Sun, sea and island-hopping sprees: Off-the-radar year-round beach bliss is just three hours away from S'pore

When it comes to planning a vacation in China, the usual big cities like Beijing and Shanghai come to mind for most of us. But wanderlust insiders will know Sanya for being a Chinese city with a difference – it’s the city with a perennial beach holiday vibe that’s just a three-hour flight away from Singapore.

Located on the south end of Hainan Island, China’s closest province to Singapore, Sanya was recently named “Top 10 Must-Visit Cities in China for 2023” – alongside Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu – at the influential travel and tourism trade show World Travel Market London.

That’s where the similarity with its sister cities ends. After all, Sanya is the only city in China where visitors can experience a tropical rainforest environment, mountains and ocean scenery – all at the same time. This is because it is in a unique location, surrounded by mountains as well as a tropical seafront landscape that includes Sanya Bay, Dadonghai, Haitang Bay and Yalong Bay.

Besides the relaxing vacation vibe throughout the city, visitors love the many historic and cultural attractions. A little-known fact to Singaporeans: Sanya has more than 20 ethnic groups including the Han, Li, Miao and Hui. And even though the resort-style city offers a tropical holiday ambience, temperatures here hover at a comfortable 21 deg C to 28 deg C all year round so you will feel cool and comfortable when you are out and about.

Often hailed as the Hawaii of China, Sanya’s five beaches and many resorts – most offering a made-for-Instagram view of the ocean – are also reminiscent of those in Bali.

It is made up of districts like the Yazhou District, Tianya District, Jiyang District and Haitang District, with Wuzhizhou Island in Haitang District being known as the Maldives of China.

Sanya even has a “Little Santorini”, otherwise known as the Maling enclave. Located near the picturesque Tianya Haijiao, Maling’s breezy blue and white architecture, as well as its proximity to the beach and ocean, resembles that of the famous Greek island and is popular with outdoor enthusiasts.

Feeling inspired? Here’s our four-day itinerary guide to touring Sanya, district by district.

Nothing beats starting off your Sanya vacation on an idyllic, even therapeutic note. Located in the west of Sanya, Yazhou District is chock-full of historical and cultural sites that have existed for centuries. The most famous one is the Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone, a large-scale eco-cultural Buddhism-themed tourism zone.

There is a relaxing, spiritual vibe all around as visitors admire the tropical ocean scenery and seek solace in Nanshan Temple, Savior Garden, Auspiciousness Garden, Longevity Valley and Small Moon Bay. Be awe-struck, too, by the 108 metre-tall Nanshan Guanyin Statue.

Next, make your way to Sanya Dongtian Park, which has been dubbed the best scenic spot on Hainan Island for the last 800 years with its coastal scenery and mountains. If you have always been fascinated with Chinese sword-fighting (wuxia) or historical dramas and movies, look out for ancient “fairy caves” with Taoist relics and rocks with text inscribed by famous poets and philosophers from centuries ago.

History buffs should also make a stop at the 1,000-year-old Yazhou Ancient City, which is home to over 160 ancient buildings and infrastructure. It’s been said that the city looks like a breath-taking landscape painting so keep your phones ready.

Whet your appetite with some traditional dishes, ranging from yazhou stinky tofu to shrimp cake and gangmen rice noodles – the last dish is made with a rich broth made from pork bone and sea snails that’s guaranteed to hit the spot after a day out and about.

The Chinese phrase tianya haijiao means the ends of the earth or something unattainable, and is often used in ballad lyrics. In real life, there is an actual Tianya Haijiao in Sanya in the Tianya District.

Launched in 1988, visitors flock here for the scenery and the romance factor. There are stone inscriptions at the Tianya Haijiao Scenic Spot, including a pair of stones with a story that is similar to Romeo and Juliet. Two eloping lovers were said to have tried escaping from agents sent by their disapproving parents but changed into stones when they tried to jump into the sea. Today, the two stones are seen as symbols of eternal love, which explains why couples make a beeline here for photos and wedding proposals.

If an adrenaline rush is what you seek, visit the West Island Ocean Amusement World in the West Island Ocean Culture Resort. There, you can take part in water sports such as diving and jet skiing.

While you are on West Island, don’t forget to explore its fishing village. Take a stroll and keep a lookout for houses built from corals, hunt for hidden gems around the seafood market, dine in quaint restaurants, or even call it a night in charming homestays or guesthouses to immerse yourself in the local culture – after all, the island is home to over 3,000 indigenous residents who have been living off fishing for more than 400 years.

The neighbouring Mount Niuwang Sightseeing Area is known for its pristine clear waters and underwater reef, as well as its magnificent views of the sunset to end off your day.

While we have our traditional kopitiams in Singapore, Sanya has its laobacha or “old father tea” shops like Ping De Xiang Eatery and Chun Yuan Li Tea House. Plan your visit during breakfast or tea time and refuel with a variety of dim sum.

For something more hipster, Tianya District has Instagrammable cafes serving Japanese-style coffees and pastries. These include Oasis Cafe & Deli and Echo Bookhouse & Coffee Bar.

If you love the beach life, Jiyang District has three famous beaches: Dadonghai, Xiaodonghai and Yalong Bay. Snorkel, scuba dive or rent beach loungers and umbrellas to chill out on these postcard-perfect beaches. The bonus: Jiyang District faces the mountains in the north and the sea in the south so its beaches come with background views of rolling mountains in the distance.

After a morning of beach hopping, savour the sight of blooming roses in every size and colour at Yalong Bay International Rose Valley, which is a popular spot for wedding photos and proposals. Besides roses, there are also other themed flower sections like a sunflower area.

Keep the night alive with traditional music street performances and the daily Sanya Legend Show in Sanya Romance Park. For crash courses in history, you may want to sign up for the cultural relic workshops or check out the architecture of the Li and Miao minority groups.

For nature lovers, you may want to set aside a full day to explore Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park. This lush rainforest offers a variety of activities ranging from hiking to enjoying folk culture shows and numerous sightseeing opportunities. While you’re there, don’t forget to make stops at the crossing dragon chain bridge, qianli umbrella and the panoramic glass bridge to get a view of Yalong Bay.

But if you only have time for one location to enjoy a sweeping view of Sanya, make it Luhuitou Park, the only mountain-top park in the city. It also has a Halley's Comet observation station and a wave-listening pavilion.

Enjoy bragging rights among your foodie friends back home once you have tried more local dishes which include wenchang chicken, hele crab, dongshan mutton, jiaqi duck and lychee wood barbecue chicken – the last dish is known for its crispy skin that complements an ice-cold beer.

This district is an interesting contrast of natural attractions like Haitang Bay and Wuzhizhou Island, and modern-day offerings like Sanya Haichang Fantasy Town.

In the day, the butterfly-shaped Wuzhizhou Island offers attractions like coral reefs with abundant marine life including sea urchins, sea cucumbers and tropical fishes. Little wonder then that it is known as the Maldives of China. If it is within your budget, rent a yacht and take a slow afternoon to unwind out at sea.

At night, take things easier at Sanya Haichang Fantasy Town with its many performances, themed restaurants and “Eye of Sanya” ferris wheel ride.

However, if shopping is your main goal, make a visit to the Sanya International Duty Free Complex at Haitang Bay. In the 120,000 sqm shopping complex, you will find a wide variety of international brands to suit your fancy – from high-end brands to last-minute souvenirs for your loved ones.

If you are willing to splurge for your last night, book one of the underwater suites at the Atlantis Sanya China and fall asleep with sea creatures “beside” you. The hotel is also famous for its Aquaventure Waterpark, where you can drift along slowly on the Rapids River or test your stamina on the 36 water slides. The Leap of Faith, for instance, lets you free-fall eight storeys down into the water and through a shark tank. Kids will love meeting sea animals at Sea Lion Point and Dolphin Cay or at The Lost Chambers Aquarium.

Go local with seafood and Sichuan or Hunan cuisine at Haitang 68 Food Street or glam things up with a Michelin-starred Hainan meal at WJ Hainan Cuisine.