Concisely, Sanya's top attractions include: Yalong Bay, known as the "Hawaii of the East," renowned for its fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, ideal for water sports. Tianya Haijiao is Sanya's iconic landmark, featuring picturesque scenery and unique reefs, perfect for seascape viewing and wedding photoshoots. Wuzhizhou Island, a renowned island with abundant natural scenery and diverse water activities, is a paradise for diving enthusiasts.

Sanya’s Main History
Known historically as Yazhou, Sanya was established as Zhuya Commandery by Emperor Wu of Han. Renamed “Sanya” in the Ming dynasty, it became a city in 1984 and a prefecture-level city in 1987. Today it is China’s only tropical coastal resort city and the maritime gateway to the South China Sea.

Sanya’s Latitude & Longitude
City centre: 18°15′ N, 109°30′ E.

Sanya’s Total Area
1,921 km² (land).

Sanya’s Permanent Resident Population
≈ 1.08 million (end-2023).

Number & Name of Sanya Airport
1 civil airport: Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX).

Number & Names of Sanya’s Main Railway Stations
3 principal stations: Sanya Station, Yalong Bay Station, Yazhou Station.

When Sanya Opened Its Metro & How Many Lines Exist
No metro yet; pre-planning studies underway. Public transport relies on buses, tourist shuttles, taxis and ride-hailing.

Sanya’s Geographic Position in China
Southernmost tip of Hainan Island, facing the South China Sea, between 18°09′34″–18°37′27″ N and 108°56′30″–109°48′28″ E.

Sanya’s Geographic Features
Terrain slopes north-to-south: mountains behind, sea in front. A 258 km coastline with 19 natural harbours, fringed by coral reefs, beaches and coconut groves.

Sanya’s Climate Characteristics
Tropical maritime monsoon: consistently warm, distinct wet (May–Oct) and dry (Nov–Apr) seasons, strong sunshine, high humidity, no winter.

Months of Sanya’s Four Seasons
Spring: March–May
Summer: June–August
Autumn: September–November
Winter: December–February (feels like endless summer).

Sanya’s Annual Average Temperature
≈ 25.7 °C.

Sanya’s Annual Average Precipitation
≈ 1,400 mm, concentrated May–October.

Best Times to Visit Sanya
Late October to April, when it is dry, mild and sunny.

Sanya’s Peak Tourist Seasons
November to March (northerners escaping the cold); the Christmas–Spring Festival period is the busiest.

Major Tourist Attractions
Yalong Bay, Wuzhizhou Island, Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone, Tianya Haijiao (End of the Earth), Luhuitou Park, West Island, Xiaodongtian Scenic Area.

Main Shopping Streets & Locations
CDFG Sanya International Duty-Free City (North Haitang Bay) and Jiefang Road Pedestrian Street (Jiefang Road, Jiyang District).

Signature Sanya Specialties
Hainan rice noodles, Baoluo rice noodles, coconut rice, qing-bu-liang (chilled coconut dessert), Gangmen rice noodles, Dan-family seafood.

Wuzhizhou Island

As a national 5A-level tourist attraction, it is hailed as "China's First Diving Base." With its colorful underwater world and well-preserved coral reefs, it is ideal for diving exploration. The island boasts beautiful natural scenery, exquisite beaches, and a variety of entertainment options, making it an ideal destination for leisure and vacation.

Yalong Bay

Known as "the First Bay Under Heaven," it features a 7-kilometer-long silvery white beach with fine and soft sand and clear seawater. It is suitable for swimming, surfing, diving, and other aquatic activities. Surrounded by the Tropical Paradise Forest Park, it offers enchanting natural scenery and is an excellent place for vacationing.

Nanshan (Sea Goddess of Mercy)

A landmark attraction within the Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone, the Sea Goddess of Mercy statue stands 108 meters tall, majestic and awe-inspiring. The scenic area is renowned for its beautiful natural scenery and profound cultural heritage, making it suitable for prayer, pilgrimage, and sightseeing, allowing visitors to experience the unique charm of Buddhist culture.

Daxiaodongtian

As a national 5A-level scenic area, it is famous for its unique and exquisite seascapes, mountain views, and stone formations. With lush vegetation and rare plants such as dragon's blood trees, the scenic area resembles a beautiful painting between mountains and the sea, offering an ideal destination to experience the fusion of nature and culture.

Luhuitou

A park themed around a Li ethnic group's love legend, it boasts a harmonious blend of mountain and sea views, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. Attractions such as the Luhuitou statue are filled with romantic ambiance, making it a great place for couples to date and take leisurely walks. Now open to the public free of charge, it attracts a large number of tourists to experience its romantic atmosphere.

Dadonghai

One of Sanya's famous bays, it features white and exquisite beaches with clear and transparent seawater. Suitable for various aquatic activities such as swimming, surfing, and beach volleyball, it offers complete surrounding dining and entertainment facilities, making it an excellent place to enjoy the pleasures of the seashore.

Tropical Botanical Garden

Located in Taling, Tianya Town, Sanya City, it is dominated by tropical rainforest landscapes. The garden's Orchid World is rich in varieties and colors, making it an excellent place to learn about tropical plants and experience the beauty of nature. Walking through the garden is like entering the wonderful world of a tropical rainforest.

Atlantis Water Park

A water park suitable for family fun, it offers a variety of exciting and fun aquatic facilities, particularly suitable for children, providing a rich parent-child entertainment experience. Here, families can enjoy aquatic fun together and leave unforgettable memories.

Tianya Haijiao

As a landmark attraction in Hainan, it features two huge boulders standing in the sea, symbolizing the edge of the sky and the corner of the ocean. This place is filled with romance and mystery, making it an excellent spot for taking photos and souvenirs. Standing beside the boulders and feeling the sea breeze, visitors can immerse themselves in the romance of Tianya Haijiao.

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