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Monkey Island
Lingshui South Bay Monkey Island (also known as Nanwan Monkey Islet)
This island covers an area of about 10,000 hectares and is located in Lingshui County to the east of Sanya. There are almost 400 species of tropical plants and over 100 different kinds of animal, including the famous rhesus monkeys. There are about 1,500 of these monkeys on China's protected animal list and this is the world's only tropical island reserve for wild monkeys. You will enjoy watching the monkeys swim, swing from tree to tree and perform acrobatic tricks.
The island is located about 60 km from Sanya and costs RMB 20 by bus. A taxi will cost about RMB 200-300. The entrance fee to the Islet is RMB 138 per person.
Tropical Ocean Zoo
Watch the dolphins and sea lions dance
The Tropical Ocean Zoo is located only about 300 meters west of the Remotest Corner of the Earth or Tianya-Haijiao. The zoo includes six separate areas for sea lion and dolphin performances, a tropical aquarium, bird performance hall, seabird garden, crocodile hall and tortoise hall. There are also restaurants inside, so you can enjoy a relaxing lunch after seeing the various performances.
Entrance fee to the Aquarium is RMB 78 per person.
Daxiao-Dongtian Park
There are about 30,000 Dragon Blood trees in the park
This park is also known as the "Marvellous Sea and Mountain Spectacle" because of its strategic location facing the South China Sea. The park is located about 7 km from the Nanshan Cultural Zone and covers an area of about 377 hectares. One of the most famous features of the park is its rock formations, caves and of course the nearly 30,000 precious Dragon Blood trees, many of which are about 2,000 years old. The are is designed as a theme park for traditional Chinese Taoism.
The many attractions in the park include The Master Jian Zeng Rock, so called because the Buddhist Master Jian Zeng from the Tang Dynasty came here to rest and watch the sea. After many years, the rock where he used to sit took his shape and became a statue of the Master. There is also the Fairy Turtle God made from copper. In the old days, the fishermen often came here to pray to the turtle for good luck and peace. There is also The Longevity Stela with a big Chinese character meaning "Longevity" carved on it by Ci Xi, the Empress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty.
To get to the park costs only RMB 4 by bus from the Sanya West Station or RMB 80 by taxi from downtown Sanya. Entrance to the park is RMB 37 per person.
West Island
The fisherman's paradise
Shaped like a giant sea turtle, West Island lies about 8 km west of Sanya City, opposite the Remotest Corner of the Earth Resort, and has a population of about 3,000 who are mostly fishermen. The island covers an area of about 2 square kilometres. It takes about 10 minutes by boat to reach the island from the Remotest Corner of the Earth.
A long time ago, when the Crown Prince was looking for medicine to become immortal, he sent fishermen from the area to hunt for the fish needed to make medicine. Most of them never returned. When the Goddess of Mercy found out, she sent two giant sea turtles to guard the sea and protect the fishermen. Since then, the fishermen always return and live happily. With its clear blue water, fine and soft sandy beaches, the island is an ideal location for swimming, fishing and other water sports in a relaxed atmosphere far from the madding crowds. West Island provides holidaymakers with an ideal alternative to other facilities in Sanya, especially during peak seasons when it is crowded. Many water sports such as diving, surfing, motor boating and para-sailing are available on the island.
It costs RMB 2 by bus from Jiefang Road; by taxi is RMB 40 from Downtown Sanya and RMB 100 from Yalong Bay. Entrance to the Island is RMB 100 per person.
Wuzhizhou Island
Facilities on the island include the Wuzhizhou Island Holiday Resort.
Located in Lingshui Bay about 40 km northeast of Sanya City, Wuzhizhou, also known as Gu Qi Zhou in ancient times, covers about 1.48 square kilometres and is home to more than 2,000 varieties of plant. The island was a military base in the past and tunnels and look-out posts can still be found. Offering clear blue water with visibility down to 18 metres and colorful coral reefs, Wuzhizhou Island affords visitors a variety of water sports, including excellent fishing. With its abundant plant life, dense forests and green hills, it is truly a mini paradise for lovers because of its beautiful scenery and tranquil surroundings. Facilities on the island include the Wuzhizhou Island Holiday Resort with western and Japanese style bungalows.
Buses leaves Sanya Bus Station every half hour to Linwang Town, not far from the ferry to Wuzhizhou Island and cost RMB 4. Alternatively, a taxi will cost about RMB 150 to 200 per day. The ferry ride to the island costs RMB 103 per person. If you stay overnight on the island, it will cost RMB 50 (plus the hotel).
The Goddess of Mercy
Buddhist Cultural Centre Now Open
The recently completed Goddess of Mercy (or Lady Buddha) Park is located in the Nanshan Area of Sanya. Rated as one of the top scenic spots in China (AAAA), the project started in 1999 and opened to the public in April 2005. The most stunning feature of the park is the 108-metre statue of the Goddess of Mercy standing out in the South China Sea, on a man-made island. The palace at the base of the statue is connected to the shore by a 280 metre bridge.
The on-shore park is vast with many temples, statues and exhibits, as well as nature at its best, and should be seen using the hop-on, hop-off mini bus service. You can also stay in the hotel situated in the grounds of the park. Admission is RMB 160.
Dadonghai Tourist Resort
Rated as one of China's top 40 tourist attractions
Located just 3 km from Sanya's city centre, Dadonghai, which means Great East Sea, has a 2 km crescent-shaped beach with outstanding swimming and diving, all within a short distance of first-class hotels and great dining, shopping and entertainment facilities. Visitors to Dadonghai are treated to soft white sand and a clear blue sea, with water temperatures of between 18C and 20C during the winter. All kinds of water sports, including scuba diving and speed boating, are also available. Dadonghai is rated among China's top 40 tourist attractions by the National Tourism Bureau and is a "must-see"destination for visitors to Sanya.
The Remotest Corner
The Edge of the Sky and The End of the Sea
The Remotest Corner of the Earth Resort, or Tianya Haijiao, is undoubtedly Sanya's most famous scenic spot and the highlight for many visitors who come to experience the area's spectacular beaches, expansive sea views and rich history.
Located about 20 km west of Sanya City, the cape is a perfect harmonization of nature's palette, with bleached white sands, turquoise seas, deep blue skies and lush green hills. Rising over the beach is an ancient rock formation inscribed with Chinese characters meaning "The Edge of the Sky" written by Chengzhe, the chief magistrate of Yazhou Prefecture in the Qing Dynasty. This rock is so famous that it is even featured in the back of the 2 RMB banknote.
Another inscription nearby reads "The End of the Sea". The cape takes its name from the traditional belief that China represents the entire civilized world, and that the country's most southern shore marks the end of the world. The Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo, among others, was banished here due to the remoteness of the cape from Beijing. The area has been developed in recent years, with a beautifully landscaped park and gardens running parallel to the beach, as well as ample parking and shopping facilities at the gate. Visitors to the cape will encounter people of the indigenous Li people who sell various handicrafts, coral (don't take it home) and seashells.
Yalong Bay
Yalong Bay National Resort: not to be missed while in Sanya.
Yalong Bay National Resort is Sanya's premier destination for fun in the sun, providing visitors with an irresistible combination of a world-class beach, matchless swimming and diving, international resorts and superb golf facilities in one extraordinary package. Situated about 30 km east of Sanya City along a modern expressway, Yalong Bay centres on a 7 km crescent-shaped beach. The crystal blue sea and visibility down to 10 metres makes Yalong Bay an ideal location for scuba divers to enjoy the undersea world with its multi-coloured coral reefs. Those who prefer lounging by the pool to swimming in the sea will find pools of every size in the holiday resorts located directly on the beach. Golfers will find the 36-hole Yalong Bay Golf Club comparable to championship courses around the world. In addition to water sports and golf, look out for tennis, rock climbing and hiking among a wide selection of activities and attractions. Other attractions in Yalong Bay includes the Central Square, the Sea Shell Museum and Butterfly Valley. Yalong Bay National Resort simply should not be missed while in Sanya. |
