Sanya, China

Cruises from/to Sanya (Hainan)

Sanya - the tropical resort pearl of Hainan Island and mainland China's first international cruise port. The city sits at the very southern tip of the island, where the waves of the South China Sea wash the sandy shores of Sanya Bay, Dadonghai and Yalong Bay, while low tropical hills shelter the coast from cold winds. More than 2,100 years ago, in 111 BC, these lands were annexed by the Han Empire, and medieval Chinese called this remote southern frontier Yazhou, regarding it as the true edge of the world — «Tianya Haijiao», meaning «the edge of the sky and the corner of the sea». Yet Sanya only gained independent city status on 30 December 1987, making it one of China's youngest administrative units, and over the past nearly four decades it has grown from a quiet fishing village into the country's most popular tropical resort, one that visitors happily call «China's Hawaii». 
For a cruise traveller, Sanya means first and foremost Phoenix Island International Cruise Terminal, opened in November 2006 on the artificial island of the same name in Sanya Bay — the very place where the history of international cruise shipping in China began. From here, liners set sail for Hong Kong, Vietnam and other ports of Southeast Asia, and the port is increasingly serving as a home port for regional cruise brands. In 2006–2024 alone, the port handled more than 1,600 ship calls and 2.03 million passengers, and on 3 January 2025 it welcomed the season's first international liner, the «Gulangyu», carrying 456 travellers. 🚢

📋 Before setting sail from Sanya or stepping ashore for a few hours during a call, here's what you should know:
🇨🇳 Country: People's Republic of China
📍 Region: Hainan Province (China's largest special economic zone), Sanya — one of the island's four prefecture-level cities
👥 Population: about 1.12 million residents (as of the end of 2024; within the built-up urban area — around 818,000)
📐 Area: 1,919.58 km²
🗣️ Languages: Putonghua (official Mandarin Chinese) and the Hainanese dialect; in mountain areas — the languages of the Li and Miao minorities; English and Russian are widely used in tourist zones
💰 Currency: yuan, or renminbi (¥, CNY)
🕐 Time zone: CST (UTC+8) — 5–6 hours ahead of Kyiv (China does not observe daylight saving time)
☀️ Climate: tropical monsoon, with no true winter: average annual temperature +26.5 °C, coolest month — January (around +22 °C), warmest — June (around +29.5 °C); sea temperature never drops below +22 °C
✈️ Nearest airport: Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) — about 8–10 km from the cruise terminal
⚓ Official name of the cruise port: Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Port (三亚凤凰岛国际邮轮港)
🗺️ Port area: a terminal of about 10,000 m² on the artificial Phoenix Island, spanning roughly 40 hectares and linked to mainland Sanya by a bridge

🏛️ The history of Sanya — from remote Yazhou to China's tropical capital
⏳ Over 2,000 years on the edge of the empire
The history of Sanya is the history of the empire's southernmost and, at the same time, most remote outpost. The lands of present-day Hainan were annexed by the Han dynasty as early as 111 BC, and over the following centuries — through the Sui, Tang and Song dynasties — the local administrative unit changed its name several times, until in 972 it finally became known as Yazhou. Because of its remoteness from the imperial centre, the region earned the grim reputation of a «place of exile»: emperors banished disgraced officials here, including the Tang chancellor Li Deyu and the Song chancellor Zhao Ding — for an official, exile to Yazhou was close to the end of the world, which is how the region acquired its poetic name «Tianya Haijiao» — «the edge of the sky and the corner of the sea». 
🌴 From fishing village to tropical resort capital
As late as the early 1980s, Sanya was still a modest fishing town of simple dwellings built to withstand the humid climate and typhoons. Everything changed in 1984, when Yaxian County was reorganised into a city, and on 26 September 1987 Sanya officially gained prefecture-level city status — with the formal inauguration ceremony held on 30 December of the same year. The very next year, in 1988, the whole of Hainan Island was granted special economic zone status, sparking rapid resort development in Yalong Bay and Dadonghai. In 2005, construction was completed near Nanshan Temple on a 108-metre statue of Guanyin — one of the tallest statues of the goddess of mercy in the world, visible from the sea long before a ship reaches shore — which became a symbol of the new, tourism-driven Sanya. 
A milestone for the cruise industry came in 2006, when mainland China's first international cruise terminal opened on the newly built artificial Phoenix Island. In 2018, the country's leadership announced the creation of the Hainan Free Trade Port, and on 18 December 2025 the entire island officially moved to a regime of «independent customs operations» — making Hainan China's first full-scale island-wide free economic zone of this kind, with the duty-free shopping quota for residents and outbound visitors raised to 100,000 yuan per person per year. 🛍️

⚓ The Port of Sanya — China's first maritime gateway for international cruises
📊 Scale and structure of the port
Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Port sits on the artificial Phoenix Island, spanning roughly 40 hectares (1,250 by 350 metres) and linked to mainland Sanya by a bridge nearly 400 metres long (about a 10-minute walk). The terminal, covering around 10,000 m², opened in November 2006 with a single berth able to receive vessels of up to 80,000 tonnes — at the time, mainland China's first international cruise port. In 2015, the port was expanded with an additional berth for Royal Caribbean's Voyager-class liners, at around 140,000 tonnes, and following a second expansion phase in 2016, berths capable of receiving vessels of up to 225,000 tonnes were added — making it one of the few ports in Asia able to host the largest modern cruise liners. Total investment in the port's infrastructure is estimated at over 480 million US dollars (USD).
Besides Phoenix Island, two smaller cruise terminals operate in Sanya's Haitang Bay — the Sanya International Cruise Home Port (handling domestic voyages, capacity up to 3,000 passengers) and a terminal on Wuzhizhou Island for short pleasure cruises (capacity up to 1,000 passengers). Together, all three facilities form the cruise infrastructure that has turned Sanya into Southern China's leading maritime resort hub.

🚢 How many liners the port can host
Following its expansion, Phoenix Island port can host several large cruise liners at once. Over the years of operation alone, from 2006 through the end of 2024, the port logged more than 1,600 ship calls and served over 2.03 million passengers, and in early 2025 it launched Hainan Province's first «dual home port» model together with Hong Kong — allowing liners to embark and disembark passengers in either Sanya or Hong Kong.

🏢 Which cruise lines sail from Sanya
Historically, liners from Royal Caribbean International, Costa Cruises (its Asian division), Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises and Viking Ocean have called at Phoenix Island, and international cruise shipping at the port is actively recovering after the pandemic-era pause. Chinese national operators are also playing an increasingly prominent role, notably Adora Cruises, which is expanding its route network among the ports of Southern China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asian resorts. 🌏

💡 Interesting facts about Sanya and its port
A few lesser-known details make for a richer visit:
🏝️ Phoenix Island, home to the cruise terminal, is an entirely artificial structure measuring 1,250 by 350 metres, built in Sanya Bay and connected to the shore by a bridge.
🥇 The cruise terminal on Phoenix Island became mainland China's first international cruise port — it opened in November 2006, long before the major terminals in Shanghai or Guangzhou.
🗽 The 108-metre statue of Guanyin near Nanshan Temple is one of the tallest statues of the goddess of mercy in the world; it can be seen from the sea long before a liner reaches port.
📜 In ancient times, Yazhou (present-day Sanya) was regarded in China as the «edge of the world» — emperors exiled some of their highest-ranking officials here, including chancellors from two different dynasties.
🏙️ Sanya is one of China's youngest cities: it only gained official city status on 30 December 1987, even though the history of these lands stretches back at least 2,100 years.
🌊 The sea off Sanya never cools below +22 °C, making it one of mainland China's warmest year-round resorts — earning it the nickname «China's Hawaii».
🛍️ Since 18 December 2025, all of Hainan, including Sanya, has operated as a free trade port with a duty-free shopping quota of up to 100,000 yuan per person per year — one of the largest trade experiments in modern China.
⛵ Alongside the cruise port, Phoenix Island hosts a thriving yacht tourism industry, with a marina offering several hundred berths.

📍 Sanya's top landmarks — must-sees for cruise travellers
A cruise ship call at Sanya usually lasts between 8 and 12 hours, so it's worth planning your route in advance. You'll find a detailed list with addresses, prices and opening hours in the «Landmarks and Places of Interest» section; below is a short overview of the iconic spots that define the city.
🙏 Nanshan Temple and the Guanyin Statue — a seaside Buddhist complex with a 108-metre statue of the goddess of mercy, one of Southern China's leading spiritual landmarks.
🌅 Tianya Haijiao («The Edge of the Sky and the Corner of the Sea») — an iconic rocky coastal stretch strewn with boulders, celebrated in Chinese poetry since the days when disgraced officials were exiled here.
🏖️ Yalong Bay — Sanya's most prestigious resort area, with pristine white sand and the highest concentration of five-star hotels.
🏄 Wuzhizhou Island — a coral bay with crystal-clear water, a popular spot for diving and water sports.
🌳 Yanoda Rainforest — a nature park with rope bridges strung through the treetops and cultural programmes showcasing the Li ethnic group.
🛍️ The duty-free mall in Haitang Bay — China's largest duty-free shopping centre, an excellent place to shop now that the new free-port rules are in effect.
🦌 Luhuitou Park — a hilltop viewpoint with a deer statue, offering a panorama over the whole city and Sanya Bay.

✨ Why choose a cruise from Sanya
Sanya — a rare example of a resort where tropical relaxation and cruise logistics come together remarkably well.
First, there's convenient access: Sanya Phoenix Airport, just minutes from the cruise terminal, receives flights from dozens of cities across Asia. ✈️
Second, it's a strategic point on the map of the new Maritime Silk Road: liners depart Sanya for Hong Kong, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, while the «dual home port» model with Hong Kong opens up even more itinerary options. 🌊
Third, Hainan Island itself is an adventure in its own right: even if your liner calls for only a few hours, it's worth finding time to see the Guanyin statue, stroll along Yalong Bay and try fresh seafood on the waterfront. 🍤

The cruise specialists at Four Gates Group will help you choose the ideal liner, itinerary and cabin, take care of flight details to China and the necessary entry documentation under the new Hainan Free Trade Port rules, and point you to the best offers from the leading cruise brands operating in the waters of Southern China. 🤝

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for reference and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant venues.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises from the professionals

How to Get to the Cruise Terminal in Sanya

Sanya — China's youngest resort city, reachable in practice only by plane or train, since Hainan Island lies apart from the mainland's transport network. Yet the cruise terminal itself — Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Port — is very conveniently located: it stands on the artificial Phoenix Island in Sanya Bay, just a few kilometres from the airport, the railway station and the city's main resort areas. Unlike Barcelona with its seven terminals, Sanya has a single main pier serving international liners, which makes orientation easier, though the island still has its own quirks — a bridge crossing, no metro, and a limited English-speaking environment. Below is a verified, step-by-step guide with every transfer option, current prices and tips from the cruise specialists at Four Gates Group. 🎯

📍 Where exactly is Sanya's cruise port located
Sanya's cruise infrastructure consists of three facilities, but international liners dock at practically only one of them:

⚓ Phoenix Island (Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Port) — the main, and effectively the only, terminal for international cruise ships. It sits on an artificial island covering roughly 40 hectares, connected to mainland Sanya by a bridge nearly 400 metres long (about a 10-minute walk).
📌 GPS address: Phoenix Road, Tianya District, Sanya, Hainan, China (Chinese: 海南省三亚市天涯区凤凰岛)
🚶 Distance to the city centre: about 3–4 km to the Sanya Bay waterfront, 2 km to the nearest hotels on Phoenix Island itself

⚓ Haitang Bay Port (Sanya International Cruise Home Port) — a smaller terminal geared mainly toward domestic Chinese sailings and regional operators.
⚓ Wuzhizhou Island Terminal — used for short sightseeing cruises with a capacity of up to 1,000 passengers.

❗ Important: the exact terminal and berth for your ship are always stated in your cruise voucher. Check this 48–72 hours before boarding, as the berth is sometimes changed depending on the port's arrival schedule.

🛂 Visa conditions for going ashore in Sanya
Hainan is the only province in China with its own simplified visa regime, so it's worth finding out in advance which scenario applies to your particular disembarkation.
🔹 Hainan's 30-day visa-free policy applies to citizens of 59 countries, including Ukraine, provided the trip is arranged through a licensed Hainan-based travel agency, with return tickets and a confirmed hotel booking. Travel is permitted only within Hainan Island.
🔹 The 15-day visa-free policy for cruise groups applies at all 13 sea cruise ports in China, including Sanya, for organised groups of two or more travelling through a registered Chinese travel agency, entering and leaving the country together. This exemption allows visits not only to Hainan but also to other coastal provinces of China.
🔹 Going ashore independently, without an organised group and without arranging a Hainan visa-free trip, requires a standard Chinese visa obtained in advance.
💡 Tip: check with your Four Gates Group cruise manager which scenario applies to your disembarkation in Sanya — this determines whether a visa is required and which documents to bring ashore.

✈️ From Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) to the cruise terminal
Sanya Phoenix International Airport is located 8–10 km from Phoenix Island and handles most of the international and domestic Chinese flights into Sanya. There are no direct flights from Ukraine, so travellers connect via hubs such as Istanbul, Dubai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, or mainland China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou).

🚕 Taxi — the most convenient option
Official taxis queue outside the terminal exit.
• Travel time: 15–20 minutes (depending on traffic)
• Approximate cost (as of 2026): around 35–50 CNY at the official rate (flag-down fare — 10–11 CNY for the first 2.5 km, then 2.2–2.4 CNY per additional km)
• Payment: cash (yuan) or WeChat Pay/Alipay; drivers almost never accept foreign bank cards
• Apps: DiDi (滴滴出行, China's answer to Uber) and Amap (高德地图) let you book a taxi with an English-language interface
💡 Tip from Four Gates: show the driver the pier's name in Chinese — «凤凰岛国际邮轮港» — or simply «凤凰岛» (Phoenix Island) — this speeds up communication considerably.

🚐 Private transfer — the most comfortable option
A driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, helps with luggage, and takes you straight to the pier.
• Travel time: 15–20 minutes
• Advantages: fixed price, English- or Russian-speaking driver, flight monitoring, no taxi queue
🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private transfers for its clients — simply provide your flight number when booking your cruise.

🚌 Public transport — only for very budget-conscious travellers
There is no direct bus service from the airport to the cruise terminal. The airport's official buses run only to resort areas — Yalong Bay (Route ①, around 25 CNY) and the Haitang Bay duty-free complex (Route ②, around 25 CNY) — from where you would still need to switch to a taxi to reach the port. Given the language barrier and the lack of direct routes, a taxi, the DiDi app, or an organised transfer is recommended for the airport leg.

🚆 From Sanya Railway Station to the cruise terminal
If you arrive in Sanya by high-speed train — from Haikou or other cities on Hainan Island via the island's ring high-speed railway — you'll arrive at Sanya Railway Station (Chinese: 三亚站) in Jiyang District, roughly 15–18 km from the cruise terminal.

🚕 Taxi: 35–45 minutes, approximately 45–60 CNY depending on traffic
🚐 Transfer: Four Gates Group can also arrange a meet-and-greet at the railway station upon advance request
🚄 Connection to Haikou: the high-speed train covers the distance between Haikou and Sanya in about 1.5–2 hours
💡 Tip: if you're travelling with a lot of luggage, the simplest option is to book a taxi through the DiDi app right on the station platform — the driver will immediately see the exact destination address in Chinese.

🏙️ From Sanya's resort areas to the cruise terminal
If you're staying at a hotel before or after your cruise, the route to the pier depends on which part of the city you're in:

🏖️ Sanya Bay — the resort area closest to the port: 3–5 km, taxi 10–15 minutes, approximately 15–20 CNY.
🏖️ Dadonghai — a popular beach district in the centre of the city: about 10 km, taxi 20–25 minutes, approximately 30–35 CNY.
🏖️ Yalong Bay — the most prestigious hotel zone, and also the furthest from the port: about 25–28 km, taxi 40–50 minutes, approximately 70–90 CNY.

🚕 Taxi from your hotel — the simplest option from any district; ask the hotel staff to write down the pier's name in Chinese, or book a car through the DiDi app.

🚶 On foot — realistic only from hotels right on the Sanya Bay waterfront, closest to the Phoenix Island bridge; walking from other districts is not recommended due to the distance and heat.

🛴 Rental bikes and scooters — Hellobike and Meituan apps operate in Sanya, but crossing the bridge to Phoenix Island on rented transport is inconvenient and not recommended with luggage.

🚗 By car — parking near the port
Self-drive car rental in China is practically not an option for foreign tourists — driving requires a Chinese driving licence or its temporary equivalent, which most Ukrainian travellers do not have. This option is therefore relevant mainly for a car booked together with a driver.

🅿️ Parking near the Phoenix Island terminal — a paid parking area is located directly in front of the terminal building; exact rates are not officially published, so it's best to check the cost on site or through your cruise manager.
🛣️ GPS route: from any direction, the most convenient approach is via the coastal Sanya Bay Road (三亚湾路), which leads directly to the bridge onto Phoenix Island.

♿ Accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility
The Phoenix Island terminal is a modern facility, built and expanded in the 21st century, and is therefore reasonably well adapted for passengers with reduced mobility:
✅ The terminal is equipped with lifts and ramps for the route from the parking area and bridge to the departure hall
✅ The DiDi and Amap apps let you book a larger vehicle for a passenger using a wheelchair
✅ Cruise line staff at the terminal assist with boarding — let your cruise line know about any special needs in advance
⚠️ Dedicated taxis for passengers with reduced mobility (comparable to Eurotaxi) are not officially developed in Sanya — if needed, it's best to arrange a transfer through Four Gates Group in advance

⏰ When to arrive at the cruise terminal
Your arrival routine in Sanya depends on whether your ship is simply calling at the port during a cruise, or whether your cruise actually begins or ends here:

🔵 Scenario 1. Port of call (stop during the cruise)
If Sanya is one of the ports of call on your itinerary, no separate check-in ashore is required — simply present your ship pass at the gangway. Return on board approximately 60–90 minutes before the announced departure time («all aboard time») — this deadline is always stated on your ship pass and in the daily cruise programme, allowing time to cross the bridge and clear passport control on the way out of the terminal.

🟢 Scenario 2. Embarkation or disembarkation (Sanya as the port of departure/end of cruise)
If your cruise begins or ends in Sanya:
• Check-in desks usually open 3–4 hours before the ship's departure — the exact time is always stated in your cruise voucher
• For international sailings, allow an extra 30–60 minutes for passport and customs control, which in Sanya is carried out directly at the terminal
• The boarding deadline is usually 60–90 minutes before departure; being late means you'll only see the ship from the shore
All Four Gates Group vouchers include the exact boarding time for your specific cruise.

💡 Tips from the Four Gates Group experts
Over years of working with Asian itineraries, our cruise specialists have gathered advice that's especially useful in Sanya:

📱 Download DiDi and Amap in advance. These are the main apps for hailing taxis and navigating in China; both offer an English-language interface, though linking a foreign bank card doesn't always work — so it's often easier to hail a taxi on the spot or use an organised transfer.

💴 Carry cash in yuan. WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate in China, but linking them to a foreign card doesn't always succeed; cash is a reliable backup, especially for taxis and small purchases.

🈶 Save the pier's name in Chinese. Keep the text «凤凰岛国际邮轮港» (Phoenix Island International Cruise Port) on your phone — showing it to a driver or hotel staff is far quicker than explaining in English.

🛂 Check your visa conditions in advance. Ask your cruise manager whether your disembarkation in Sanya falls under Hainan's visa-free policy or the group cruise visa-free policy, and bring along any documents you might need ashore (a copy of your passport, your cruise card).

🌐 Internet access in China is restricted. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and most familiar Western services are blocked in mainland China without a VPN — if you plan to stay connected, arrange a VPN app in advance, before you land in China.

🕐 The time difference with Kyiv is 5–6 hours. Keep this in mind when planning your boarding time and staying in touch with family.

👟 Comfortable shoes and sun protection. The bridge to Phoenix Island and the terminal grounds are open-air, and Sanya's tropical sun is strong year-round — a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are worthwhile even for a short transfer.

📞 Contacts for cruise travellers in Sanya
Sanya Phoenix International Airport (24-hour helpline): +86 898 9612 333
China police: 110
Ambulance: 120
Fire service: 119
China national tourist hotline: 12301
Four Gates Group cruise specialists (24/7 for clients): +38 097 653 05 53

Sanya's logistics differ from the routes travellers are used to in Europe — there's no metro, the language barrier is real, and some familiar services such as Google Maps or Uber simply don't work. Yet the transfer to the pier itself is straightforward: the airport and the most popular beach districts are all just a few kilometres from Phoenix Island. The cruise experts at Four Gates Group help our clients with every stage — from choosing the best flight to Sanya to arranging a private transfer with a name sign in the arrivals hall and explaining the visa details. Contact our manager — and your cruise from Sanya will start without any stress. 🛳️✨

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for general guidance and is accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant facilities.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises from the Professionals

Sanya Landmarks and Places: A Complete Guide for Cruise Travelers

Sanya — a city where tropical nature matters more than historic architecture: there are no Gothic alleys or medieval squares here, but there is a 108-metre statue of the goddess of mercy visible straight from the sea long before the ship approaches the pier, the snow-white beaches of Yalong Bay and Dadonghai, and genuine primary tropical rainforest just an hour's drive from the port. Unlike compact Barcelona, Sanya's main sights are scattered across the entire southern coast of Hainan Island — some lie 30–45 kilometres from the pier, so it's worth planning your route carefully in advance. A cruise ship's call in Sanya usually lasts 8 to 12 hours, and without a metro and with limited English spoken locally, getting around independently takes a bit more preparation than in Europe. Below is a tried-and-tested guide to the key landmarks, with up-to-date 2026 prices, opening hours, and exact directions on how to get from the Phoenix Island cruise port (Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Port) to each site. 🎯

🙏 1. Nanshan Temple & the Guanyin Statue (Nanshan Temple & Guanyin of the South Sea)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Sanya's main landmark is visible long before the ship reaches the port — the 108-metre statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, stands right in the sea a few kilometres from shore and is connected to land by a 280-metre causeway bridge. It is one of the tallest Guanyin statues in the world — 15 metres taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York. 🗽
🔹 The statue is cast from titanium alloy, and the goddess has three faces looking in different directions: one toward Hainan Island, another out over the open South China Sea, and the third inland toward mainland China. In her hands she holds a lotus, prayer beads, and a sutra scroll.
🔹 The statue's base is a lotus throne with 108 petals across four tiers, about 10 metres tall; the number 108 symbolises overcoming earthly worries and desires in Buddhism.
🔹 The complex is also home to the world's largest gold-and-jade statue of Buddha, valued at around 192 million yuan (CNY) and listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
🔹 The temple complex was built in Tang-dynasty architectural style and covers extensive grounds at the foot of Nanshan Mountain — one of the largest Buddhist religious-tourism sites in mainland China.
🔹 The grounds also include an avenue of 33 manifestations of Guanyin and a monastery dining hall famous for its vegetarian cuisine.

📜 History:
The idea of building a major Buddhist complex on the southern tip of Hainan emerged in the late 1980s — fittingly, since it was through this island that Buddhism first reached China by sea more than two thousand years ago. Construction of the main temple complex took more than a decade and was completed in 1998, exactly marking the 2,000th anniversary of Buddhism's arrival in China. Building the Guanyin statue itself took several more years: work began in the mid-1990s, and the 108-metre monument was officially consecrated on 24 April 2005, attended by Buddhist leaders from across Asia. Today Nanshan is one of the largest centres of Buddhist pilgrimage in China and an essential stop for almost every cruise visitor to Sanya.

🚢 How to get there from the Phoenix Island port:
• Taxi: 50–60 minutes, approximately 100–130 CNY one way (about 42–45 km). Address: Nanshan Village, Yazhou District, Sanya
• Organised transfer or excursion: the best option given the distance and language barrier — a driver will take you right to the entrance and pick you up at an agreed time
• There is no direct public transport from the port

💴 Prices and opening hours:
• Single admission ticket: 108 CNY (May–September), 129 CNY (October–April)
• Viewing platform by the Guanyin statue: additional 25 CNY
• Gold-and-jade Buddha hall: additional 20 CNY
• Opening hours: daily 08:00–17:30
👕 Dress code: this is an active temple, so avoid revealing or beach clothing; covering your shoulders is recommended.
⚠️ Important: the complex is very large, with internal electric carts running between sites — allow at least 2–2.5 hours for your visit.

🌅 2. Tianya Haijiao — the «Edge of Heaven and Sea» (Tianya Haijiao)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Tianya Haijiao is an iconic coastal stretch of boulders whose name translates literally as «the edge of heaven and the edge of the sea». This is the very spot ancient China regarded as the end of the civilised world. 🌊
🔹 The two main boulders, carved with the characters «Tianya» («edge of heaven») and «Haijiao» («edge of sea»), are the most photographed rocks on the coast.
🔹 The «Nantian Yizhu» rock («the Sole Pillar of the Southern Sky») is an elegant, stalagmite-like stone shaped by the waves; for decades its image appeared on the 2-yuan banknote.
🔹 The Sun and Moon Stones — according to legend, these are a pair of lovers who turned to stone and remained together forever, come wind or storm.
🔹 Thanks to this romantic legend, Tianya Haijiao is one of China's most popular spots for wedding photo shoots and marriage proposals.
🔹 The inscription «Haidong Nantian» on one of the rocks was left by Qing-dynasty cartographers — it marked the empire's southern boundary during a maritime mapping expedition.

📜 History:
In ancient times, this remote southern tip of Hainan — where emperors exiled disgraced officials — was genuinely regarded by mainland Chinese as «the end of the world». Banished officials who ended up here left poems of loneliness and longing for home carved into the coastal boulders, which is how the site's poetic name came about. During the Qing dynasty, an official cartographic expedition marked these rocks as the empire's southern reference point. In the 20th century the name «Tianya Haijiao» became synonymous with romance and eternal love, and the site turned into one of Sanya's symbols.

🚢 How to get there from the Phoenix Island port:
• Taxi: 30–35 minutes, approximately 70–90 CNY one way (about 26–28 km). Address: Tianya Haijiao Tourist Area, Tianya District, Sanya
• Combine with Nanshan: both sites lie in the same direction from the port, so they are easy to combine in a single transfer

💴 Prices and opening hours:
• Admission ticket: 68 CNY (March–August), 81 CNY (September–February)
• Opening hours: daily 07:30–18:00 (subject to change on public holidays)
⚠️ Tip: the best light for photos is early morning or just before sunset, once the heat has eased.

🦌 3. Luhuitou Park (Luhuitou Park)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Luhuitou literally translates as «the deer looked back» — the name comes from a romantic legend of the Li people. It is the hilltop viewpoint closest to central Sanya, offering a panorama over the entire bay and city. 🏙️
🔹 The summit features a 15-metre bronze sculpture of a deer and a hunter — the park's main symbol and one of Sanya's most recognisable monuments.
🔹 The Skywalk viewing platform juts out over the slope at about 200 metres above sea level, offering views of both Sanya Bay and Dadonghai at once.
🔹 The grounds include a botanical garden with more than 200 species of tropical plants.
🔹 The park opened to visitors in 1989 and has held AAAA-level scenic area status — one of the highest ratings in China — since 2012.

📜 History:
Legend tells of a young Li hunter who chased a white deer through the mountains until it led him to the top of this hill and transformed into a beautiful maiden — they married and, according to the tale, became the ancestors of the local clan. To this day the story is seen as a symbol of eternal love and the bond between people and nature. The modern park on the site of the legendary hill opened to visitors in 1989, and over the following decades the grounds were developed with a botanical garden and viewing platforms, turning a former hunting ground into one of the city's major landmarks.

🚢 How to get there from the Phoenix Island port:
• Taxi: 20–25 minutes, approximately 35–45 CNY one way (about 10–13 km)
• This is one of the closest viewpoints to the port, making it a great choice even for a short call

💴 Prices and opening hours:
• Adults: 45 CNY (peak season), 35 CNY (low season)
• Students and seniors 65+ (with ID): 25 CNY
• Skywalk viewing platform: additional 20 CNY
• Children under 1.2 m: free
• Opening hours: daily, approximately 07:30–22:00

🏝️ 4. Wuzhizhou Island (Wuzhizhou Island)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Wuzhizhou is a small heart-shaped island covering just 1.48 km² in Haitang Bay, nicknamed «Lovers' Island» by visitors. Over 90% of its area is covered in tropical vegetation. 💚
🔹 Water visibility around the island reaches 27 metres, making it mainland China's recognised top diving spot, with coral, butterflyfish, and sea turtles.
🔹 Coral reef coverage in the surrounding waters reaches about 37%, the result of a years-long programme to restore the marine «ranch» and artificial reefs.
🔹 The island features glass viewing walkways over the cliffs and an underwater mailbox zone, where visitors can send a postcard literally from the seabed.
🔹 The island has served as a filming location for several popular Chinese productions shot along Hainan's coast.

📜 History:
Just a few decades ago, Wuzhizhou was an almost uninhabited fishing islet. Active tourism development began in the 2010s, when the island was transformed into mainland China's largest diving and water sports hub. Alongside this, a large-scale programme to restore coral reefs and a marine «ranch» — artificial breeding of fish and coral in coastal waters — was launched, now showcased as a model of ecological tourism in Hainan.

🚢 How to get there from the Phoenix Island port:
• Taxi to Houhai Pier (Wuzhizhou Wharf): 40–45 minutes, approximately 80–100 CNY one way (about 30–33 km)
• Ferry from the pier to the island: about 20–25 minutes
• Total one-way travel time: about 1–1.5 hours
⚠️ Important: given the considerable distance and ferry time, this island is realistically only feasible for calls of 10 hours or longer

💴 Prices and opening hours:
• Admission with round-trip ferry: approximately 144 CNY
• Island shuttle bus: 138 CNY (round trip) or 200 CNY (full day)
• Diving and water activities: charged separately, approximately from 300–400 CNY depending on the programme
• Opening hours: the island welcomes visitors all day, with the first ferries departing in the morning

🌳 5. Yanoda Rainforest (Yanoda Rainforest)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Yanoda is one of Hainan's largest tropical forest parks, preserving genuine primary and secondary rainforest across roughly 2,100 hectares. The park's name is made up of three characters symbolising the sun, the moon, and the earth. 🌴
🔹 The park features canopy walkways and bridges running right through the treetops, offering bird's-eye views of the rainforest.
🔹 There are several natural waterfalls and mountain streams, and the walking trails are designed for outings lasting 3 to 5 hours.
🔹 A dedicated area is devoted to the culture of the indigenous Li people, showcasing traditional weaving, stilt houses, and local cuisine to sample.
🔹 The park sits within a mountain range, so it is noticeably cooler and more humid than the coast — a defining trait of genuine rainforest.

📜 History:
The mountain range where the park is located has long been considered sacred by the Li people, seen as the home of nature spirits. As Hainan's tourism infrastructure developed, provincial authorities decided to preserve a stretch of primary forest as a protected zone with controlled visitor access rather than build hotels on it. This gave rise to a cultural-tourism complex that combines preserving the rainforest ecosystem with promoting the island's indigenous culture.

🚢 How to get there from the Phoenix Island port:
• Taxi: 55–65 minutes, approximately 110–140 CNY one way (about 45–48 km)
• Organised transfer: recommended given the mountain road and distance
⚠️ Important: given the distance and the length of the walk through the park (3–5 hours), this site is best planned for calls of 10 hours or more

💴 Prices and opening hours:
• October–April: 168 CNY (108 CNY admission + 60 CNY shuttle bus)
• May–September: 150 CNY (90 CNY admission + 60 CNY shuttle bus)
• Children under 1.2 m: free
• Opening hours: daily 07:30–18:00

🏖️ 6. Yalong Bay (Yalong Bay)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Yalong Bay is Sanya's most prestigious resort area, described by guidebooks as «the Hawaii of the East» or «the finest bay under heaven». The shoreline curves for 7.5 kilometres of fine white sand, and the clear water stays no cooler than +22 °C year-round. 🌊
🔹 The coastline hosts the highest concentration of five-star hotels in Hainan — the Ritz-Carlton, Hilton, Marriott, and dozens of other international chains.
🔹 Patches of coral reef survive in the coastal waters, making the bay popular for snorkelling and easy diving right off the beach.
🔹 The Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park on the hillside offers a rope suspension bridge and a glass viewing platform overlooking the whole bay.
🔹 Yalong Bay's beach is officially recognised as one of the cleanest in mainland China.

📜 History:
Until the early 1990s, Yalong Bay was an almost uninhabited stretch of coast 25 kilometres from central Sanya. In 1992 the area was officially designated a national resort zone — one of the first such projects in China — and the state began large-scale hotel construction. Over the following three decades, the bay grew into Hainan Island's most expensive and prestigious beach district, drawing both domestic and international visitors.

🚢 How to get there from the Phoenix Island port:
• Taxi to the public beach: 35–40 minutes, approximately 55–70 CNY one way (about 20–22 km)
• To Tropical Paradise Forest Park: a further 10–15 minutes further into the bay

💴 Prices and opening hours:
• Yalong Bay public beach: free, open 24 hours
• Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park (admission): 175 CNY
• Rope suspension bridge: additional 20 CNY (08:30–17:30)
• Glass viewing platform: additional 98 CNY (09:00–18:00)

🛍️ 7. CDF Duty Free Complex, Haitang Bay (Haitang Bay Duty Free Complex)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
This is mainland China's largest duty-free shopping complex and the flagship site of Hainan's new free-trade port policy. It stocks hundreds of global luxury brands, from perfume and cosmetics to watches and jewellery. 💎
🔹 Since 18 December 2025, when the whole of Hainan moved to an «independent customs operations» regime, the duty-free shopping allowance for tourists leaving the island was raised to 100,000 yuan per person per year.
🔹 In 2025 the complex was granted national-level tourist attraction status — it is now not just a shopping venue but a full cultural-tourism destination with installations and leisure zones.
🔹 To claim the tax-free discount, you need to present your passport and boarding pass or cruise card — purchases can be collected right before departure by air or by sea.

📜 History:
The Haitang Bay complex opened as part of the strategy to turn Hainan into Asia's largest offshore duty-free trading zone. As the island's visa-free and duty-free policies gradually expanded through the 2010s and 2020s, the shopping complex kept growing, and by the end of 2025, with all of Hainan moving to free-port status, it became the island's main shopping hub.

🚢 How to get there from the Phoenix Island port:
• Taxi: 35–40 minutes, approximately 75–95 CNY one way (about 28–30 km). Address: No. 118, Haitang North Road, Haitang District, Sanya

💴 Prices and opening hours:
• Entry to the shopping complex: free
• Opening hours: daily 10:00–22:00
⚠️ Tip: it's worth signing up for a free CDF membership card (with your passport) before visiting — it unlocks extra discounts and perks.

🎨 8. Other Sights Worth Knowing About
• 🏖️ Dadonghai — the beach closest to central Sanya, 2.9 km of white sand surrounded by five-star hotels (JW Marriott, InterContinental). Free entry.
• 🌅 Sanya Bay promenade — a waterfront walking area right by the bridge to Phoenix Island, perfect for an evening stroll and sunset photos.
• 🍤 First Market Night Market — Sanya's historic market, with fresh seafood cooked to order at nearby cafes and hundreds of souvenir stalls. Open around the clock.
• 🐒 Nanwan Monkey Island — a peninsula nature reserve home to thousands of macaques, reached by cable car across the strait. Only realistic for calls of 10–12 hours or more, given the distance (about 60 km from the port).
• ⛰️ Diaoluo Mountain — a national reserve with a cable car and primary rainforest, popular with hikers. Located beyond a comfortable day trip for a short call (about 90 km from the port).
• 🛥️ Phoenix Island Marina — a yacht harbour right by the cruise terminal, a convenient spot for a short stroll for those who don't want to venture far from the ship.

---

🗺️ Three Self-Guided Sanya Itineraries for an 8-Hour Call
A cruise call in Sanya usually lasts 8–12 hours, and the sights are scattered 10–45 kilometres from the port, so it's realistic to see 2–4 top locations if you plan your route well and allow time for travel. Below are three options depending on budget and preferences.

🥉 Route #1. Budget — approximately 230–285 CNY per person
⏱️ Total time: 8 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 200–250 CNY + food

🕘 09:00 — Leaving the Phoenix Island cruise terminal
Walk across the bridge to the mainland (about 10 minutes) to the Sanya Bay promenade.

🕘 09:15–10:00 — Sanya Bay promenade
A free stroll along the seafront, photos with Phoenix Island in the background, coffee at one of the promenade cafes.

🕙 10:00–11:00 — Transfer to and visit Luhuitou Park
Taxi (approximately 35 CNY, 20 min). Admission 45 CNY, view the bronze deer and the panorama over the bay.

🕚 11:00–12:00 — Skywalk viewing platform
Optional additional entry to the viewing platform (20 CNY).

🕛 12:00–12:20 — Transfer to Dadonghai
Taxi, approximately 20 CNY, 10 minutes.

🕐 12:20–14:00 — Lunch and relaxation at Dadonghai Beach
Seafood at one of the beachfront cafes — approximately 60–100 CNY. Swimming, a walk along the shore.

🕝 14:00–15:00 — First Market Night Market
Souvenirs, fresh fruit, tasting local snacks (the market also operates during the day).

🕞 15:00–15:40 — Return to the port
Taxi, approximately 30–35 CNY, 15–20 minutes.

🕟 15:40–16:30 — Arrival back on board, check-in

💰 Cost breakdown:
• Taxis (total for the day): approximately 85–90 CNY
• Luhuitou Park + Skywalk admission: 65 CNY
• Lunch and snacks: 60–100 CNY
• Buffer: 20–30 CNY
💸 TOTAL: approximately 230–285 CNY per person

🥈 Route #2. Optimal — approximately 550–615 CNY per person
⏱️ Total time: 8 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 600 CNY + food

🕘 08:30 — Leave the port, taxi to Tianya Haijiao
Approximately 80 CNY, 30–35 minutes.

🕘 09:00–10:00 — Tianya Haijiao
Admission 68–81 CNY depending on the season. Photos by the iconic boulders, the legend of the lovers.

🕙 10:00–10:30 — Transfer to Nanshan Temple
Taxi, approximately 45 CNY, 20–25 minutes.

🕥 10:30–13:00 — Nanshan Temple and the Guanyin statue
Single admission 108–129 CNY + statue viewing 25 CNY. Full tour of the complex, vegetarian lunch at the monastery dining hall (approximately 60–80 CNY).

🕐 13:00–14:00 — Transfer to Dadonghai
Taxi, approximately 110 CNY, 55–60 minutes.

🕝 14:00–15:30 — Dadonghai beach and promenade
Relax on the beach, coffee with a sea view.

🕒 15:30–16:00 — Return to the port
Taxi, approximately 25 CNY, 10–15 minutes.

🕓 16:00–16:30 — Arrival back on board

💰 Cost breakdown:
• Taxis (total): approximately 260 CNY
• Tianya Haijiao: 68–81 CNY
• Nanshan + statue viewing: 133–154 CNY
• Lunch: 60–80 CNY
• Coffee and incidentals: 30–40 CNY
💸 TOTAL: approximately 550–615 CNY per person
💡 Adding a visit to the gold-and-jade Buddha hall (+20 CNY) increases the total only slightly.

🥇 Route #3. Premium — private tour from 1,800 CNY per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 1,800–2,500 CNY + tickets

🏆 What's included:
• ✅ Meet-and-greet with a private driver holding a name sign right at the gangway
• ✅ Comfortable car or minivan for the whole day
• ✅ A professional Ukrainian- or English-speaking licensed guide
• ✅ Priority entry at Nanshan without waiting for tickets
• ✅ Table reservation at a seafood restaurant
• ✅ Flexible route — adjusted on the fly

You can book through your cruise manager, or contact us directly by any convenient means:

Phone numbers:
• Office: +38 (044) 337 82 01
• Mobile (LifeCell):    +380 93 653 05 53
• Mobile (Vodafone): +380 66 653 05 53
• Mobile (Kyivstar):   +380 97 653 05 53

Email us

Email us

🕘 08:30 — Meet your driver and guide at the terminal

🕘 09:00–11:00 — Nanshan Temple and the Guanyin statue with your guide
A private, queue-free tour explaining the statue's symbolism, plus a visit to the gold-and-jade Buddha hall.

🕚 11:15–12:00 — Tianya Haijiao (fast-track)
Drive there (20 min). An unhurried photo session by the iconic rocks.

🕧 12:15–13:45 — Lunch at a seafood restaurant
Fresh seafood on the Dadonghai waterfront or in central Sanya — approximately from 150–200 CNY per person. Reservations handled by your guide.

🕝 14:00–16:00 — Yalong Bay
Relax on a premium beach and/or visit the Tropical Paradise Forest Park (admission 175 CNY, glass platform +98 CNY).

🕞 16:15–17:15 — Shopping at the CDF duty-free complex in Haitang Bay
Your driver waits while your guide helps with the tax-free paperwork.

🕟 17:30 — Return to the port in comfort

💰 Cost breakdown:
• Private guide (9 h): from 700 CNY
• Driver with car (9 h): from 600 CNY
• Tickets (Nanshan + Tianya Haijiao + Yalong Bay): approximately 370–450 CNY
• Lunch at a seafood restaurant: approximately from 150–200 CNY
💸 TOTAL: from 1,800–2,000 CNY per person (for a group of 2+, the price is calculated per group, not per person)

🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private tours of Sanya with licensed guides, gangway pickup, and guaranteed return on board. Contact your cruise specialist — and your day in Sanya will be perfectly tailored to your taste. 🛳️✨

⚠️ Good to Know Before You Go Ashore
🕐 The «all aboard» rule: you must be back on board 60–90 minutes before departure — the exact time is always shown on your ship pass and in the daily cruise programme.
🪪 Documents: bring a photocopy of your passport, your Ship Card, and, if applicable, documentation for Hainan's visa-free entry scheme (details in the «Getting There» section).
💴 Cash: carry 300–500 CNY in cash for taxis, admission tickets, and small purchases — foreign bank cards are far from universally accepted in China.
👟 Clothing: comfortable shoes for long walks and lightweight, natural-fibre clothing; cover your shoulders for Nanshan Temple.
☀️ Sun protection: Sanya's tropical sun is intense year-round, with summer temperatures reaching +33 °C — a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are essential.
🌐 Internet: Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most familiar services are blocked in China without a VPN — for local navigation, use the Amap app (高德地图) or offline maps downloaded in advance.
🈶 Language barrier: English is spoken far less than in Europe — keep the Chinese names and addresses of the sights (as listed above) handy to show your taxi driver or staff.

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for general reference and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes, and visiting conditions may change without notice. For up-to-date information, please check with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or the official websites of the respective venues.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals

Add a review