Water play might be the number one distraction in Sanya – but it’s far from the only one.
There was a time in China’s feudal history in which criminals were banished to Hainan Island. The exiles were unhappy indeed – surrounded by nothing but coconut trees, white sand beaches, mountains and water. All they wanted was to get home. Today, all anyone wants is to visit the place - because Hainan still offers a world of natural beauty that many visitors to the Middle Kingdom never get to see.
Visit a Tropical Forest - 50km/1-hour drive For a contemplative alternative to the charms of seaside fun, plan a trip to Ganshiling Tropical Forest, where exotic plants, wildlife and native trees are in abundance. This is also a preserve for endangered flora and fauna.
Haiya Seafood Restaurant - 6km/15-minute drive Located on Binhai Road, this a good choice for anyone interested in trying classic Hainan cuisine, including Wenchang chicken, Hele Crab, Jiaji duck, and delicious Dongshan Lamb.
Ba Guo Bu Yi - 10km/15-minute drive Make reservations if you want to experience one of Sanya’s best restaurants, named for its sister eatery in Shanghai. With a fiery menu including mapo tofu, chicken smothered in chilis and Sichuan noodles this is a hot spot indeed. Diners will be treated to live opera performances each night.
