Holiday in Sanya
City in China — tips, highlights & best time to visit
Country
China
Type
City
Best time to travel
November to April (dry season, 22-28 °C, perfect beach weather). May-October hotter and more humid with occasional typhoons.
Budget/day
60-130 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Sanya Phoenix (SYX, approx. 12-15 h with a stopover in Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong). Hainan has a 30-day visa-free policy.
Deals for Sanya:
What makes Sanya special as a destination?
Sanya is located at the southern tip of Hainan Island and is China's only tropical beach paradise — often referred to as 'China's Hawaii'. The city offers palm-fringed beaches, turquoise waters, and warm temperatures year-round, making it the most popular bathing destination in the 1.4 billion-inhabitant country. Yalong Bay — the 'Billionaires' Beach' — is a 7.5 km long crescent of fine white sand, surrounded by luxury resorts and tropical vegetation. Dadonghai Beach is livelier and more accessible with beach restaurants and water sports. Haitang Bay is home to the world's largest duty-free shop. The Nanshan Temple complex on the west coast houses the 108-meter tall Guanyin statue — one of the largest Buddhist statues in the world, overlooking the sea on three sides. Wuzhizhou Island is a small island with crystal-clear waters for snorkeling and diving — China's best coral reef. The Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone offers rainforest experiences with treetop walkways, waterfalls, and a spectacular zip line over the rainforest canopy. At the end of winter, Sanya transforms into a winter escape for millions of Chinese tourists from the cold north.
What are the top highlights in Sanya?
The top highlights in Sanya include Yalong Bay, Nanshan Temple & Guanyin, Wuzhizhou Island, Yanoda Rainforest, Haitang Bay Duty Free.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Yalong Bay
7.5 km of fine white sand: China's most beautiful beach with luxury resorts and tropical flair — 'China's Hawaii'.
Nanshan Temple & Guanyin
108 m tall Guanyin statue overlooking the sea on three sides: one of the largest Buddhist statues in the world.
Wuzhizhou Island
Small island with crystal-clear waters: China's best snorkeling and diving area with colorful corals.
Yanoda Rainforest
Tropical rainforest with treetop walkway, waterfalls, and zip line: nature adventure away from the beaches.
Haitang Bay Duty Free
World's largest duty-free shop: shopping paradise with luxury brands at tax-free prices for travelers to China.
Tianya Haijiao
'Ends of the Earth': legendary rock formations on the beach, a symbol of the world's boundaries for centuries.
Hotels in Sanya
Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.
* You will be redirected to Expedia.de. Their terms of use apply.
Reise-SIM für Sanya
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Sanya?
The best time to visit Sanya is November to April (dry season, 22-28 °C, perfect beach weather). May-October hotter and more humid with occasional typhoons.. 28-34 °C, hot and humid with occasional typhoons In winter: 18-26 °C, pleasantly warm and dry — perfect winter escape
Recommended travel time
November to April (dry season, 22-28 °C, perfect beach weather). May-October hotter and more humid with occasional typhoons.
Summer
28-34 °C, hot and humid with occasional typhoons
Winter
18-26 °C, pleasantly warm and dry — perfect winter escape
How much does a holiday in Sanya cost?
Budget travellers: 30-55 €/day, mid-range: 60-130 €/day, luxury: 150-500 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
30-55 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
60-130 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
150-500 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Sanya?
Flight to Sanya Phoenix (SYX, approx. 12-15 h with a stopover in Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong). Hainan has a 30-day visa-free policy.
Book a package holiday to Sanya
Compare thousands of package holidays to Sanya and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Sanya?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Visa-free — Hainan has offered visa-free access for 30 days since 2018 when entering through Hainan airports. Passport + return ticket are sufficient.
Duty-Free Shopping — shop tax-free up to 100,000 RMB (approx. 13,000 €) at CDF Haitang Bay. Best during the week without queues.
Yalong Bay vs. Dadonghai — Yalong Bay for tranquility and luxury, Dadonghai for budget and nightlife. Haitang Bay as a compromise.
Snorkeling at Wuzhizhou — ferry from Haitang Bay (20 min.). Book tickets online in advance, limited access on weekends.
Winter high season — December-February is the most expensive time as millions of Chinese escape the cold. Take advantage of early booking prices.
What should you eat in Sanya?
Typical specialities in Sanya: Wenchang Chicken — Hainan's most famous dish: tender poached chicken with ginger-scallion sauce and chicken rice., Hele Crab — fresh crab in various preparations: steamed, with garlic, or as congee — Sanya's seafood star., Hainan Powder Soup — rice noodle soup with pork and clear broth: the typical Hainan breakfast, simple and flavorful., Coconut Chicken — chicken cooked in fresh coconut milk: tropical comfort food, mild in flavor and warming., Tropical Fruits — mango, papaya, dragon fruit, coconut: all fresh and cheaper than anywhere else in China..
These specialties you must try!
