Travel guide to Sanya Hainan Island by Mr. Kurt Byer from Tui Reisen

 Mr. Kurt Byer visited Sanya Hainan Island in May. 2005. Following is his travel guide to Sanya Hainan Island

Hainan Island

Hainan is the tropical island in the Chinese sea south of mainland China. Hainan has nearly the size of Austria with 7 millions inhabitants. From the east to the west it stretches 400 km and 300 km from the north to the south. Mountain ranges with heights of 1200 to 1400 meters divided the sub tropical north and the tropical south of the island. The economical and administration centre of the island is Haikou in the north, the tourist centre is Sanya in the very south (400.000 inhabitants).

Due to the mild climate of the south you can swim in the sea all year. The water temperature varies from 23 – 28 degrees. The temperature drops to 15 degrees on the coldest days in January and raises to 36 – 38 degrees on the hottest days in summer.  Peak season is from beginning  of October till end of march, august und September are likely to see some Typhoon.

Hainan is the very logical – and recommendable – extension to an cultural trip of China. Besides fantastic beaches around Sanya there are also some places worth seen on the island. Landscape, culture and even ethnology as the island is also home to some minorities.

Sanya

The beaches are spacious with fine light sand, extremely flat – and wast! The Chinese shy sun like devil the holy water – and leave the beaches to the long noses. In general sun beds and sunshades on the hotel beaches are free of charge – no need for the German morning run down to the beach to cover the best sun beds with the towels. Be aware of the ropes out in the sea which protect the swimming areas from motor boats: some of them are entirely covered by tiny shells with knifelike edges!

Sanya Bay is the beach south of the airport. Short transfers and only minor noise from the airport. Quiet beach hotels, no further infrastructure. 

Dadong Hai Bay is the beach next to the city. Ideal for guests focussing on shopping, nightlife and dining out in various restaurants.

Yalong Bay east of Sanya is the sportive beach with the island’s best hotels. 

Sport in Sanya

For sport fans Yalong is the best place to stay. The hotels offer bicycles and mountain bikes in good technical condition, the area is ideal for scuba diving and the Yalong Golf Club is among the very best in China. 

Also the Red Valley Golf Club is highly recommended, Green fees on these Golf courses are about EURO 65.

Sightseeing on Hainan

I had the chance to see the Nanshan Temple . According to the location of your hotel, it takes 25 – 60 minutes to the west. A truly beautiful Buddhist temple and park area. The first impression is shocking as there is so much commerce in the entrance area, the entrance fee for the park (150 yuan + 20 yuan for the train through the park) is pretty high, but it pays! 

Hotel Standard in Sanya

Nowadays there exists a range of very agreeable hotels in Sanya – but of course many more hotels you better stay away! In general the good hotels are right on the beach (exception: there is a road between the Holiday Inn Sanya Bay and its beach).

The beach tourism in Sanya started 15 years ago when they opened the Gloria Resort. Meanwhile countless hotels have been build and some 5 years ago the international hotel chains discovered Sanya: Holiday Inn opened the H.I. Yalong Bay. Recently Sheraton and Marriott followed and Holiday Inn opened their second hotel. Crowne Plaza and Hilton plan their opening for October 2005, 2006 Kempinski will join in and probably also Shangri La. 

The hotels have a choice of at least two different restaurants, the guest rooms are of very good standard, individual air condition, bath room, toilet, balcony. Language problems might occur in all hotels up to five star category. 

The Entertainment is nearly identic in all hotels. A pair of musicians from the Philippines, singing American hits from the seventies. Very good, very professional, guest’s wishes are fulfilled with pleasure. Might get boring during a longer stay. 

Landscape Beach Resort***

Dadong Hai Bay

Superior tourist class (national category: 4 stars) 5 years old, partially worn down.  200 Zimmer, Chinese and Western Restaurant. The hotel is not really exciting but certainly a good place for unspoilt holidays

Holiday Inn Yalong Bay ***+

360 Zimmer, opened in 2000. The rooms are rather small, typical American in style. Main restaurant (buffets), Chinesische à la carte restaurant, noodle restaurant, barbeque every night. Small spa. lively atmosphere. For the cost-conscious, sporty guest. 

Intime Resort ****+

Dadong Hai Bay

Wonderful garden. 415 guest rooms in 3 buildings  with 10 floors each. Standard rooms have balcony and partial sea view and balcony. Main restaurant with buffets, steak restaurant & chinese à la carte restaurant.

Holiday Inn Sanya Bay *****

wonderful resort hotel, a road divides the hotel area and the beach area. Beautiful pools with swim-up bar und with thermal pool with massage fishes! 225 guest rooms, spacious, well designed, completely equipped. Service is very attending but language problems might occur.

Sheraton Resort & Spa*****

Yalong Bay, opposite the golf course. The largest hotel on the island with 510 rooms. Huge hall, extremely spacious guest rooms but some of them without balcony. Marvellous Spa.

Marriott Resort & Spa*****

Yalong Bay opposite the golf course. 450 guest rooms. A large, contemporary 5-star-resort in a well shaped garden. Spacious, very nice rooms like a designer hotel.

Full of ambiance, the floors are decorated with modern pottery ware. Buffet restaurant, Restaurant, Vietnamese Restaurant, Sea Breeze Grill. Nice Spa, 2 Tennis Courts.

The difference between Sheraton and Marriott? The Sheraton has probably been decorated by a man, the Marriott by a woman. 

How to book Sanya:

DER-Tour and Gebeco feature the Sheraton in their brochures, just as Tischler will do in the oncoming season.  There are even hotel managers with a rather poor English.

But there is on angel on the island: Caddie Lu. She used to work in hotel business, before she started her own incoming business from Jan, 2005. She has an excellent English, answers emails by return, understands our way of thinking. .... as I said: an angel: You find her in the internet at http://www.sunnysanya.com. She books hotels, transfers, golf tee times, scuba diving, organizes excursions. But please don’t misuse her for information purposes only!