CN · Hainan · 18.25°N 109.50°E

sanya

China's tropical beach city on Hainan, with resorts, seafood and duty-free shopping.

Best time
November to April is dry and warm, the best beach weather, though Chinese New Year is very busy. Summer is hot and humid, and typhoons can hit from about July to October.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
Direct flights from KL take about 3 hours. If there's no direct option on your dates, connect through Guangzhou or Shenzhen.
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CN · Hainansanya18.25°N 109.50°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,China's tropical beach city on Hainan, with resorts, seafood and duty-free shopping.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingSanyaCN, Hainan
KLsanya
≈ 1,883 km from KL, as the crow flies
Sanya Bay,Sanya,Hainan.

Photo: Huangdan2060 · CC BY 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Sanya sits at the southern tip of Hainan, China's tropical island province, with palm-lined bays, big resorts and warm sea all year. It's China's go-to beach holiday, popular with families escaping the northern winter.

Makan

  1. Wenchang chickenThe Hainan chicken behind our Hainanese chicken rice, poached and served with dipping sauces.Map ↗
  2. Market seafoodBuy seafood at the First Market and have it cooked at one of the restaurants around it.Map ↗
  3. Coconut chicken hotpotChicken cooked in fresh coconut water, a light Hainan favourite.Map ↗
  4. QingbuliangAn icy coconut-milk dessert with beans, fruit and jellies.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Yalong BayA long curve of white sand and clear water, lined with big resorts.Map ↗
  2. Nanshan and the Guanyin statueA large Buddhist park with a 108-metre Guanyin standing in the sea.Map ↗
  3. Wuzhizhou IslandAn island with some of Sanya's clearest water, for snorkelling, diving and water sports.Map ↗
  4. Tianya HaijiaoSeaside rocks carved with characters meaning 'the ends of the earth', a famous photo spot.Map ↗
  5. Duty-free shoppingHainan's offshore duty-free rules make the big Haitang Bay duty-free mall a major draw.Map ↗

Good to know

  • At the seafood markets, check the weight and the cooking charges before you pay.
  • The sun is strong all year. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat.
  • Malaysians can currently visit mainland China visa-free for short stays, but check the latest rules before you fly.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.