Sanya

Sanya

The pristine and palm fringed beaches of Sanya are undoubtedly the main attraction of Hainan Island. However, the area surrounding Tonghsi in the central mountainous region is well worth exploring on a day tour for its stunning scenery and ethnic culture, e.g. the traditional Li houses, the 300 metre Baihua Shan waterfalls and the 2000 metre Wuzhi Shan mountain.

Outdoor seafood restaurants either side of the local night market are a great place to immerse yourself in the full Chinese experience. The seafood is excellent and while you’re waiting for the meal you can wander off to shop.

Yalong Bay

Yalong Bay is located to the east of Sanya and features 7km of sand. This tranquil beach resort is where you'd go to get away from everything, including organized tourist attractions. What you'll find here instead is a stunningly beautiful and remarkably uncrowded beach, a small village - and peace and quiet.

Dadonghai

Located just 3 km southeast from Sanya city, Dadonghai is a small-but-bustling beach resort with such unexpected amenities as western-style cocktail bars with blues music on the sound system.

Nanshan Temple

Nanshan Temple is 40 kilometres from Sanya in the South of Hainan Island. The temple is part of one of the largest Buddhist sites in China. The Temple offers an insight into various periods of Chinese history from as far back as the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Ximao Zhou Island

Just over the water from Sanya’s golden beaches is Ximao Zhou Island. Ideal for snorkeling and diving.

Luhuitou

This neatly-kept town is a fishing port as well as a resort, so restaurants here have their daily pick of the ocean's freshest bounty, and serve some of the best seafood on the island. Luhuitou beaches are poor but uncrowded.