Not many people talk about Hainan and as an island addict, I’m not sure I want them to. It’s Hawaii without the price tag, Dubai without the attitude and it’s a three-hour flight from Shanghai. I think that’s called a no brainer.
This guide covers; where to stay – from the bougie to the budget-smart, the best things to do including tropical tours, night markets, outlet shopping and the famous Hainan coconut chicken, plus the travel tips no one else tells you.
Skip to the bottom for the 3-day itinerary.
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Where to Stay
Halong Bay 海棠湾 — the classic choice
- Best for: Luxury seekers and beach lovers who want the postcard view.
- You’re sleeping on the best stretch of sand in China. The resorts are massive and cater to every type of traveller. My personal favourite – MGM Grand (美高梅度假酒店) huge pools, family-friendly, the full Vegas-in-China experience.
Sunny Bay 太阳湾 — the hidden gem
- Best for: Privacy seekers, honeymooners and people who want empty beaches.
- Park Hyatt Sanya (三亚太阳湾柏悦酒店) is the only thing here and that’s the point. Private bay, private beach, water so clear you can see your toes. It’s expensive, it’s isolated, and it’s perfect if you want to rest and rest. The road in is a scenic drive along the cliff overlooking the ocean and the whole thing feels like a dream.
Yalong Bay 亚龙湾 — the all rounder
- Best for: Shopping, laying by the pool and a family reunion.
- The Westin Sanya (三亚亚龙湾威斯汀度假酒店) is here — solid luxury, great beach, more walkable dining options than Halong Bay. Good middle ground if you want resort life but also want to leave the property occasionally.
Sanya Bay 三亚湾 — practical and underrated
- Best for: Budget travellers and city stays.
- Closer to the airport, closer to the city, closer to the night markets and local food. The beach isn’t as pristine but the sunset is the same and you’re paying half the price.
My Pick: First trip? Yalong Bay (亚龙湾) or Halong Bay (海棠湾). Honeymoon? Sunny Bay (太阳湾) all day. On a budget? Sanya Bay (三亚湾).
For the iconic hotels to budget hostels, you can find my Top 10 Hainan Stays here!
10 Best Things to Do in Hainan
- Beach Day in Sanya
Sanya is the city in Hainan with all the resorts and pretty beaches including: Halong Bay (海棠湾) for turquoise water and resort vibes; Yalong Bay (亚龙湾) for water sports and powder sand and Sanya Bay (三亚湾) for sunsets and local energy. - Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park 亚龙湾热带天堂森林公园
Rainforest canopy walk, rope bridges between trees and viewpoints that look straight down over Yalong Bay. The “Eagle’s Nest” viewpoint is the money shot — crescent beach, blue water and rolling green mountains. Go early for empty bridges and no queue for photos. - Nanshan Temple 南山寺
108-meter Guanyin statue standing on a man-made island in the sea. It’s touristy, but it’s genuinely impressive. The temple complex is massive — expect half a day. Go early to beat the heat and the tour buses. - Yanoda Rainforest 呀诺达雨林
Tropical rainforest, rope bridges, waterfalls and the kind of humidity that makes you sweat in places you didn’t know you could. It’s a full day, a workout and the canopy walk is worth the entrance fee alone. Wear proper shoes as those cute sandals won’t survive the mud. - Luhuitou Park 鹿回头公园
Hilltop park with a deer statue and panoramic views over Sanya Bay. The sunset here is the best in the city. It’s a 20-minute walk up or a quick shuttle. - First Market (第一市场) & Linchunling (林春岭)
Chinese night market galore. Pick your seafood live, have it cooked at a nearby restaurant and you’re eating good tonight. - Hainan Coconut Chicken 海南椰子鸡
Because who can say they’ve had Hainan chicken in Hainan? It’s got fresh coconut water as the broth, tender chicken dropped in at the table, dipping sauce with ginger and lime and it’s completely different from mainland hotpot. Runyuan (润园) or Mengxiangjia (萌哒哒) are solid spots. You can’t leave without trying it, I’m sorry I don’t make the rules. - Phoenix Island 凤凰岛
Artificial island with skyscraper hotels that look like sails. It’s giving, Dubai. It’s over-the-top, it’s slightly absurd and the night view from the mainland is iconic. Don’t bother staying there — just admire it from a beach bar with a coconut in hand. - Fresh Coconuts
Speaking of coconuts, you might aswell. Street vendors hack them open with machetes, stick a straw in and hand them over for 10-15 RMB. The resort will charge you 80 RMB for the same thing — walk five minutes and find a cart. - Sanya International Duty Free City 三亚国际免税城
A massive duty-free outlet mall next to the beach? Take my money. Not just massive, it’s actually the biggest duty-free complex in the world. Window shopping with air conditioning counts as an activity in this heat. Note: you need a departure flight within 30 days to buy and your passport to prove it.
More fun ideas for activites in the capital can be found in my Beijing Top 20 Activities Guide!
5 Top Travel Tips for Hainan
- The Flight Is Short But the UV Is Not
Three hours from Shanghai, four from Beijing, and you’re in the tropics. The sun here doesn’t mess around — SPF 50, reapply every two hours, and bring a hat or buy one from a street vendor for 20 RMB. I’ve seen people burn on day one and spend the rest of the trip in the hotel room. Don’t be the lobster. - Resort Prices vs Street Prices
The same coconut that costs 80 RMB by the resort pool is 15 RMB on the beach road. The same seafood platter is triple inside the hotel gates. Sanya is expensive if you never leave the resort, cheap if you do. - Rainy Season Is Real
June to October is less sun and more tropical storms and flash floods. November to March is the sweet spot. Check the forecast and pack a light rain jacket even in dry season . - The Metro Doesn’t Exist
If Didi isn’t your best friend on the mainland, it will be now. There’s no metro and limited buses in Sanya but didi’s are cheap and reliable so link your Alipay and keep your hotel address in Chinese handy. Bonus tip: save yourself and don’t rely on wifi for the map, grab an esim before you fly (personally recommend trip.com as you may not need a VPN to access your apps). - Night market Haggling Is Mandatory
The seafood price is per 500g, not per dish and they will weigh it in front of you. Watch the scale, check the total and negotiate the cooking fee at the restaurant before you sit down. Start at 60% of their asking price and meet in the middle.
Looking for the essential travel tips for China as a whole – the apps, the gadgets and everything else you’re gonna need to optimise your time? You can read my first-timer guide here.
3-Day Hainan Itinerary
Day 1: Resort & Beach
Morning: Sleep in, then resort pool and beach. Halong Bay (海棠湾) or Yalong Bay (亚龙湾) — turquoise water, powder sand, and the “what time is it again?” vibe. Fresh coconut from a beach vendor, not the resort bar.
Afternoon: Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park (亚龙湾热带天堂森林公园) — canopy walks, rope bridges, and the Eagle’s Nest viewpoint over the bay. The view from the top is the money shot. It’s a workout but the shuttle helps. Go early for empty bridges and no queue for photos. Having twisted my ankle on a mountian hike, I’m a sucker for a doctors trip on a tropical vacation but I’ve learned from my mistakes and stay covered with SafetyWing insurance because I’m not being locked up in my hotel again and neither should you.
Evening: First Market (第一市场) for seafood dinner. Pick your catch live, have it cooked at a nearby restaurant, and eat until you can’t move. Haggle hard, eat harder. Walk off the food coma along the beach road with a fresh coconut in hand.
Day 2: Mountain & Rainforest
Morning: Yanoda Rainforest (呀诺达雨林) — early start, proper shoes and prepare for a full day of canopy walks, waterfalls and rope bridges. Fun!
Afternoon: Descend, find a local spot for Hainan coconut chicken (海南椰子鸡) —somewhere local for a third of the price of a resort buffet.
Evening: Back to the resort for pool time or head to Phoenix Island (凤凰岛) to admire the Dubai-style skyline from a beach bar. Better yet, if you’re feeling bougie, do it the right way and grab a helictoper ride over the bay – for less than I’ve paid for a late night uber may I add. Nightcap with a coconut, because when in Sanya and hit the hay.
Day 3: Temple & Shopping
Morning: Nanshan Temple (南山寺) to see the giant Buddha amongst some gorgeous sea views. Go early to beat the heat and the crowds. It’s touristy but you’ll love it.
Afternoon: Sanya International Duty Free City (三亚国际免税城) — outlet shopping, window shopping, or actual shopping with your departure flight in hand. The scale is insane and the air conditioning is a bonus. Even if you’re not buying, it’s worth walking through for a coffee at Coach.
Evening: Final night market feast — Linchunling (林春岭) or back to First Market (第一市场). Load up on tropical fruit, seafood and whatever looks good.
Where to Next? Your China City Guides
To help you decide your next Chinese adventure, I’ve written detailed guides for every city I’ve loved and hated from my very own archives. Including where to stay, the best hotels, top things to do, eat and a 3 day itinerary, check them out below.
