Things to do in Sanya | Tourism - Cathay Pacific

China’s Hainan Island has become one of Asia’s top surfing destinations. At its heart is the city of Sanya, an excellent choice for holidaymakers, and the perfect base to access the island’s best surf breaks.

View over the city of Sanya with bay and mountains

The Guanyin of Nanshan statue at the end of the pier in Sanya

Trees and a bridge in Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park in Sanya

Rocks at the Tianya Haijiao scenic spot near Sanya

Macaque monkey at Hainan Nanwan Monkey Island near Sanya

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With 40 kilometres of idyllic coastline, Sanya is China’s premier beach destination

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Walk the pier to reach Sanya’s 108-metre statue of the Guanyin of Nanshan, the Buddhist goddess of mercy

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Relax on the golden sands of Yalong Bay where Sanya’s best beaches can be found

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Trek through 15 square kilometres of jungle at Sanya’s Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park

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Take in a unique landscape at the Tianya Haijiao scenic spot just outside of Sanya City

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Make some furry new friends at the Hainan Nanwan Monkey Island near Sanya, home to 1800 or so endangered Macaque monkeys

Sanya Pearl River Nantian Resort

The hot springs at this resort, located 16 kilometres east of Sanya, are said to be full of minerals with medicinal qualities. Visitors soak in the various pools, ranging from coconut scented to Chinese herb infused, amid the resort's tropical landscaping.

Location

Off the Tengqiao Expressway

See

Bing Lang Gu

For colourful local culture, the Bing Lang Gu tourist site, about a 40-minute drive from Sanya, features Li and Miao minority villages which offer cultural shows, local food, exhibitions and a variety of handicrafts from these ethnic groups.

Location

Ganza Ridge Natural Reserve

Phone

+86 898 38660888+86 898 38660888

Shop

Dahai Surf Shop

This surfing business is run by one of China’s best surfers, known locally as Da Hai, which means "big ocean". It rents a decent selection of surfboards, and Da Hai also gives lessons. The shop is about a 45-minute drive from Sanya.

Location

Houhai Bay

Shimei Bay

Shimei Bay on Hainan’s southeast coast features several breaks on a six-kilometre stretch of coastline and has become a popular spot with Japanese surfers. Unusual rock formations, fish and seagulls inhabit the area with Jiajing Island opposite the bay.

Location

Wanning City

Riyue Bay

Riyue Bay on Hainan's east coast is an easy bus or taxi ride from Sanya and is an ideal place for beginners to learn, as the waves are usually no more than a metre high. It is also less crowded than Dadonghai, one of Hainan's popular beach resorts.

Location

Wanning City

Eat

Dolphin Sports Bar & Grill

Seafood is a must at the myriad restaurants, and plenty of small night stalls will even cook it from fresh right in front of you. One of the more popular bars at night is the Dolphin Sports Bar & Grill. As well as serving drinks, it offers a tasty selection of Western food.

Location

99 Yuya Road, Dadonghai, Sanya

Phone

+86 898 8821 5700+86 898 8821 5700

Shop

Surfing Hainan

Brendan Sheridan, who is keen on introducing surfing to the Chinese, established Surfing Hainan in 2007 at Riyue Bay, about a 90-minute drive from Sanya. The shop rents a wide selection of shortboards, longboards and various types of wetsuits. The seasoned staff also offer surfing lessons for beginners and can arrange accommodation and day trips to some of the more secluded surfing spots via the company van.

Location

Riyue Bay

Phone

+86 135 1980 0103+86 135 1980 0103

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Passengers departing the UK, and aged 12 to 15, are exempted from the UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) Tax, effective 1 March 2016. We are currently updating our system to reflect this change. Passengers booking online can request an APD Tax refund by contacting the local reservations office or Global Contact Centres.

Booking of more than six passengers is currently not available online. Please contact your local reservations office.

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Please note that for online bookings, infants under two will not occupy their own seat. To book an infant-occupied seat, or if your infant turns two during your trip, please contact your local reservations office.