Major city · China
Sanya三亚
Base 3–4 nights in Dadonghai or Yalong Bay for beach and swim time; skip Sanya Bay for swimming, and avoid Chinese New Year week when prices and traffic spike.
Sanya sits at the southern tip of Hainan island, China's only tropical beach city, with year-round warmth around 25–30 °C. It is a resort town first: bays, water sports, rainforest hills and duty-free shopping. Most visitors come for 3–4 nights of beach time, or use it as a warm winter escape from the mainland cold.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, warm and sunny)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season and typhoon risk); Chinese New Year week (peak prices and crowds)
- Airport
- SYX
- Nights
- 3–4
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sanya110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sanya, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetySanya is generally safe for tourists; the real issues are restricted swimming zones, strong sun, and peak-season price gouging.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSYX Sanya Phoenix International (About 14 km (8.7 mi) west-northwest of the city centre; bus 8 runs to town…SYX Sanya Phoenix International (About 8.7 mi (14 km) west-northwest of the city centre; bus 8 runs to town…
- Getting aroundBuses cover the city and the bays on a distance-based fare of roughly ¥2–20 (≈ US$1–3), running about 06:00–23:00.Buses cover the city and the bays on a distance-based fare of roughly ¥2–20 (≈ US$1–3), running about 6:00 AM–11:00 PM.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥25–45 (≈ US$4–7)
- Sit-down mealSeafood dinner per personConfirm price per jin before ordering.¥80–200 (≈ US$12–30)
- Street or quick mealNoodle or rice bowl¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6)
- Beerdraught / can at a convenience store¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across town¥25–60 (≈ US$4–9)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride¥2–20 (≈ US$1–3)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥600 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥1,200 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥400 (≈ US$60) · Mid CN¥900 (≈ US$130) · High CN¥2,000 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SYX Sanya Phoenix International (About 14 km (8.7 mi) west-northwest of the city centre; bus 8 runs to town, and the airport has its own high-speed rail station.)SYX Sanya Phoenix International (About 8.7 mi (14 km) west-northwest of the city centre; bus 8 runs to town, and the airport has its own high-speed rail station.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Sep (249 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sanya: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
21 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
51 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
131 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
182 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
212 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
227 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
249 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
236 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
74 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses cover the city and the bays on a distance-based fare of roughly ¥2–20, running about 06:00–23:00. Taxis and ride-hailing fill the gaps between bays. The high-speed rail links Sanya with Haikou (1.5–2 h) and the coastal towns, and Sanya railway station is about 7 km north of downtown.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wuzhizhou Island
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or taxi to the Haitang Bay pier, then ferry
Diving, snorkelling and jet-skis; busy and commercial, go early.
Nanshan and the Guanyin statue
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus or taxi west past the airport
Large Buddhist site; allow half a day.
Yacheng old town
cautionDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Bus 58 or high-speed rail to Yazhou station
Oldest town in the region, with Wenming Gate and the Confucian temple; now heavily touristy.
Haikou
overnightDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
High-speed rail from Sanya station
Better as a stop on the way in or out than a return day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Dadonghai
Main foreign-tourism area, walkable beach and seafood; beach access and swimming have been restricted at times since 2023, so check locally.
Yalong Bay
Resort strip about 45 min from the airport; hotel-maintained beach, higher prices, good for families.
Haitang Bay
Quieter, farther out (about 35 min from the airport); home of the CDF duty-free mall and several luxury resorts.
Sanya city centre
Cheaper, more local, malls and street grills; not a swimming base.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥300–500 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥600–1,200 (≈ US$85–170) excl. bed
- High
- ¥1,500 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 3 nights × CN¥600 | CN¥1,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × CN¥900 | CN¥5,400 |
| Airport bus 8, one way2 × CN¥15 · check | CN¥30 |
| Wuzhizhou Island ferry and entry2 × CN¥150 · check | CN¥300 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥100 | CN¥200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥773 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,417 per person per day, bed included | CN¥8,503≈ US$1,200 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥25–45 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Noodle or rice bowl | ¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Seafood dinner per personConfirm price per jin before ordering. | ¥80–200 (≈ US$12–30) |
| Beer: draught / can at a convenience store | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| City bus ride | ¥2–20 (≈ US$1–3) |
| Taxi across town | ¥25–60 (≈ US$4–9) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Swimming is restricted or banned in parts of Sanya city and Dadonghai; use Yalong Bay, Xiaodonghai or Haitang Bay and follow posted flags.
- Chinese New Year week floods the city: expect packed beaches, traffic jams and very high hotel rates.
- May–October is the rainy season with typhoon risk; check forecasts before booking boat trips.
- Beach vendors and watersports touts quote loosely: agree the total price before you start.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Sanya三亚
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
Most countries have embassies in Beijing and consulates-general in Guangzhou or Shanghai; check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SYX airport → Dadonghai, taxi: ¥80–120 (≈ US$12–17), about 30 min (check)
- Sanya station → Dadonghai, taxi: ¥25–30 (≈ US$4–5), about 20 min (check)
- Haikou → Sanya, high-speed rail: about ¥100–130 (≈ US$14–19), 1.5–2 h (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shǎo qián)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ)
- 我不要 — I don't want it (wǒ bú yào)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sanya. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season, warm and sunny) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season and typhoon risk); Chinese New Year week (peak prices and crowds) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SYX: bus 8 and taxi fallbacks, late-arrival rung.
- Four bay clusters with swim-status checks: Dadonghai, Xiaodonghai, Yalong Bay, Haitang Bay.
- Place pages with verified hours (Luhuitou, Nanshan, Wuzhizhou ferry) and eat pages with last orders.
- Peak-season fixtures for Chinese New Year so price and crowd warnings can go green.
Sources
- officialSanya city government
- officialVisit Sanya
- secondaryWikivoyage: Sanya, revision 5243447 (CC BY-SA 4.0)