With clear blue waters and white sand beaches along its south edge, lush green mountains to the north and palm trees just about everywhere, Sanya is truly a tropical paradise with seemingly endless sun, fun and exciting activities for visitors of all nationalities, ages and interests.

Located on the southernmost tip of Hainan Island, Sanya is the island's most famous tropical resort, wonderful in the baking summer months and a popular spot in winter too. Once home to China's most reviled exiles, Sanya has been transformed from a spot that no one wanted to visit at the “End of the Earth', to become one of China's most popular, most beautiful and relaxed areas.

Sanya town is situated on a small peninsula, connected to the mainland by two bridges. The town itself is a noisy and atmospheric place. Sanya is an active naval base and men in uniform, 'ladies of the night' and fishermen all mingle together around the docks and wharf area. This is a great place to soak up some atmosphere, and the night market here is especially lively with seafood restaurants lining the streets, stores selling all types of weird and wonderful wares, and huge tea warehouses all adding to the inquisitive feeling about this place.

The beaches are definitely the biggest attraction here. Sanya has some of the most beautiful and well-maintained stretches of sand not just in China, but in southern Asia. The sand here is white. Palm trees provide shelter from the sun, and the sea is wonderfully blue and warm. This is just about the only place in China with a really laid-back feeling and atmosphere. You could spend anywhere from a few days to a week or so here soaking up the sun, relaxing and just enjoying the unique and relaxed ambience that dominates Sanya.