First-Timer's Guide to Sanya: Everything You Need to Know

Day 1: Sanya, Hainan - Exploring the City and Coastal Beauty • Morning: ◦ Arrival and Check-in: Upon arrival in Sanya, head to your pre-booked hotel to check in. Hotels near Sanya Bay are ideal for convenient travel and beautiful ocean views. Take some time to rest and recover from your journey. ◦ Stroll along Coconut Dream Corridor: This free coastal boulevard along Sanya Bay features a beautiful combination of beaches and coconut trees, perfect for walking and photography. You can walk along the corridor slowly, enjoying the views of the blue sea, sky, sunshine, and sandy beaches while experiencing Sanya's tropical atmosphere. When tired, you can rest on the beach chairs and enjoy some leisure time. • Noon: ◦ Lunch Options: There are many restaurants near Sanya Bay. Try local specialties like Hainan Chicken Rice, featuring tender and juicy chicken with fragrant rice, served with special sauce - absolutely delicious. Or try Qing Bu Liang, a Hainan special dessert containing mung beans, red beans, barley, peanuts, coconut meat, and other ingredients, topped with coconut milk or sugar water. It's refreshingly sweet and perfect for hot weather. • Afternoon: ◦ Visit Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark: Located in Atlantis Hotel, this exciting water park features many thrilling attractions. The Leap of Faith is a must-try - you'll drop vertically from nearly 8 stories high through a transparent tube, experiencing momentary weightlessness and excitement. The Eye of the Storm is a giant vortex slide offering thrilling high-speed spins. Remember to follow staff instructions for safety. • Evening: ◦ Dinner and Night Market Experience: Enjoy dinner at restaurants near Atlantis, perhaps trying a seafood feast with dishes like salt and pepper mantis shrimp or steamed grouper. The simple cooking methods preserve the natural flavors of fresh seafood. Afterward, visit Yiheng Night Market, a lively place with various food stalls, handicraft shops, and clothing stores. You can taste local snacks like barbecue skewers and stir-fried ice cream, and buy some unique souvenirs. Day 2: Island Adventure and Shopping • Morning: ◦ Head to Wuzhizhou Island: Known as "China's Maldives," Wuzhizhou Island is one of Sanya's most famous islands. Book tickets and ferry passes in advance through the "Wuzhizhou Tourism" WeChat account. The boat ride takes about 20 minutes, offering beautiful ocean views. On the island, you can walk along the beach, enjoying the white sand and crystal-clear water, or try water activities like diving, parasailing, and jet skiing. • Noon: ◦ Island Dining: The island has several restaurants and food stalls serving local specialties like Coconut Rice and Baoluo Rice Noodles. Coconut Rice is steamed glutinous rice and coconut meat served in coconut shells, offering a rich coconut flavor. Baoluo Rice Noodles is a Hainan specialty featuring soft noodles in savory broth, served with beef jerky, peanuts, and other toppings. • Afternoon: ◦ Visit CDF Mall: After returning from the island, head to CDF Mall. This shopping paradise features many international brands with comprehensive product selections at competitive prices. You can shop for cosmetics, skincare products, watches, jewelry, and more. Remember to verify prices and quality to protect your interests. • Evening: ◦ Lingwang Night Market Experience: Visit Lingwang Night Market, a local favorite with authentic food. Try local specialties like Lingshui Sour Rice Noodles and Zaopo Vinegar Soup. The rice noodles are smooth with sweet and sour broth, served with fish cakes and beef jerky. Zaopo Vinegar Soup is a fermented vinegar soup containing seafood, vegetables, and rice noodles - perfect for those who enjoy sour flavors. Day 3: Tropical Rainforest and Cultural Heritage Tour • Morning: ◦ Visit Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park: Book tickets in advance through the Princess account. This park, featured in the movie "If You Are the One 2," is rich in tropical plants and wildlife. Take a sightseeing car tour to enjoy the rainforest scenery, visit the Cross-river Dragon Bridge and Bird's Nest Resort, and experience the romantic movie atmosphere. If you enjoy hiking, choose from several trails to explore the rainforest. • Noon: ◦ Lunch in the Park: The park has restaurants and food stalls serving local specialties like Bamboo Tube Rice and grilled chicken wings. Bamboo Tube Rice is rice steamed with chicken and Chinese sausage in bamboo containers, giving the rice a pleasant bamboo fragrance. • Afternoon: ◦ Visit Tianya Haijiao Tourist Area: After leaving the forest park, head to Tianya Haijiao. This southernmost attraction in Sanya features impressive rocks and beautiful beaches. Take a walk along the shore, enjoy the scenic views, and take photos. The area also contains historical and cultural relics like the Tianya and Haijiao stones, offering insights into Sanya's history and culture. • Evening: ◦ Dinner and Departure Preparation: Enjoy dinner at restaurants near Tianya Haijiao, trying local seafood or specialty dishes. Return to your hotel to pack for departure. If time allows, enjoy the sunset by the sea for a perfect ending to your Sanya trip.