel. No.: 86-898-88365598, Fax No.: 86-898-88333688.
[http://www.yinyunseascaperesort-sanya.com/ '''Yinyun Seascape Resort Sanya''']Haipo Development Zone, Sanya Bay. The resort is a charming 80-room hotel that evokes Hawaii more than China. Online booking available on the official website.
'''[http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/lien_externe.svlt?goto=fiche_hotel&code_hotel=6467&code_langue=gb&sourceid=wikitravelGB&merchantid=aff-accorCN Pullman Sanya Yalong Bay - _O???_p??___x_____X]''' With its own private beach.
Stay safe
There are many water sports activities such as parasailing, diving, and boating, but not all operators are trained and certified. Check oxygen tank pressures before diving.
There are a lot of people who prey on Chinese and foreign tourists alike -- beggars, prostitutes, legal and illegal taxi drivers, and vendors with overpriced or phony pearl items. Watch out especially for pickpockets. They are good at grabbing wallets, phones, bags etc as you get onto buses, and work in pairs. Another trick is to zoom past you on a motorbike and grab your bag.
Hainan is considered an active malaria region. It is recommended to take the usual precautions against malaria.
Be careful in the traffic. Road discipline is non-existent. Cars and motorcycles drive on both sides of the road, skip signal lights, and careen down sidewalks as if they had right of way. Honking is also ever-present, which can be irritating, but just try to imagine you are using sonar to navigate.
There have been reports of unprovoked violence against foreigners, mostly occuring at night outside of the clubs in the Dadonghai and Sanya City areas. Russian tourists have reported being insulted and sworn at by vendors. English-speaking tourists have reported epithets being yelled at them as well.