Things to do in  Sanya

At the top of Luhuitou Mountain, south of Sanya, Luhuitou Park (“deer look back”) was named after a traditional love story. It's the only mountaintop park near Sanya and offers spectacular views over Sanya and the South China Sea, making it a popular destination for sunset.

Built in 1988 to commemorate 2,000 years of Buddhist history in China, Nanshan Temple and the surrounding Buddhism Cultural Zone serve as a window into China’s rich Buddhist heritage. The temple is situated at the foot of Nanshan Mountain, and its architecture was heavily influenced by the Tang Dynasty.

Wuzhizhou Coral Island, a former fishing village, ranks among Sanya’s most scenic beach destinations. The tiny butterfly-shaped island, ringed by soft, white sand beaches, gets its name from the colorful coral reefs just off the beach, where divers and snorkelers head to spot conchs, sea urchins, and a host of tropical fish.

Located at the foot of Mt. Maling, Tianya Haijiao, which means “edge of the sky and the corner of the sea” is commonly referred to as the End of the Earth. Considered for a long time to be the southernmost point of China, today it’s a cultural and scenic spot, and one of the most popular attractions on Hainan Island.

The most convenient beach to Sanya is coconut palm-lined Sanya Bay. It's one of three major beaches on Hainan Island, and it enjoys superb views across the water to the Western, Eastern, and Phoenix islands. It’s not as heavily commercialized as Yalong and Haitang bays and is thus a quieter option for enjoying a day of sun, sea, and sand.

At this cultural park on Hainan Island, visitors can learn about the traditional lifestyle of the region’s rural Li and Miao communities. Craftspeople demonstrate their skills in recreated old-style huts, while local villagers stage an outdoor dance production. Two on-site museums display traditional Li and Miao clothing, arts and crafts.

Covered by lush tropical evergreen rainforest, Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park protects a huge swath of coastal land, and contains more than 130 plant and 190 animal species. The park is also home to one of the biggest trail networks in the province. A small pagoda at the top of the highest peak affords views of Hainan Island.

Located on the southeast coast of Hainan Island, Haitang Bay is one of the new hot spots on the Chinese resort island. Stretching for around 27 miles (43 kilometers), Haitang Bay is home to a wide range of high-end, luxury hotels and resorts. Enjoy wonderful views, a pretty beach, and the biggest duty-free shopping center in the world.