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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.
1/tab.galleryImage.size}With 40 kilometres of idyllic coastline, Sanya is China’s premier beach destination
2/tab.galleryImage.size}Walk the pier to reach Sanya’s 108-metre statue of the Guanyin of Nanshan, the Buddhist goddess of mercy
3/tab.galleryImage.size}Relax on the golden sands of Yalong Bay where Sanya’s best beaches can be found
4/tab.galleryImage.size}Trek through 15 square kilometres of jungle at Sanya’s Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park
5/tab.galleryImage.size}Take in a unique landscape at the Tianya Haijiao scenic spot just outside of Sanya City
6/tab.galleryImage.size}Make some furry new friends at the Hainan Nanwan Monkey Island near Sanya, home to 1800 or so endangered Macaque monkeys
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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
Things to do
We've chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city.
We've chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city.
Do
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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