I spent about a week in Sanya recently, but like many of the cities I’ve visited on this trip, I showed up with zero research, no plan, and just a vague sense that it might be nice.

Travel

Flight

I flew from Nanning to Sanya, landing late at night (the only flights out of Nanning were evening departures). After touching down, it took about an hour to get to my hotel in Haitang Bay via DiDi.

Transportation to the hotel

The DiDi pickup area is a bit of a walk once you exit baggage claim. There’s a taxi terminal much closer, but if you're using DiDi, follow the signs and take the elevator to the second floor. I ended up arriving at my hotel around 1 a.m.

Make sure your hotel has 24/7 check-in. I’ve seen reviews (not necessarily in Sanya, but in other parts of China) where travelers showed up late and couldn’t check in at all.

On the way back to the airport, it took a full two hours. This might have been due to rush hour traffic or Chinese New Year, but I definitely cut it close. Build in extra time just in case.

Accommodations

I stayed in a cute hotel called Sanya Haitang Bay Qingkongye Homestay (International Duty Free City Branch).

Overall Rating - 4/5

Pros

Affordable: Five nights cost me ¥1,360, which is very reasonable for a solo stay.
Spacious: I booked the Dusk Coconut Grove Double Bed Room. It came with a queen-size bed and lots of space to spread out.
Cute and cozy: The decor was very Pinterest-core, which I loved.
Near Haitang Bay and the CDF Mall: If you're planning to shop or stay near the bay, this location works well.
Nice pool: I didn’t get in, but it looked clean and well-maintained. Other guests were using it.
Laundry room: This was a lifesaver. After weeks of travel and outfit repeats, I finally got to wash everything. They even provided detergent. I tried the drying option on my last day, and it took a surprising three hours. I genuinely thought the machine might be broken.
Experience voucher: Booking through Trip.com included a discount on one of three activities:
- A photoshoot
- Paragliding (I chose this and saved ¥150)
- A yacht trip

Cons

Transportation and location: If you're trying to visit all the tourist spots, staying in Sanya Bay or downtown might make more sense. Attractions are pretty spread out, and DiDi rides can add up fast. Some activities offer free shuttles from Sanya Bay, so it may be more cost-effective in the long run.
Slight mildew smell: The sink and shower could have been cleaner. It wasn’t terrible, but it was enough to affect my overall rating. If I return to Sanya, I’d likely stay somewhere else.

Attractions

Below is an overview of the attractions I went to and how I’d rate them.

Chinese name: 亚龙湾热带天堂森林公园
Address (English):
No. 665 Yalong Bay Road, Yalong Bay National Tourism Resort, Jiyang District, Sanya, Hainan
Address (中文):
海南省三亚市吉阳区亚龙湾国家旅游度假区亚龙湾路665号
Cost:
Approx. ¥145–¥175 for general admission
Some attractions inside (glass bridge, sightseeing vehicles) may cost extra
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Chinese name: 南湾猴岛生态旅游区
Address (English):
No. 1 Wanghai Avenue, Xincun Town, Lingshui Li Autonomous County, Hainan
Address (中文):
海南省陵水黎族自治县新村镇望海大道1号
Cost:
Approx. ¥160–¥165
Ticket usually includes round-trip cable car
Rating: ⭐️⭐️☆☆☆ (1.5/5)
Chinese name: 呀诺达雨林文化旅游区
Address (English):
Sandao Town, Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County, Hainan
Address (中文):
海南省保亭黎族苗族自治县三道镇
Cost:
Approx. ¥150 for entry
Optional paid activities inside (ziplining, rafting, etc.)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Chinese name: 三亚南山文化旅游区
Address (English):
Nanshan Area, Yazhou District, Sanya, Hainan
Address (中文):
海南省三亚市崖州区南山文化旅游区
Cost:
Approx. ¥108–¥129 for general admission
Some internal transport or attractions may cost extra
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5)
Chinese name: 三亚椰梦长廊
Address (English):
Bin Hai Avenue, Tianya District, Sanya, Hainan
Address (中文):
海南省三亚市天涯区滨海大道椰梦长廊
Cost:
Free
Public seaside promenade
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5)
Common Chinese description:
三亚滑翔伞体验（多在海棠湾一带）
General location (English):
Haitang Bay area, Sanya, Hainan
General location (中文):
海南省三亚市海棠湾附近
Cost:
Approx. ¥1200–¥2000+ depending on flight length and package
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Chinese name: 海棠湾
Address (English):
Haitang District, Sanya, Hainan
Address (中文):
海南省三亚市海棠区海棠湾
Cost:
Free
Beach access is public
Activities and resorts cost extra
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5)
Chinese name: 海棠湾中免免税城
Address (English):
No. 118 Haitang North Road, Haitang District, Sanya, Hainan
Address (中文):
海南省三亚市海棠区海棠北路118号
Cost:
Free to enter
Shopping prices vary
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5)

Budget Breakdown

These numbers are approximate. I don’t track every expense in real time, and sometimes I pay in USD instead of yuan.

Flight ( Nanning to Sanya) - ¥760
Accommodation (5 nights) - ¥1,360
Transportation (DiDi) - ¥1,190
Food - ¥740
Activities - ¥2,105
Souvenirs (mainly just photos or videos) - ¥271

Total = ¥6,426

Sanya isn't the most budget-friendly destination for solo travelers, especially if you're hoping to do a lot of activities. You could definitely make it more affordable if you just want to relax at the beach or by the pool. But even basic activities like hiking come with unexpected costs from DiDi rides and entrance fees.

Final Thoughts

I would absolutely come back to Sanya, but next time I’d bring friends and make an actual plan. This trip had its peaceful moments, but having people to split costs with and coordinate activities would make a big difference.

If you found this article helpful or interesting, you might want to check out these others that I did for the other cities.

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