Sanya is situated on the southernmost tip of Hainan Province. Covering an area of 1919.58 square kilometers (about 741 square miles) with 209.1 kilometers (about 130 miles) long coastline, Sanya has many natural advantages. Possessing a number of excellent harbors, Sanya is an important port for import and export of trade with foreign countries. Therefore, Sanya is also named the “South Gate of China” to stress its importance while it plays a vital role in the life of the southern part of China in areas of the economy and politics to transportation.
However, for most visitors, Sanya is a noted tourist resort with mountains, sea, river and city. The favorable climate is hot in summer but warm in the three other seasons so attracting large numbers of followers from both home and abroad every year. The whole of Sanya is related to the sea. Here you can enjoy a unique tropical. You can relax totally here by strolling along the beaches and breathing the fresh air.
I. Scenic Spots
The view of bright sunshine, blue water and wide beaches at Sanya, the southernmost tip of Hainan Province, attracts many regular visitors from both home and abroad year upon year. It is said that Sanya has the most well-preserved and beautiful beaches in all of China. All of the destinations of Sanya are linked to water, hence it attains its reputation as being the “oriental Hawaii”. Now, Sanya is well known and admired as a famous coastal tourist city, with a favorable climate that includes good sunshine, seawater, beaches, green vegetation and pure air.
Tianya Haijiao
Tianya Haijiao (or Tian Ya Hai Jiao, the Edge of Sky and the Rim of Sea) a romantic and beautiful scenic spot, lies to the west of Sanya City, Hainan Province. It receives many visitors from home and abroad every year since its open in 1988.
The Tianya Haijiao Scenic Spot sits on Maling Mountain facing the sea. Walking along the seashore, you will see a stone carved with four characters Nan Tian Yi Zhu, which means “a pillar standing in the southern part of the sky” in Chinese. The story goes that when the local fishermen’s daily life was affected by terrible storms, and they could hardly catch the fish, two kind-hearted fairy maidens transformed themselves into two large stones and stood on the beach to shelter the fishermen. From that time fishermen were safe from storms whenever they went to sea. But the maiden’s master, the Mother Goddess of Heaven, was so furious that she dispatched the Thunder God to drag them back to Heaven. The two maidens refused, so the Thunder God broke them in two. One of them was thrown into the sea and the other one was left here. Near the remaining one lies another stone carved with the Chinese characters Hai Pan Nan Tian, which means “the sea and the sky joined together”. It is the oldest stone inscription to be found here.
Walking on for a further 500 meters (1600 feet), you will see a stone carved with the characters of Tianya and another stone carved with the characters of Haijiao. There is a romantic Romeo and Juliet story about these two stones. In ancient times, two young lovers eloped when their parents disapproved of their marriage. Unfortunately, when they arrived in Hainan, agents, sent by their parents, were also there. Facing the sea, they had no escape. They were so sad that they just held each other as they jumped into the sea. Suddenly, there was a thunderstorm. They were hit by lightning and changed into two stones, with the agents turning into many smaller stones around. Now people regard these two stones as symbols of eternal and faithful love. Because of this beautiful and romantic story many young lovers choose this place for their wedding ceremony.
Yalong Bay
Yalong Bay (Asian Dragon Bay) boasts unparalleled beauty. The 7.5-kilometer (4.7 mile) long crescent-shaped bay with an area of 18.6 square kilometers (about 7.2 square miles) is one of the famous scenic spots in Hainan Province.
Yalong Bay boasts the five essential elements of modern tourism: sea, sands, sunshine, lush green plants and fresh air. The scenery is amazing, with endless rolling hills, serene gulfs, clear blue sea and silvery sand beaches--three times as long as any in Hawaii. Home to several well-preserved coral reefs with tropical fish of varied kinds, colors and shapes, the ocean here is crystal clear, allowing visitors to view underwater sights up to 10 meters (33 feet) deep from the surface. In 1992, the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization once marked that this bay embraces the unique and unparalleled natural settings, sands, crystal sea water, endless seashore, unspoiled hills and pristine vegetation, making it a paradise for holiday travelers.
In the centre of Yalong Bay square stands a Totem Pole of 27 meters (about 88.6 feet), on which the God of Sun, and Gods of Wind, Rain, and Thunder as well as those legendary animals such as Dragon, Phoenix, Kylin and Fish are engraved. The design of this square embodies the Chinese civilization of 5,000 years and has received recognition in winning the Luban Prize - awarded to the top level design of architecture in China.
Dadonghai
Dadonghai is located 3 kilometers (about 1.9 miles) southeast of downtown Sanya, between Mt. Tuziwei and Mt. Luhuitou. Dadonghai has a crescent-shaped beach 2.3 kilometers long (about 1.4 miles) and clear blue sea, sunshine, white sand and green trees creating a beautiful location in the Torrid Zone.
The famous beach is ideal for diving, beach sports, bathing and sunbathing. And as it has everything to support a seaside tourist location, including a large shopping square on the shore, amusement companies and a famous dive company that can provide scuba diving, ship diving, seabed strolling, speed boat, motorboat, luxury yacht, sail boat, ocean fishing, beach sports and underwater photography, this location is renowned for water activities in Sanya and throughout China. Dadonghai has spring-like weather all year round. The water temperature is about 20C degrees even in winter, hence its reputation as an idyllic spot for winter holidaying and relaxation. It also has several shopping areas; the largest shopping center is the Sanya-Ruihai Shopping Park, then Dadonghai Pearl Square, Tropical Rain Forest Square, Seashore Lovers Road and Seafood Barbecue Square, are all able to offer leisure for tourists. 300 meters (about 328 yards) east along the beach is Seashore Park. Standing on the top of the small mountain inside the park, you have a panoramic view of the beach.
Sanya Bay
In addition to Asian Dragon Bay and Dadonghai, Sanya Bay is also an ideal place for vacation and leisure in Sanya.
The bay is surrounded by beautiful tropical scenery with a boundless sea view. The crystal clear blue sea stretches to the edge of the sky, while the waves lap the soft white sand. Across the sea, you will see two adjacent islands: Western Hawksbill Island and Eastern Hawksbill Island (commonly know as Western Island and Eastern Island). The Eastern Island is a garrison island with strict safety measures while the Western Island is open to the public. If you are interested in angling, you can reach the Western Island by motorboat as it has the biggest and best angling club of Sanya. There are many fish and you will return with great success. Furthermore, the island is famous for its limpid sea water and various bent hoses.
Additionally, as Sanya Bay is not far from the city center, it would be a good choice to wander along the bay after supper to feel the soft sea breeze and warm sea water, and view the sunset. It’s very convenient to reach and is much cheaper to visit. Not only is it much quieter and less crowded, but Sanya Bay has the most beautiful sunsets of Sanya and is safe for swimming as the sea is calmer. Also, it is a better choice to live here to experience the daily life of local people.
Wuzhizhou Island
Wuzhizhou Island, in Haitang Bay, has an area of some 1.48 square kilometers (365.7 acres). With an irregular butterfly-like shape and a total coastline of 5.7 km (3.54 miles), the island is about 30 km (18.6 miles) north-east of Sanya City.
The island, which used to be an important defensive zone for China, is in a tropical marine zone. Therefore, the climate is temperate and pleasant all year round. It is an ideal place for vacation, winter swimming as well as entertainment. There are over 2,700 plant varieties on the island, including the tall trees and dense bushes. The eastern and southern parts of the island are hilly and two high mountains connect to form a peak about 79.9 meters (262 feet) high. In the west and north, the terrain is level. Soft white sand stretches as far as the eye can see beside a crystal clear blue sea, where protected coral reefs are rich in conches, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and tropical fishes of various colors.
As well as Goddess Matsu Temple, there are many places of interest to visit including the Lover’s Bridge, Sunrise Rock, the Gold Turtle Stretching toward the Sea, Lover’s Island and the Life Well. The Sunrise Rock is the ideal spot from which to observe the sunrise. Apart from these natural sites, swimming pools, bars, gymnasiums and other places of entertainment are available in the northwest part of the island. For those who love extreme sports local facilities include surfing, gliding ,sailing and canoeing. For relaxation there is sun bathing and sea water bathing. In addition, Wuzhizhou Island is famous for scuba diving as coral reefs and brightly colored tropical fish abound in the warm water. Currently, only a third of the island has been developed.
In addition to the natural attractions of the island, tourists are certain to be pleased by the delightful catering facilities here. In the south of the island there are the Buffet Lunch Restaurant, the Pirate Bar, the Seafood Pool and the Chinese Restaurant all providing excellent food. The Summer Western Food Restaurant in the east corner and the Winter Western Food Restaurant in the west corner of the island also offer a choice of delicious food. Local caught lobsters, prawns, crabs, conch, sea cucumbers and jellyfish will make your mouth water! Furthermore, this island is rich in fruits; bananas, coconuts, mangos and other tropical fruits are plentiful and inexpensive.
II. Dining
Sanya’s abundant, pollution-free seafood resources are attributed to the bounteous South Sea which encircles this city. Abalone, sea cucumbers and sea urchins are three kinds of rare seafood in Sanya. In addition, shrimps, crabs, fresh fish, trumpet shells and other exotic foods are common dishes served in any star-rated and common restaurant in Sanya. Fresh is the most accurate word to describe the seafood of Sanya.
Resort Golden Palm, Resort Horizon, Gloria Resort, Sheraton Resort and the other star-rated restaurants assembled in Yalong Bay each have their own high-class dining-rooms that serve top quality seafood dishes. Therefore, visitors have the convenience of tasting a variety of seafood without having to leave the one restaurant. Of course, the price of the dishes in this type of restaurant is higher than in other ones.
