Top Places to Visit in Sanya to Enjoy Sun, Sand, Sea and Fun Water Activities

Written by Clementine | Updated February 13,2026

Endowed with sparkling blue water, clear blue sky, wide sandy beach and dense coconut forests, the city of Sanya in China’s Hainan Province is never short of picturesque seascape. It has been a popular and cherished resort for nature lovers, shell collectors and those who enjoy seafront amusements at home and abroad for a long time.

What can you enjoy during a Sanya tour? Today, China Xian Tour offers you some popular choices of destinations where you can enjoy coastal sightseeing and entertainment. You can enjoy the vacation to immersive in the natural scenery and cultural attractions, and experience water recreation activities. Leave your everyday stresses behind in the relaxing atmosphere here!

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• Wuzhizhou Island in Haitang Bay — China’s Maldives 
• The Small East Sea in China | Great Place for Diving
• Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis Sanya | Best Water Playground for Thrill-Seekers
• Dadonghai Beach
• Nanshan Temple
• Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park
• Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Area
• Betel Nut Valley
• Yalong Bay
• Sanya Bay
• West Island
• Plan Your Sanya Tour with China Xian Tour

Wuzhizhou Island in Haitang Bay — China’s Maldives

• How to get to: take bus line 28, 352 or 371 to Wuzhizhou Island stop first, then transfer to a ship to board the island.
• Highlights: clear water, white sand, abundant water sports, well-known diving spot
• Ticket: CNY 140 (entrance fee and ship ticket)

Nestled in Haitang Bay in the north of Sanya, Wuzhizhou Island boasts crystal clear seawater with a maximum visible depth of 27 meters (88 feet), which earns the island a reputation as China’s best diving base. It features rare and diverse wildlife such as nightlight snails, sea cucumber, lobsters, mackerel, urchins, pomfret and colorful tropical fish. It also enjoys well-preserved and fantastic coral reefs of different shapes in the seabed of its southern sea area.

Next to the pier of the hot scenic spot hides a mysterious retreat – Tenghai Fishing Village. It is a typical fishing village with just over 2,000 villagers who still rely on fishing for a living. Adjoining with the Haitang Bay, the small village, surrounded by charming natural wonders, is a good choice for leisure and holiday. Tourists can go fishing with local fishermen by boat, fully experiencing the local sea life.

The Small East Sea in China | Great Place for Diving

• How to get to:bus line 4
• Highlights:quiet and primitive, coral mudflats, suitable for beach combing and leisurely strolling
• Ticket:free

With rocky cape stretching out to the horizon and egret flying leisurely over the sea, the attraction known as the small East Sea in China presents a harmonious picture and forms a tranquil atmosphere of nature. It is a unique place for diving and seawater exploration in Sanya.

Tourists are able to try out night diving by nightfall. With an underwater torches, you can explore special views that can’t be seen in the daytime such as cute crabs usually hidden under stones briskly crossing the sea floor. In addition, tourists can also take a night sightseeing boat equipped with searchlight to catch the splendid underwater world through the transparent bottom of the boat, enjoying the mystery and beauty of the sea at night.

Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis Sanya | Best Water Playground for Thrill-Seekers

• How to get to:bus lines 33, 35, 317
• Highlights:a large comprehensive resort with a thrilling water world, a spectacular aquarium and concentrated entertainment facilities.
• Ticket:CNY 350 +

As an entertainment resort, Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis Sanya is open all year round, bringing surprising experiences and extreme levels of fun for tourists all over the world. It is a perfect amusement park for youngsters to have all sorts of adrenalin-pumping adventures and a best place for people of all ages to cool off in the hot summer heat. Ride the iconic Leap of Faith waterslide, meander through the Rapids River, shuttle in roundabout underwater tunnels and chill out while watching our entertaining live performances. You will be amazed by these exhilarating activities.

It is also provided with unique amenities like Underwater Roaming, which enables you to wander freely in the sea and explore the mystical underwater city. Visit the Lost Chambers Marine Aquarium and have an up-close contact with sharks, stingrays and colorful fish. Meet and play with dolphins and sea lions at Dolphin Cay. The marvellous marine animal encounters will be no doubt etched in your memory. Splashers offer children a thrilling playground that features plenty of water games and colorful slides. It is an unmissable choice for family tour and other group travels. Come together to enjoy your happy moments and capture a special photo with these charming creatures home!

Dadonghai Beach

• How to get to: bus lines 28, 30, 34, 55, 102, 104, 108, 115, 118, 136, 219, 253, 332, 333, 458
• Highlights:abundant water sports, convenient life and bustling atmosphere
• Ticket: free

Dadonghai Beach is a crescent-shaped natural bay located near downtown Sanya. The sand here is fine and white and the water is clear and remains a suitable temperature all year round. It has been an ideal place for swimming, sunbathing and strolling. Besides, abundant common water sports are also available with a relatively lower price. To facilitate foreign tourists to explore freely, signs in Chinese, English and Russian have been set up in the scenic area. Around the beach, both local dishes and international cuisines can be found easily.

Nanshan Temple

• How to get to:bus lines 5, 30, 55, 116, 125, 157, 301, 466
• Highlights:108-meter-high Guanyin Statue, Buddhist culture
• Ticket: CNY 129

Nanshan Temple is a large Buddhist temple located at the southernmost tip of China. It faces the sea and is backed by a mountain. The most famous landmark should be the 108-meter-high Guanyin Statue standing in the middle of the sea. After walking across the Puji Bridge, you can look up to the statue with reverence. Another highlight is the Nanshan Temple. Its architecture imitates the Tang style. When wandering around the halls, you will feel a strong atmosphere of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. So even if you are not familiar with the Buddhist culture, the landscapes are also worth visiting.

Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park

• How to get to:bus lines 30, 115, 124, 127, 349, 350
• Highlights:rainforest exploration, glass bridge, panoramic view of Yalong Bay
• Ticket: CNY 140 – 158

As a natural wonder, Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park offers both a thrilling suspension bridge and a quiet rainforest walkway, meeting the interests of different tourists. You can stroll along the 1,000-meter-long circular walkway in the Orchid Valley to appreciate the blooming orchids around you. Then take the sightseeing car to the park on the peak. Here, you can ascend the Canghai Tower to overlook Yalong Bay. It will be unforgettable to challenge the glass suspension bridge, rainforest drifting or zip lining.

Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Area

• How to get to:bus lines 332, 375
• Highlights:natural wonders, adventure activities, Li and Miao culture experience
• Ticket: CNY 168

This scenic area perfectly combines the wonders of the rainforest and abundant cultural experiences. In the rainforest valley, a wooden plank road is built for tourists to marvel at the towering banyan tress and hundred-year-old vines and explore the six natural wonders. To enrich the experience, various exciting adventure activities are developed, such as zip lining and glass viewing platform. Besides, the local Li and Miao ethnic cultures are integrated into the scenic spot. In the zodiac square, a strong cultural atmosphere can be experienced.

Betel Nut Valley

• How to get to: bus line 332
• Highlights:immersive Li and Miao culture experience
• Ticket: CNY 96

This is a very unique scenic area that allows you to experience the culture of the indigenous Li and Miao nationalities. It is renowned as the living fossil of the ethnic culture in Hainan. You can not miss the large-scale live performance – Betel Nut · Ancient Charm. It vividly shows the rich cultural deposits through various programs such as drilling wood to make fire, weaving li brocade, firewood dance, etc. Some of them are also intangible cultural heritages. The scenes are very stunning. What’s more, you can also visit the Ganshili Village and Rainforest Miao Village to experience the authentic local life.

Yalong Bay

• How to get to: bus line 349
• Highlights: fine sand and clear water, numerous high-end resorts, abundant water sports
• Ticket: free

Known as the “First Bay in the world”, Yalong Bay is famous for its blue water, white and fine sand and complete facilities. The beach is wide and flat and is open to the public freely. You can stroll barefoot and enjoy sunbathing or swimming here. If you want to try water sports, the Yalong Bay Underwater World offers abundant options. Because of its superior natural conditions, it has been the gathering place for high-end resort hotels. A luxury vacation experience is offered.

Sanya Bay

• How to get to: bus lines5, 34, 108, 125, 127, 157, 352
• Highlights: Coconut Dream Corridor, beautiful sunset
• Ticket: free

Sanya Bay is like an open-air seaside reception hall. The public beaches are free to enter, where tourists can appreciate the breathtaking sunset, one of the most beautiful landscapes in Sanya Bay. Another highlight is the Coconut Dream Corridor. On one side of this 20-km-long seaside scenic avenue are the swaying coconut groves and silver beaches, while on the other side are resort hotels and buildings of various styles. It is very suitable for exploring on foot and by cycling.

West Island

• How to get to: bus lines 5, 30, 55, 116, 125, 157
• Highlights: quiet and primitive fishing village, coral reefs, water sports
• Ticket: CNY 95

The charm of West Island is that it perfectly integrates the pure natural scenery, abundant water sports and fishing village culture of over 400 years. So you will enjoy a unique experience. The water is clear and has high visibility and underwater are the well-preserved coral reefs, making it an excellent diving destination. Common water sports, like parasailing and banana boats, are also available. The fishing village here is the best place to feel a slow-paced life. Rent a motorbike to find the houses built with coral stones and the sea study transformed from an old fishing boat. In the afternoon, head to the Niuwang Island to appreciate the reefs and sunset.

Related reading: Top Beaches in Sanya

Plan Your Sanya Tour with China Xian Tour

During a Sanya tour, joining a tour group can save much time and effort since the attractions are basically far from each other. And to enjoy a perfect trip, our tailored itinerary will be the best choice. We can plan the tour completely based on your interests and demands. In addition, we will help you book the hotels and tickets and assign a local driver and a local guide to escort you. A seamless and care-free tour will be experienced with us. Just contact China Xian Tour now.