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.
About Sanya
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.
Top 6 highlights in Sanya
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
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Sanya
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to travel for Sanya
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?
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
Book a package holiday to Sanya
Compare thousands of package holidays to Sanya and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays now5 travel tips 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.
Food & drink in Sanya
These specialties you must try!
