Sanya Bay and Coconut Dream Corridor
Sanya Bay is the largest bay in Sanya, stretching more than 10 kilometres. Its shoreline is too long to appear as a clear curve,…
Sanya Bay and Coconut Dream Corridor, Sanya
Key facts
- Guidebook rating
- 3 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 2555. Open in Google Maps
About Sanya Bay and Coconut Dream Corridor
Sanya Bay is the largest bay in Sanya, stretching more than 10 kilometres. Its shoreline is too long to appear as a clear curve, and the blue sky and sea views lack the layered scenery of Yalong Bay and Dadonghai. The Coconut Dream Corridor is a famous coastal scenic avenue built along Sanya Bay, known as the “First Avenue in Asia.” It is 20 kilometres long, lined with waves, beaches and coconut palms. Tour groups rarely come to Sanya Bay. In the off-season and on weekdays, there are few visitors, and the whole beach can feel like it belongs to you.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. Beautiful sunsets: The sunsets at Sanya Bay are lovely. For young couples, cycling or driving along the Coconut Dream Corridor in the evening is very romantic.
- 2. Outdoor clubs: Near Haiyue Square there are several outdoor clubs where you can rent bicycles and inflatable kayaks, or join their one- or two-day outdoor activities. The best time to rent a bike is around 17:00, returning it after dark, when it is cooler and the sea breeze is pleasant. Couples' bikes cost ¥40 per 2 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Sanya Bay and Coconut Dream Corridor?
Sanya Bay and Coconut Dream Corridor is in Sanya, Hainan Province, in the South China of China.
More places in Sanya
Wuzhizhou Island
If you want to dive, Wuzhizhou Island is the best choice. Known as China's first developed tropical resort island, it is surrounded by clear water with the best visibility in Sanya, making it ideal for diving and other marine sports. The island is rich in conch, sea cucumber, Spanish mackerel, sea urchins and colourful tropical fish. Its surrounding coral reefs are remarkably well preserved, making it one of the best-protected natural marine areas along the coast of Hainan.
¥144 (admission + return boat ticket) · 1–2 days
Nanshan Temple
One of Hainan's most famous temples, Nanshan Temple is part of the Nanshan Cultural Tourism Area, a 5A-rated scenic area in Sanya (the other 5A-rated area is Daxiaodongtian). It lies 40 km west of Sanya city, on the southern foothills of Nanshan. Its location is excellent: hills embrace it on both sides, it faces the vast blue expanse of the South China Sea, and clouds and mist drift over the mountain all year round. Legend says that in 748 CE, Master Jianzhen (鉴真大师), on his fifth attempt to sail to Japan, was blown off course by a typhoon and his ship drifted into Nanshan Bay, where the first Buddhist hall was built. The present temple is of course a modern reconstruction. Out at sea beside it stands a huge statue of Guanyin, which has become a landmark of Sanya.
¥129 · 1–2 hours
Yalong Bay Tourist Resort
Yalong Bay Tourist Resort lies 20 km east of downtown Sanya. This half-moon bay, the southernmost on Hainan, is ringed on three sides by green mountains shaped like a whale rising from the sea, a truly spectacular sight. The beach is gently sloping, with white, fine sand made of true shell fragments, and visibility in the water reaches 7–9 metres, making it one of Sanya's finest beaches. Yalong Bay is home to most of Sanya's large international-class resort hotels, whose water facilities and landscaped gardens rival the world's top standards. It is the ideal choice for a luxurious holiday.
3–4 days
Xidao Island Marine Culture Tourist Area
Off Sanya's southwest coast are two small islands facing each other. Because sea turtles were once abundant nearby, they are known as East Daimaozhou and West Daimaozhou. Xidao Island is West Daimaozhou. Its water visibility exceeds 10 metres, and it lies within Sanya's national coral reef protected area, making it a diving paradise. The island is home to Xidao Amusement World, Niuwang Island Ecological Park and Ximao Fishing Village. Xidao Amusement World offers a range of watersports, such as sea fishing and diving, and is very popular with visitors.
¥98 · 3–5 hours
Binlang Valley
The scenic area is flanked by steep mountains, with a valley of rolling terrain stretching for several kilometres in between, hence the name “Binlang Valley” (Areca Palm Valley). The area includes several attractions, including the original Ganshi Li Village, an authentic Miao village and a mysterious rainforest. Visitors can learn about the development history of the Li people and the “Chiyou culture” of the Miao people.
¥80 · 3–4 hours
Dadonghai Tourist Area
Dadonghai is one of the first coastal resort areas in Sanya to be developed. It has mature dining and accommodation, convenient transport, free public beach access, and a wide range of watersports. Prices for most things are roughly half those in Yalong Bay. Because development started early and planning was weak, the area has many high-rise residential blocks and some eyesore unfinished buildings. Its natural scenery is not as pristine as Yalong Bay's, but it is busier with visitors. Hotels are mainly mid-range, ranging from five-star properties to youth hostels. At night, the beach has the liveliest atmosphere of anywhere in Sanya. Along the coast, beach bars play music, and fireworks are sometimes set off. You can eat beachside barbecue at open-air hotel stalls or at the busy roadside barbecue stands.
0.5–1 day