Yalong Bay
Yalong Bay is the polished, upmarket end of Hainan — a long crescent of clear water and soft sand lined with luxury hotels and golf courses. It is the choice for a quiet, comfortable beach stay, with excellent seafood restaurants along the shore.
Dadonghai Bay
Dadonghai is livelier and more central to Sanya, and better for an active holiday: the water and wind suit surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, and there are plenty of schools for beginners. It is also the easiest base for nightlife and restaurants within walking distance of the sand.
Sanya, the Resort City
Sanya is the hub of Hainan tourism, mixing modern malls and duty-free shopping with cultural sights. The standout is Nanshan, where the vast Guanyin statue — one of the tallest statues in the world at 108 metres — rises on its own islet just off the coast. Sanya’s evenings, along the buzzing bar and restaurant strips, are half the appeal.
Which Base to Choose?
It comes down to what you want: Yalong Bay for quiet luxury, Dadonghai for watersports and a central, lively base, and Sanya itself for the fullest mix of shopping, culture and nightlife.
What Else to Do
- Get in the water — the diving and snorkelling here are among China’s best.
- Head inland — Hainan’s national parks and tropical rainforest are a world away from the beaches.
- Eat well — feast on tropical fruit, coconut and fresh seafood.
- Soak — the island is dotted with natural hot springs.
Getting There and Entry
Hainan’s main gateways are Haikou (HAK) in the north and Sanya (SYX) in the south, with rail and ferry links to the Chinese mainland as well. Crucially, Hainan runs a generous 30-day visa-free entry scheme: visitors from around sixty countries — including the UK, the EU and the US — can enter without a visa when arriving directly at a Hainan port, and China has been expanding visa-free access more broadly too. Rules do change, so confirm the current requirements before you book.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for Hainan?
Often not — Hainan offers 30-day visa-free entry to visitors from around sixty countries, including the UK, EU and US, when arriving directly on the island. Always check the current rules before travelling.
Where should I stay?
Yalong Bay for upmarket calm, Dadonghai for watersports and a central location, or central Sanya for shopping, culture and nightlife.
When is the best time to go?
The dry season from roughly November to April is warm, sunny and most comfortable; summer is hotter, more humid and prone to typhoons.
