Sanya

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South China (华南) » Hainan (海南) » Sanya (三亚)

Contents

Guangxi
Guangxi
A panoramic view of Sanya
A panoramic view of Sanya
Beautiful night scenery
Beautiful night scenery

[edit] Overview

Sanya is at the southernmost tip of Hainan Island. It covers an area of 1920 square kilometers, and borders Lingshui to the east, Baoting to the north, Ledong to the west and the South China Sea to the south. Around Sanya's 209.1 km coastline lay 40 islands, 10 of which are quite large.

As of 2006, Sanya has a population of 536,000.

Sanya's location on the coast provides easy access from the Philippines, Australia and other Southeast Asia countries, making it a true gateway to southern China.

Often referred as "China's Hawaii", Sanya has a tropical oceanic monsoon climate with an average temperature of 25.3°C (68.5°F). The hottest month is July at 28.3°C; the coldest is January at 20.3°C. Sanya receives a continuous stream of visitors during the most comfortable months between October and April. Although it's hot in the low season of May to September, visiting during the low season is a good way to avoid the crowds.

[edit] History

Sanya was, for a long time, called "the end of the earth." because of its remote location at the southernmost tip of China. Historical figures such as Prime Minister Han Yuan, monk Jian Zhen, Prime Minister Zhao Ding, Minister Hu Quan and the legendary weaving and spinning expert Huang Daopo had all come to Sanya and made remarkable contributions to its economic and cultural development.

Yaxian County was taken over by P. R. China in April 1950. On September 26, 1987, it was promoted to Sanya City and officially took that name on December 30 of the same year.

[edit] Video

Sanya

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Sanya was, for a long time, called 'the end of the earth', because of its remote location at the southernmost tip of China.

[edit] Map

Click here to open Sanya map.

[edit] Weather

Sanya has very warm weather all year around. The weather condition is very similar to Hawaii, as both places lay roughly on the same latitude.

Sanya has a pleasant autumn and winter. The best time to visit Sanya is from September to April. In winter while other parts of the world are covered by snow, visitors can still stroll in sandals and swimsuits on Sanya's beaches, indulge in the warm water, and munch tropical fruits.

 Current Conditions (2010-03-18 11:00:00, local time)

Sanya
Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Temp: 78°F (26°C)
Wind: E at 4 mph
Humidity: 59%

 Sanya Weather Forecast

Thursday
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny

82/66°F

Friday
Clear
Clear

82/64°F

Saturday
Clear
Clear

95/68°F

Sunday
Clear
Clear

95/66°F

Weather Forecast

Weather averages for Sanya
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avg high °C (°F) 26 (79) 27 (81) 29 (84) 31 (88) 32 (90) 32 (90) 32 (90) 32 (90) 31 (88) 30 (86) 29 (84) 27 (81)
Avg low °C (°F) 19 (66) 20 (68) 22 (72) 25 (77) 26 (79) 26 (79) 26 (79) 26 (79) 25 (77) 24 (75) 22 (72) 20 (68)
Rain cm (inches) 0.55 (0.2) 0.73 (0.3) 1.58 (0.6) 3.67 (1.4) 11.02 (4.3) 14.48 (5.7) 17.38 (6.8) 15.98 (6.3) 20.32 (8) 14.62 (5.8) 5.14 (2) 1.31 (0.5)
Source: per MSN 2008

[edit] Getting in & Getting out

[edit] By Air

Sanya is served by Sanya Phoenix International Airport, about 11 km to the northeast of the city.

Sanya has flights to 63 cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau, Xi'an, Urumqi, Chongqing, Chengdu, Guiyang, Guilin, Harbin. Visitors from countries having diplomatic relations with China can apply for "landing visas". Tour groups from some countries can enjoy 15-day "visa-free" status.

Airport transportation:

  • Airport Shuttle:
    • Departure time based on the flights. The shuttle start from the airport exit. Tickets is 15 yuan, and the trip takes about 45 minutes. For the time being, there are no shuttles going from Sanya city area to the airport.
    • Route: Airport Road - Sanya Bay Road - Jiefang Lu - Yuya Blvd - the Dadonghai Plaza. The shuttles stop at the following places: Sanya Bay Resort, Jinglilai Resort Hotel, Lanhai Garden, Seal Hotel, and Orient Bay-View Hotel.
  • Bus:
Bus line #8 goes to the airport from the city center. It originates from Yuya Blvd, Guochaojian bridge - Sanya Bridge - Jiefang Lu - Sanya Bay Road - Haihong Road - Airport Road - Phoenix airport. The bus fare is 8 yuan.
  • Taxi:
It takes taxis about 25 minutes from the airport to the city area. The fare is about 50 yuan.

It costs about 90 yuan from the airport to Yalong Bay, but the price is negotiable with the taxi driver.

  • Airport practical tips:
Government regulation prohibits passengers from carrying liquid onto the plane. But visitors can check in such liquid items as Hainan coconut products, mineral water as luggage.

[edit] By Train

Sanya Railway Station is located in the suburban Litchigou (荔枝沟). Bus line 204 runs between the railway station and the city area. The ticket costs only one yuan. You can also take taxi to get to the station for about 10 to 15 yuan.

There are direct trains going from Sanya to Beijing West, Shanghai South, and Guangzhou stations. There are trains from Haikou to Sanya for about 4 hours, but the number of these trains is limited.

Foreign visitors can choose direct trains from Beijing and Shanghai. The whole trip from Shanghai takes about 36.5 hours, and 35 hours from Beijing, and 15 hours from Guangzhou.

[edit] By Bus

The 3.5 hour bus ride from Haikou will cost about 80 RMB. Buses between Haikou and Sanya depart about every 30 minutes; the last bus from Sanya to Haikou departs around 11PM. Sanya's bus station is along Jie Fang Lu (解放路), a few steps South (away from McDonalds) of the East end of "Shopping Street" (步行街).

--from wikitravel.org

[edit] By Ship

[edit] Getting Around

[edit] By Public Bus

Many people stay in beach areas with more-or-less everything within walking distance. Darting in, around, and between Sanya city and Dadong Hai is best done by the city bus lines 2 (fastest) or 4 (adds some stops around Sanya River) for 1 RMB. The buses run along Sanya city's Jiefang Lu (解放路),which is the street McDonald's is on, and hit Dadong Bay at Luling Lu (鹿岭路), just one stop past the Deer Turns Head Square (鹿回头广场)

--from wikitravel.org

[edit] By Tour Bus

[edit] By Metro

[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car

Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Check that the driver uses the meter for all journeys or agree a price before commencing the journey for longer distances. Taxi drivers can often be rip-off artists. If you have a white or black face or sound like a rich mainlander they will often ask for at least double the price you would pay using the meter. A taxi from Sanya to Dadong Bay should cost about 8 RMB.

You can also rent a motorbike or a car of your own. There are several places to do this, with (approx.) prices per hour (60RMB), 4 hours (150RMB), 8 hours (350RMB) or by week (1500RMB). Discounts are available outside peak times. It is not recommended that any inexperienced driver use a motorbike on the public roads on Hainan, which can be even less organized that mainland China's motor-ways.

--from wikitravel.org

[edit] Attractions

[edit] Hotels

[edit] Budget

[edit] Luxury

[edit] Restaurants

There are plenty of good restaurants, including many Sichuan places and some Cantonese. There's one McDonald's and two branches of KFC. Seafood is a beach city's speciality. Inspect the tanks for freshness before eating and beware of the different charges that are often handled by different people at the restaurant (fishery, cooking fee, and sitting fee can be separate). Shellfish go for 10-25 per "jin" (Chinese measurement unit equal to a half kilo).

  • Sanya Rainbow Bar & Grill 99 Yu Ya Road, Dadonghai; telephone: (86) 898 88215700. Western restaurant and sports bar with a wide selection of western favorites such as soups, salads, pasta, tex-mex, sandwiches, burgers and much more. There are usually good specials on draft beers and mixed drinks. Very friendly environment with countless big screen tv's showing all major sporting events around the globe. Also has typical bar games: pool, darts, foozball, etc. Meals range from 20-50RMB. A second bar and grill, Rainbow 2, has been opened in Yu Ya Road, closer to the city centre, in the Time Coast area adjoining the Eadry resort.
  • Casual Caffe Snack Bar, located at Dadonghai, near Rainbow Bar & Grill, this cafe offers a set breakfast special for 30RMB. For Lunch, the menu includes pastas, pizzas and a "create your own sandwich" menu. The restaurant has a relaxed and intimate feel and a friendly owner known to occasionally give out free samples of wines and desserts.
  • Marco Polo, located right beside the Casual Caffe, Marco Polo offers a slightly more upscale take on Italian. The prices here are a bit more expensive (expect somewhere in the range of 50-100RMB for a meal, but the advertise as being the best Italian in Sanya. There is a large, outdoor seating area and the pizzas are highly recommended.
  • Mediterranea, [4]. Good and inexpensive. The shisha lounge and relaxed atmosphere make this a perfect escape from Chinese tourists after a long day at the beach. Owned and run by a Mandarin speaking Sicilian chef.
  • Bohemian (BoXiMiYa), No. 3 Phoenix City (San Yong Feng Huang Cheng) (Phoenix Road (Feng Huang Lu)), ☎ 88882333. Newly-opened restaurant with an international menu. Prices range from very expensive (for things like Japanese beef or caviare) to very reasonable for more conventional Chinese dishes. Very well decorated and furnished and the service by waitresses wearing faux-Bavarian uniforms is exceptional.
  • Jing Fu Gong, No 4 Phoenix City (Phoenix Road), ☎ 38295105. Korean restaurant run by South Koreans. Part of a chain - there's one in Haikou too. Very authentic, to the extent that it is a favourite for Korean tour groups who want a taste of home. Reasonable prices and attentive service. Right next door to the Bohemian (above).
  • Ba Guo Bu Yi, 117 Ying Bin Lu, ☎ 88685688. Sichuan restaurant, part of a chain. Good value. Menu in Chinese only but the glossy menus have pictures which give you a good idea of what you're ordering. The giant meatballs are delicious, as is the braised pork. As with all Sichuan restaurants, if you don't like it too spicy ask them to cut back on the chilli.

--from wikitravel.org

[edit] Shopping

The area produces pearls in abundance and they are sold everywhere. Prices are highly negotiable; overcharging tourists is common. Tour guides get a fat (often 50%!) commission for bringing tourists to pearl shops; try to go without one and beat the price down.

Coconut powders and teas are also popular Chinese buys, but for Westerners looking for something less commercially produced... the cone-shaped hats that women wear here with pictures inscribed are only 5 RMB at The First Market (第一市场) in Sanya city. Lines 2 and 4 have a stop there. Don't head into the department store; instead, stick to the side of it and walk down the road filled with small shops and street vendors.

  • Corner DeliLocated at RaiHai Shopping Park in Dadonghai, the deli offers a wide range of imported food and drinks. For anyone living in China and wanting to take back a few western groceries that can't normally be found, this small deli is worth the trip.
  • Sanya Surf, ☎ (86)13697583423,24. www.sanyasurf.com is all about Hainan surf, surfing Hainan, Sanya Surf, and has photos and information for anyone who wants to surf Hainan Island. free.

--from wikitravel.org

[edit] Night Life & Entertainment

  • The most popular local brew is Anchor (actually Singaporean but produced in Hainan). Ask for the 'red label' or 'old' brew, which is the original. It's very hoppy and can be a great escape from Yanjing (燕京) or Qingdao (青岛) beer. Those are available, of course, as well. There are also local pineapple-based beers. Odd, but worth a try.
  • "Red coconuts" (红椰) are especially sweet, even if you just pop a straw straight into the coconut!
  • Coffee Addict Warning The vast majority of coffee shops here open around 10 or 11 AM. The Jiefang Lu (解放路) McDonald's has thus become a morning pilgrimage for many Westerners.
  • Coffee World, DadongHai Beach (Located in the Herton Seaview Hotel opposite Resort In Time at DaDonghai Beach), ☎ 86-898-8867-7995, [5]. 10:00 AM-12:30 PM. The finest International Coffee Brand in Sanya/DaDongai Beach with two locations. LeFloret Shopping Plaza at Yalong Bay's Crowne Plaza Hotel and at the Herton Seaview Hotel on Sanya's Dadonghai Beach opposite the Resort In Time Hotel. Moderate.

--from wikitravel.org

[edit] Sports & Recreation

Sanya holds its annual international wedding festival in November. The beautiful scenery and the special place of the "ends of the earth" certainly adds the significance of such event and leaves lifelong memories.

There are traditional dancing and performances during the "China Nanshan Cultural Festival" on September 9th of Chinese Lunar Calendar, and a similar festival on March 3rd of Chinese Lunar Calendar, where visitors can participate in various festive shows and activities.


Activities

[1] Has a complete and growing listing of activities for foreigners coming to Sanya and wanting to find things to do in Sanya; as well as a regular blog exposing some of the more hidden treasures for adventurers coming for vacation in Sanya, Hainan Island, China.

Cycling

Hainan Bike Tours. Organisation run by expats offering cycling tours around Hainan.


Surfing

Hainan has pretty consistent surf most of the year. In the summer, the south winds bring waves to Sanya's south-facing beaches. In the fall through winter, the peak surf season, Hainan's east coast is the place to go. Hainan doesn't offer world-class waves, but it offers fairly consistent tropical surf, which is almost completely empty. See Surfing Hainan for surf reports, forecasts, and more information on Hainan surf.

Surfing in Hainan is a great activity for tourists who want to combine the physical excesize of surfing with the relaxation of a day at the beach. Despite what others may say, Hainan hides some of the best surf in the South Pacific, and is fairly consistent in both the winter and summer. See Sanya Surf for surfing in Sanya, forecasts, and more information on surfing in China 's best waves. Water Sports

Yalong Bay, Dadong Bay, and Sanya Bay all have a collection of jet skiing, parasailing, paragliding, snorkeling, scuba diving, glass-bottomed boat, and beach ATV enterprises. Prices aren't generally very negotiable (save for scuba and snorkeling), but duration of the ride, however, can. Do not go too cheap on scuba, for obvious safety reasons. Sanya Diving Guide

Hiking

Sanya Bay and Fragrant Water Bay (香水湾) are kilometers long and can be a very entertaining afternoon's walk. Sanya Bay is touristy near the city, but fades into nearly silent sections filled only with resting fishermen and wedding photographers. Fragrant Water Bay is newly developing and is nearly devoid of humans! Beware of strong rip tides while swimming. Outside of beach hikes, Five Finger Mountain (五指山), a couple hours from Sanya, is an excellent place to spend the day. Hire a car to take you around the gigantic park's multiple scenic spots. Motorcycle side-cars can also be hired for the day for 100 RMB and sit two. Bring a sweater to fight the windchill as the motorcycle goes through shaded, windy roads.

[edit] Excursions & Day Trips

[edit] Tips & Practical Info

  • There are many water sports activities such as parasailing, diving, and boating, but not all operators are trained and certified. Check oxygen tank pressures before diving.
  • There are a lot of people who prey on Chinese and foreign tourists alike -- beggars, prostitutes, legal and illegal taxi drivers, and vendors with overpriced or phony pearl items. Watch out especially for pickpockets. They are good at grabbing wallets, phones, bags etc as you get onto buses, and work in pairs. Another trick is to zoom past you on a motorbike and grab your bag.
  • Hainan is considered an active malaria region. It is recommended to take the usual precautions against malaria.
  • Be careful in the traffic. Road discipline is non-existent. Cars and motorcycles drive on both sides of the road, skip signal lights, and careen down sidewalks as if they had right of way. Honking is also ever-present, which can be irritating, but just try to imagine you are using sonar to navigate.
  • There have been reports of unprovoked violence against foreigners, mostly occuring at night outside of the clubs in the Dadonghai and Sanya City areas. Russian tourists have reported being insulted and sworn at by vendors. English-speaking tourists have reported epithets being yelled at them as well.

--from wikitravel.org Wikipedia:Sanya

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