Sanya: At the Southern Tip of Hainan, the Sea Changes Into Three Colors
中文版 Chinese version → In December 2025, I set off from Shenzhou Peninsula in Wanning and drove 112 km south along the east coast into Sanya. This was the southernmost point of the whole Hainan island loop — and the only stop where I stayed in a hotel. In Haikou I stayed at a friend's home, in Shenzhou Peninsula I stayed at a friend's home; in Sanya, a hotel. Sanya's first impression is one of arrival: Haikou was where the trip began, Wanning was the base I settled into, and Sanya was the destination itself. Three bays spread out, an island floats offshore, and further inland, in the mountains, there is a village that has stood for three thousand years. 1. Three bays, three kinds of stay Sanya Bay is closest to the airport and the city center — convenient, and best for first-time visitors who want to wander around town. Yalong Bay has the best beach and the clearest water, with resort hotels clustered together — best for a pure beach holiday. Haitang Bay is newer, ho...