Sanya, with its warm climate all year round, is truly a national treasure for vacationers, offering countless attractions and a variety of experiences on land, sea, and in the air! Want to explore effortlessly and stress-free? Check out this ultimate Sanya travel guide. This edition focuses on the top attractions and must-know tips for Wanning, ensuring you make the most of your trip without any hassle! There is also a guide to the most beautiful coastal highway in Wanning!
Overview of Wanning Coastal Highway
The Chinese version of California Highway 1 is 35 kilometers long and takes about 1 hour one way. If you stop and go and play slowly, you can easily shoot for a whole day. From Shimei Bay to Dahuajiao, the mountains, sea, sunset, beach, and countryside appear in front of you, as if you have entered a fairyland, a blockbuster rhythm. Wanning Coastal Highway is very friendly to tourists. There are viewing platforms and small parking lots along the way, which are convenient for everyone to check in and pose!
Must-Visit Attractions in Wanning
Phoenix Jiuli Bookstore
Address: Shimei Bay Beach, Wanning, Hainan
Opening Time: 8:30-20:20
Highlights: Known as the most beautiful seaside bookstore, it features large floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides. Outside, you'll see blue sky, white clouds, and sea outside; inside, the air is filled with the scent of books. You can order a cup of coffee and enjoy the perfect moment of relaxation!
Shimei Bay Seaview Pavilion
This coastal cliff road is incredibly photogenic—be sure to bring a drone! The view is stunning, with the vast ocean on one side and dramatic cliffs on the other. In addition to the cliff road, the 6-kilometer-long stretch of pristine beach with clear blue waters and soft white sand is also the filming location for many movies and variety shows.
Shenzhou Peninsula Lighthouse
You’ll need to park your car nearby and walk about 20 minutes to reach the lighthouse, or you can ride a shared bike. The red and white color lighthouse standing out beautifully against the blue sky and clear water looks particularly pure and artistic, and it is especially photogenic. The temperature will be higher during the day, so it is recommended to go there in the evening. This lighthouse is also the prototype of a lighthouse in Hayao Miyazaki's comics. It is super photogenic to check in and take photos here.
Wanning Jiajing Island
An uninhabited island located in Shimei Bay, with the same sea view as the Maldives, the sea water of Jiajing Island is invincible, the seafood resources are rich, and the diving experience is excellent. You cannot go to Jiajing Island, but you can participate in water activities in the nearby waters.
Wanning Dazhou Island
A national nature reserve with rich species on the island. The corals in the underwater world of Dazhou Island are very beautiful. There is an ancient shipwreck in the sea, which is very similar to the Greek shipwreck and is called the "Chinese Shipwreck Bay". Dazhou Island also has a long tail beach. The island scenery and underwater world of Dazhou Island are better than Jiajing Island.
Wanning Dahuajiao
Admission: Free
Highlights: A beautiful wild beach, the coastline is covered with huge pebbles, the stones are polished smooth and round by the waves, and the photos are very like a big Australia. Just navigate to "Dahuajiao". You need to walk in the woods for 10 minutes to get to Dahuajiao. It is recommended to wear shoes that are convenient for walking.
Tips: Shanqin Bay and Dahuajiao are both undeveloped places. They are natural landscapes hidden in the village. It is recommended that you bring food and water when you go there.
Hainan Wanning Shanqin Bay
A unique, undeveloped beach in Wanning featuring a long stretch of silver sand and striking black reef caves. The popular "Swallow Cave" (Yan Zi Dong) is located here—perfect for capturing dramatic silhouette photos.
It is a little far from the coastal highway, requiring about 10 minutes to walk to the beach.About 50 meters to the right, you'll find Dolphin Rock, and about 1 km to the left is Swallow Cave.
Heads-up: Once you reach the entrance, locals will try to direct you to park in their lot and insist you take their electric tricycles, charging per section. It costs around 30 RMB per person to reach the beach. If you refuse, you'll face a long 40-50 minute walk on a dirt road. Honestly, the area is a bit of a tourist trap now, so be mentally prepared for the extra cost—just treat it like paying an entrance fee. After all, it’s the most unique black reef beach along the eastern coastline.
Swallow Cave in Shanqin Bay
Shanqin Bay is known for its ancient temple, black reef rocks, and Swallow Island, where birds rest. It’s often described as "half sea, half flame" because of its dramatic landscape. The unique scenery has attracted many bloggers to come and take pictures.
✔️Wanning Must-Do Highlights
1. Go snorkeling around the undeveloped Jiajing Island to snorkel and enjoy the beautiful underwater scenery.
2. Go surfing in Shimei Bay, the coaching team of the show Summer Surf Shop, less people and better experience.
3. Watch the sunrise over the reefs at Shimei Bay, known as the most beautiful bay in Hainan.
4. Explore the coffee culture at Longyuan Coffee Manor.
5. Take your children to Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden, a lot of plants to quickly increase your knowledge.
6. Take the exclusive beach sightseeing train of Amy in Shimei Bay.
7. Go to Fenjiezhou Island at the junction of Lingshui, it's like straying into a mysterious and dreamy Greek castle.
8. Go to Shimei Bay to catch the sea and watch the waves hide the little starfish in the beach.
9. Go to Phoenix Jiuli Book House to write postcards or read books.
10. Check out Bali Village, a perfect photo spot with exotic vibes.
11. Visit the iconic red and white lighthouse on Shenzhou Peninsula, straight out of a Hayao Miyazaki animation.
12. Go to Dazhou Island, known as the "Chinese Shipwreck Bay", for stunning scenery.
13. Rent a car and take a drone to Wanning No. 1 Highway in Riyue Bay where you can see the sea to shoot blockbusters.
14. If you want to shoot high-end silhouette blockbusters, go to Shanqin Bay Swallow Cave.
15. See the "Pearl Bay" at Dahuajiao, where the coastline is covered with massive smooth pebbles.
16. Don’t miss trying the famous Xinglong Nanyang-style cuisine at the most popular local internet-famous restaurant.
17. Enjoy a seafood BBQ buffet dinner while watching the sunset and stars at the Horizon Restaurant of Le Méridien Shimei Bay — the same spot featured in the show Viva La Romance.
Must-eat food in Wanning
Dongshan lamb, Hele crab, Houan noodles, seafood, Xinglong coffee
In addition to many scenic spots, Sanya also has many other experiences such as yachting and helicopter sightseeing, which I will not go into detail. Guests who need this can consult our customer service staff.
Click here to explore more travel guides in China: Travel Inspirations.
Want to learn more about travel routes in China? Click the links below to explore our tours to Sanya and Zhangjiajie and start your journey in China!
Seven Star Bay: 5-Day Exclusive Haitang Bay Getaway in Sanya
Sanya Extravaganza: 5 Days of Feasting on the Sea and the Sky Your Destination: Sanya, Hainan
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