Sanya
If you staying in or around Sanya you have the option to relax the whole time on one of the many tropical beaches, travel inland independently (we will help you every step of the way if that's the case) or participate in some of the many excursions to places of interest we have prepared for you. If you're after a beech holiday but also want to experience China's unique culture as an added bonus then this is the destination for you.
History
300 years ago, in an attempt to complete the first map of China, Chinese emperor Kang xi dispatched three of his ministers to survey the geography of the small fishing village of Sanya the most southern tip of the imperial kingdom. The family of the three ministers were inscribed on a huge stone by the sea.
They would have never imagined that this stone would be the landmark of China's premier beech resort. The stone is known to the Chinese people as 'The end of the earth'. The tropical sea harbour city we know today we feel will become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the PRC by 2012.
Climate
It is not really difficult to see why Haikou has always been regarded as the great city outside Mainland China by the Chinese since the ancient times. Its monsoon tropical climate and seaside location has provided a lot of natural resources. Its proximity to the mainland makes it a convenient port for trading, way back since the late Qing Dynasty. Because of this, Haikou draws a lot of Chinese people seeking new opportunities; it is, without a doubt, hailed by the Chinese as a land of promise.
Ethnic Group
Due to an old fairytale of how a youth from the Li ethnic group fell in love and pursued a beautiful girl who was incarnated from an Eld's deer, many couples from all over China come to Sanya to commemorate their love. Sanya's resort is very popular with the Chinese upper middle classes but not yet tourism from the west.
Several ethnic groups such as Li, Miao, Hui, etc reside in Sanya. Remaining in the mountain villages where they lived many years ago, each group preserves its own unique culture and customs. The Li ethnic group has been living in Sanya for a thousand years and is famous for weaving pretty brocades. Their songs and dances are adapted from folk ballads and their primitive hunting activities are famous throughout China.
Getting There
Plane
Normally we fly people to Sanya on an hour's flight from Hong Kong.
Sanya Phoenix International Airport is 20 km away from the city centre and your resort hotel. It has 23 domestic intercity routes and 8 international routes to Singapore, Macao, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo. Together with the Haikou International Airport situated 300 km away from Sanya, it provides 50 flights to various destinations in China per day.
Train
The Chinese Train Network is often under estimated. You can easily travel to Sanya by train (this adds an excellent experience to your holiday but on the flip side it takes allot longer than by plane).
The times below are daily departures. The leg from the mainland is made by ferry.
Trains times information:
- Beijing West - Sanya
- T201 18:10 - 05:06 + 2 days
- Sanya - Beijing West
- T202 19:35 - 06:41 + 2 days
- Shanghai South - Sanya
- K511 09:50 - 22:17 + 2 days
- Sanya - Shanghai South
- K512 16:50 - 05:43 + 2 days
Ferry
Sanya China Travel can also arrange for you to visit Sanya via sea routes from the mainland, normally from Guangzhou. Sanya's harbour also has international ferry routes directly to Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam. The most popular sea route to and from the Island for our clients is from Hong Kong.
Getting Around
Please note an English-speaking guide in a private car will take you to all of the locations that are mentioned in our Hainan Island excursion section and of course our set tours of the island.
If you wish to travel independently to locations throughout the island we will help you every step of the way. There is also a comprehensive bus network on the island.
Holding an International Driving License will allow you to hire a car in Sanya, again we will ensure this process is easy for you.
Festivals and Sanya's International favour
Sanya has become a venue for many international events, including the Miss World Final Contest
Zhang Zilin - China's own Miss World crowned in 2007.
International Triathlon, International Sail Racing, Asian Golf Tour, China's premier Film Festival for its golden rooster and Hundred-Flower Film Awards are also held in Sanya. The New Silk Road Model Grand Prix is also becoming famous thought the modelling industry.
The International Wedding Ceremony is also held in Sanya.
Grooms carrying their brides in a mini marathon
Yalong Bay
Yalong Bay is located 25 km away south east of Sanya City. As a key coral reef under the state protection, the beach is formed by weathered corals and seashells, which stretch about 8 km, three times of that in Hawaii. The Bay Covering an area of 66 square kilometres it's huge and a perfect place to find your own private cove.
Dadong Hai
Dadong Hai is 3 km away from Sanya downtown and is a popular destination for tourists because of its easy accessibility and pristine beaches. With mirror - like waters surrounded by mountains ranging on both sides, the Dadong Hai forms a natural bay with a narrow outlet that looks more like a lake than sea. This area of Sanya is especially suitable for snorkelling, sun bathing and swimming.
Sanya Bay
The Sanya Bay borders Sanya City and starts from the Sanya Harbour in the east. The 22-kilometer azure coastline is a crystalloid, white beach, offering a charming and inviting urban landscape to all visitors.
Tourists can watch the traditional Li fishermen as they fish in the ancient way of hauling net into shallow sea. When sunset, the homeward fishermen can be seen on the beach happily singing and celebrating their harvest of the day.
