Sanya, China’s Tropical Playground
4 min readWhite sand, blue water and paon for sun worshippers.
Pearl-white beaches and swaying palms greet sitors to China’s tropical paradise.
Whether sipping coconut milk as the clean ocean water laps at your feet or floating through a coral jungle, you’ll find Sanya is the place to go for “beach, sun and ful, When southerners head to China’s frozen northeast to catch the snow sculptures and ice lanterns in the winter, the northerners stream south to Hainan Province for Sanya’s sun beaches and luxuriant jungles. On the southernmost point of China’s southernmost of China freezes in frigid winters, Sanya remains balmy and sun strut down the beach in Speedos and bikinis, digging their toes into the white that this holiday paradise was once considered a place of exile. far away as possible and this steamy island on the edge of end of the world. in Hainan is 17 miles (28 km)southeast of Sanya at Yalong Bay 4.3-mile-long (7 km) crescent shaped beach is one long strip of clean white sand rolling blue waters and luxury hotels. The pristine waters off this beach are amazingly clear with underwater visibility up to 33 feet(10 m). This lends and snorkelling, two of the most popular activities. For those who are motorboats or rent jet skis and zip over the waves For something not involving water, take to the air for a seagull-eye-view of the beach by going parasailing.
The Central Square(zhongxin guangchang) at the resort has all the amenities for an unhurried stay open air cafe souvenir stores selling handicrafts made from seashells -and overlooking the whole expanse is a 95-foot-high (29 m) totem pole carved with images of animals and Chinese deities Dadonghai (dadonghai is a 1. 2-mile-long (2 km) beach that’s one of the most popular and is only 1. 8 miles (3 km southeast of Sanya. Its main draw is the abundance of activities available for both the adventurous and timid. All the excitement found at Yalong Bay is readily available here at better prices. Although not exactly 20, 000 leagues unde the sea, a submarine tour offers great views of the vibrant corals and reefs. Between Dadonghai and Sanya is the Luhuitou Park(luhui tou gongyuan), where a large cliff shaped like a deer extends into the sea. According to legend, an anci hunter stalked his prey for two days. When he was finally overcome by exhaustion, the deer turned its head and looked back at the hunter and suddenly turned into a beautiful maiden.
One thing led to another and their descendants are now the Li ethnic minority that inhabits this part of the island. Today a large 39-foot-high (12 m) stone statue of a deer commemorates this event. Climbing the cliff also gives a spectacular view of the surrounding area, especially as the sun sets over the ocean and the city lights up.
About 16 miles (26 km) west of Sanya at Maling Shan is Tianya-Haijiao (tianya haijiao) The beach here is peppered with rounded water-worn- boulders. Two large boulders, about 66 feet (20 m)-high and over198 feet (60 m)-long, have the characterstianya-haijiao, meaning “edge of the sky, rim of the sea, carved into them.
This site is of special significance to tourists because this was once considered the end of the known world. Many melancholic poems have been written by disgraced officials, with one official decrying that it would take a bird six months to fly here.
More than beaches and sun, Hainan’s mountainous terrain is home to clusters of sleepy villages. About 55 miles (89 km) from Sanya is Tongshi City, which is close to traditional Miao and Li villages. The Li are the original inhabitants of Hainan and are known for the bright clothes and long straight dresses that are decorated with seashells, coral, small bells and pearls. The Miao were originally from Guangxi and many moved to Hainan during the Ming dynasty as part of the Ming army. Many settled on the island and moved into the rugged mountains where most of their villages are now. Two traditional courtship festivals are held usually in early-April and display the vibrant culture of Hainan’s inhabitants.
Not far from these villages is the Wuzhi Shan (wuzhi shan ) At 6,125 feet (1,867 m) above sea level, it’s Hainan’s highest point and the symbol of the province.The five peaks of the mountain are covered with lush tropical jungles and misty clouds.
Climbing up the peak, with the mist rolling in, gives visitors a sense of what it’s li walk on clouds. There are rapids on the mountain and white-water rafting is a popular to sport.
Miss World contestants add to Sanya’s beauty.
It’s best to make arrangements with your hotel to go white water-rafting. You can head out yourself by taking a 2-hour bus ride to Wuzhi Shan City from Sanya. Buses begin at 7am another bus to Wuzhi Shan Town, then a motorcycle to the rapids. The rapids are at their best from July to October and safety gear is a must.
