When individuals picture a tropical vacation in Asia, they generally imagine places like Thailand, Bali, the Philippines, and Vietnam as the preferred holiday destinations. However, China is not one country that could be easily thought of when beach holidays are concerned. But if one travels far south, they will discover Hainan Island, also known as the “Hawaii of China.”
The destination of Sanya, located at the southern end of Hainan, provides a view of a different aspect of China. Instead of usual bustling historical sites or other famous cities, tourists will be surrounded by beaches, palm trees, seafood markets, warm environment, and enjoying the relaxed pace.
Sanya reveals what a tropical vacation in China looks like and what the cost of food, accommodation, and transportation stands at.
Is Sanya China’s answer to the need of tropical vacation?
When people arrive at an island, one of the first things they want to see is the beach, which is very easy to do in Sanya.
The coastline is characterized by fine sand, clear tropical scenery, abundant coconut trees, and the presence of many people having fun at the beach. For those who wish to get an adrenaline rush, jet skis can be hired. During the stay, it was found out that a jet ski ride costs around 200 yuan, but the ride may last differently, according to the operator.
One of the interesting things about Sanya is that its beach activities may be different from what Western tourists are used to. Sunbathing is not very popular among Asians generally. Instead, the use of an umbrella is rather common whether it rains or sun shines.
The beach is usually very relaxed. One can see many locals walking, playing music, working out, dancing, or just hanging out with family, and friends.
The most unexpected thing was the presence of elderly people playing music near the public places. Unlike many musicians who play to earn some money from the audience, these musicians seem to love what they do and entertain people around them.
A Surprising Sense of Security on the Beach
What impressed most on the beach visit was the number of surveillance cameras on the public grounds.
For a person traveling alone, this may give one a sense of comfort. Leaving a smartphone, wallet, or camera on the beach while going for a dip naturally makes one feel uneasy in many places. In Sanya, however, the large number of cameras gives the impression that belongings are not easy to steal.
Certainly, tourists should exercise proper caution with their valuables. Nevertheless, the general situation during the stay was orderly and relaxed.
The beach was also very clean, with rather little of the mess that is often present in crowded tropical places.
What Is the Water Like in Sanya?
While the beach is appealing, the water doesn’t provide the clarity characteristic of renowned tropical islands in Southeast Asia.
From the beach, it was hard to see the bottom. If you are focused on the transparency of the water, this is one of the weaknesses when compared to some beaches in Thailand, the Philippines, or Indonesia.
However, that does not mean that the beach is unattractive. The combination of sand, coconut palms, warm climate, and lively promenade forms a good holiday.
So, Sanya has a slightly different offer, as it combines the beach with urban benefits and activities, food, shopping, and transport, as well as Chinese culture.
Food experiences start almost immediately in Sanya.
Near the beach, vendors sell tropical fruits such as mangoes and pineapples. Buying fruits is easy because mobile payments are widely used in China.
Buying mango from the beach seller was particularly pleasant because of its sweet taste of a mango type known from the traditional sweet dessert mango sticky rice in Thailand.
Moreover, many other peculiarities of modern Chinese tourism can be observed in this case. A simple purchase can be made quickly and easily by scanning a QR code.
Notably, for international travelers, the acquisition of relevant payment systems prior to their arrival can facilitate their transactions while abroad.
How an eSIM Can Benefit Travelers in China
Connecting to the internet is one of the first challenges that international travelers encounter after stepping on foreign soil.
Instead of getting a traditional SIM card at the airport, travelers can use an eSIM, provided their smartphones have the capability for it. The eSIM can be set up during departure so that the traveler can connect to any network as soon as they land.
This becomes particularly important in China, as having access to the internet is critical for navigation, translations, payments, transportation, etc.
For instance, getting an eSIM before traveling to Hainan can help to make the arrival much easier.
Eating Local Dumplings in Sanya
Sanya has much more to offer than just its beaches.
One affordable snack on this trip was steamed dumplings. Six pieces can be bought for about ten yuan, giving travelers a cheap option for a quick meal. The dumplings were made of meat and vegetables, but it was not known what kind of meat was used. The dumplings could be eaten straight from the steaming vessel or eaten with sauces.
Some chili, green onion, garlic, and some soy and vinegar sauce were present. It was a simple but fulfilling meal. Steamed dumplings are especially good when eaten right from the cooking vessel.
Walking to a viewpoint to overlook Sanya Bay.
The beauty of Sanya is better seen from above.
One can get to a viewpoint by taking a taxi followed by climbing uphill for 25-30 minutes. One will have to walk at times on steep paths and mosquitoes may be a problem.
That makes the result rewarding.
At its peak, Sanya seems to be bigger than it appears at first because of its laidback beach vibe. A huge part of the city is covered by residential buildings, and the coastline and nearby mountains create a powerful contrast between city development and tropical surroundings.
The best part is that one does not need to pay anything to reach this point, which is great for travelers on low budgets.
Interesting Facts About Hainan Island
Hainan is the southernmost major island province in China and has a tropical climate.
Sanya is на the southern part of the island while traveling from the city to the north may take several hours by car.
Weather is warm all year round and the yearly average temperature is about 25°C or 77°F.
Another big advantage is the duty-free shopping in the island. Some locations allow qualified guests to purchase certain goods without being charged taxes that are present across the whole China.
This is basically one of the reasons why Hainan is popular among local tourists.
How Approachable are the Locals in Sanya?
Interacting with the local inhabitants could be one of the best experiences you have while you’re in Sanya.
English isn’t widely used, especially by older fellows and street sellers. Still, it’s not a major obstacle on your way to communicate.
Many locals were eager to know about the tourist, asking him where he came from and why he was in China. Some came to him first by their own initiation long before the chat began.
It’s worth noting that translation applications can help in such situations. A couple of words, gestures, smiles, and patience can help surprisingly much.
The story proves that visiting less familiar places can be extremely helpful when it comes to communicating with local people.
Getting Around in Sanya via Public Transport
You should not spend too much money getting from one place to another in Sanya.
The city has an excellent tram system that allows you to keep the expenses at a minimum level. One ride would cost you just a couple of yuans. The vehicles are properly kept, clean, and conditioned.
Ride-hailing services offer yet another option for travelers. The Chinese ride-hailing service reached out to travelers seeking transport during their trip in comparison to their airfares. A normal journey lasting 15 to 20 minutes may cost around 15 to 20 yuan.
An economical way to travel for np tourists is to combine public transport with ride-hailing services.
Sanya Night Market
Sanya really comes alive after sundown.
The appearance of night markets is a key feature of the Asian travel culture and Sanya is no exception — there are plenty of places to experience what the night life offers, including street food, shopping, and entertainment.
The night market visited by the travelers boasted of outdoor stalls as well as a food court, which arguably provides more options compared to a regular market.
Seafood lovers will be delighted to explore the never-ending variety of shellfish and fish dishes exhibited at the market.
Not to mention the bizarre snacks and desserts available here.
Take, for instance, the Sanya coconut egg, a dessert made of coconut meat that gets its name from its egg-like appearance.
Undoubtedly, trying a new dish can be confusing, but tasting new foods is one of the exciting aspects of visiting a night market.
The Popular Snack: Tornado Potato
One of the favorite snack foods that is loved by many night-market visitors is known as tornado potato.
The preparation of the dish is interesting enough in itself. The potato is sliced a long way so that it turns into a long curly shape resembling a tornado, after which it is covered in batter and fried, and served with sauces.
Actually, it is not as big as it looks.
The potato is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. There are also ketchup and mayonnaise which can be used as sauces.
Tornado potatoes can be found at night markets in all corners of Asia bringing them to travelers who have already visited such countries as Thailand or Malaysia. But having it at a night market in China is something unique for them.
Searching for Hainan Chicken Rice
One of the most interesting things I learned while traveling in Sanya is that Hainan is the home of Hainanese chicken rice.
Finally, a chicken-and-rice dish was discovered in the local area that has several things in common with the Hainanese chicken rice.
The rice served with the dish is not like the regular boiled rice, as in Hainan chicken rice special rice is prepared using chicken fat and chicken stock.
The chicken was boiled well and served with a delicate savory sauce as well as vegetables.
The meal that was encountered during the trip was nicknamed the regional specialty and cannot be pointed out as Hainanese chicken rice.
The experience also shows how interesting a culinary journey can be: the dish, closely associated with Singapore and Malaysia, actually comes from Hainan, which has been transferred southward by the immigrants from that area.
A Hotel with a Beach View and Price Range of $100 Per Night
Accommodation plays a great role in determining how expensive or cheap the vacation will be, but Sanya is able to bring surprises in terms of price.
Thus, during the visit, a room in Four Points property was booked for only about $100 per night with breakfast included.
The guestroom received during the stay was an upgrade as the traveler had a Marriott Gold Elite membership. The upgraded room had spacious sitting room and bedroom, several bathrooms, bathtub, walk-in closet, desks, televisions, and the balconies overlooking the ocean.
The original room reservation was also said to be an ocean view room with balcony, which is an attractive offer itself already without an upgrade.
The room received in the upgrade was worth around $160 a night.
Sanya vs Hawaii Hotel Rates
The comparison of hotels becomes more exciting when comparing different tropical destinations.
A beachfront hotel in Honolulu can cost up to several times more than a hotel of a similar type in Sanya. The results of the search showed some options priced from $537 to $624 a night.
So, the price comparison makes sense.
You can have an idea of what an experience with a beachfront hotel during high season in Sanya can be like if you estimate the price of around $100 per night.
Of course, hotel prices differ by dates, demand, type of the room, membership status, and current promotions. However, the comparison highlights the appeals of Hainan for budget travelers.
How Much Will A Two-Day Trip to Sanya Cost?
The total amount spent on the trip to Sanya will depend largely on where the travelers stay and how much they spend.
The estimated budget for the two-day trip included hotel, taxi, meals, snacks, local transportation, and other daily expenses, with accommodation being the most significant item on the list while transportation and local food being the least expensive ones.
The affordability of Sanya is particularly appealing to tourists during the trip as it ensures the continuing presence of the necessary infrastructure at a moderate price.
Every traveler will spend a different amount of money, but the trip has shown that Sanya does not need great expenses for traveling.
Is Sanya worth visiting by Western tourists?
Although Sanya may still be relatively unknown, its obscurity can even be regarded as a benefit.
People can enjoy the mixture that can hardly be found somewhere else that consists of tropical beaches, Chinese culture, cheap street food, modern transportation, shopping places, and well-planned city.
There are advantages and disadvantages.
The sea may not be as clear as the best beaches in Southeast Asia. Not everyone speaks English in every situation. Sometimes, food experiences involve using an application for translation.
However, these disadvantages are compensated by the smiles of many locals, cashless payments, affordable means of transport, and the atmosphere of being in a less known destination.
Visa Regulations Make Hainan Unique
Apart from that, it is worth mentioning the special entry requirements for visiting Hainan that apply to international tourists.
Visa regulations may vary based on the nationality of the traveler and may change over time. Some passport owners are granted different conditions of visa-free entry to Hainan than to mainland China.
For instance, the author of the trip, as can be seen in their story of the trip, noted that the stay with a German passport in Hainan lasted longer than with a relevant passport for entering the mainland at that time.
The changing nature of immigration policies means travelers must double-check the latest options before booking flights.
Sanya dispels the belief that China is solely a destination for cultural vacations.
Instead, palm trees dominate the coastline, people flock to the beach to enjoy the heat, markets remain bustling during the night, and cheap local meals are readily available.
While the region might not completely replace the likes of Thailand, Bali, or the Philippines for those in search of pristine turquoise waters, only making this type of comparison would overlook the distinctive characteristics that this area has to offer.
Sanya provides an experience reminiscent of tropical holidays enriched with Chinese influence.
For people searching for budget-friendly tourist spots in China or want to experience an alternative perspective on the island life, Hainan could be the fitting destination.
The combination of stunning beaches, warm weather, local cuisine, friendly social interactions, convenient transportation infrastructure, and fairly priced hotels makes Sanya one of the intriguing tropical destinations in China.
The biggest surprise is that although “the Hawaii of China” is less known around the globe than its Southeast Asian competitors, this could be a reason for daring travelers to visit it.
