Things to do in Sānyà
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Dàdōnghāi
Unsurprisingly for a beach resort, the vast majority of things to see and do revolve around sand, sea and after-hours entertainment. Dàdōnghāi is convenient to the widest range of accommodation and eateries. It does get busy, however, and it's worth arriving reasonably early to secure one of those fixed umbrellas or risk being burned to a crisp - between March and November the sun can be blisteringly hot. It offers jet-skiing, banana boats, snorkelling, diving and parasailing.
One of the most entertaining activities is just to sit with a drink and people-watch. You will inevitably see that classic Sānyà sight - the couple or family of holidaying mainlanders dressed in …
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Yalong Bay
Yalong Bay is undoubtedly more attractive and less crowded, though with fewer shops and vendors budgeters might want to bring their own food and water. It offers a wide range of activities, including jet-skiing, banana boats, snorkelling and diving. China's beaches are theoretically open to everyone but at Yalong Bay there is a quasi-official fee if you're not staying at one of the beachfront resorts. To avoid this, walk through one of the hotels rather than entering the beach from the main square.
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Cultured pearls
Southern Hǎinán is famous for its cultured pearls and infamous for the persistent saleswomen who flog them on Dàdōnghāi beach, though in fairness they're not that bad. Most of the pearls are genuine, if not good enough to make the export market, and sell for just a few dollars. But there are some cases of people being duped into paying for fine-looking plastic. If in doubt, scratch away at the pearl - if it's plastic, it should flake or chip; a real pearl won't.
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Dōngběiwáng Jiǔdiàn
One of Dàdōnghāi's best restaurants (just see the parade of celebs on the wall as you go up the stairs), the food includes delicious northern Chinese dishes plus dumplings and Wénchāng chicken. It's on the 1st floor of the Zhōng Yáng Hotel.
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Be There or Be Square
Easy to find between the two bridges leading into Sānyà, this place has a good vibe and a decent range of music but no real dance floor, meaning the mostly Chinese patrons tend to dance at their tables. Admission is free.
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Rainbow American Café
The most popular place among the backpacker crew when we passed, Rainbow has live music most nights, a pool table, dance floor and friendly staff. It also serves food.
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Net Cat Nightclub
A younger crowd than Be Square, with mainly techno music and a dance floor. Admission is free but there is a minimum first purchase. It's busiest from 21:00 to 23:00.
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Sky Bar
Loud but generally fun, Sky Bar tends to be the opening play of a night out in Dàdōnghāi.
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Qidian Coffee House
For coffee, light meals and air-conditioning, this coffee house just next door to Roma is a safe option.
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Roma
For something more European in a relatively refined atmosphere, try Roma's pasta and very tasty pizzas.
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Surfing Hǎinán
From May to September, Dàdōnghǎi gets decent surfing waves, while nearby Shíméi Bay has prime conditions from November to January. You can rent boards from Surfing Hǎinán, which was started in 2008 by three surfers from China, Japan and the US. Lessons (including lunch) and multiday packages for the experienced are also available.
Surfing is just starting to gain a tiny following in China and so far the majority of surfers out on the waters are still Westerners. This is not the next Indonesia but as part-owner Brendan says, 'The best thing about surfing Hǎinán is that it's empty.' Beginners will find this a no-hassle spot to try a sport they've always been curious a…
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Sunny Sanya Family Inn
Has good local dishes, including a number of fresh seafood dishes, at very reasonable prices.
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Rainbow Bar & Grill
Rainbow serves spot-on Western favourites such as club sandwiches (Y45) and burgers, and features a pool table, dance floor and live music most nights. The location is by the river between Sānyà and Dàdōnghǎi.
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Pattaya Thai Cuisine
Serves some great Thai staples with a killer view over the bay. The location is on the boardwalk, behind Resort In Time. There's a picture menu.
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Fat Daddy's
Just up the road from Bud is this ground-level bar with a leafy outdoor patio across from the beach, and a large indoor bar with pool tables. Folksy rock music is played loud and there's a big selection of cocktails and beers, including some Australian microbrews. Fat Daddy's is also popular for its generous steaks and pizzas.
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Bud
Overlooking Sānyà Bay, Bud serves fruit drinks, teas, coffees and alcoholic drinks until late from its inimitable rooftop location. Enter to the left of the shop with the sign 'Military mu robust keeping in good health hall'.
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Beaches
The long sandy strip off the city centre at Sānyà Bay (三亚湾; Sānyà Wān) is the most relaxed of the three main beaches, and the one place you will really see people kicking back, laughing, playing and having a beachy old time. There's a long pathway for strolling in the cool evenings, and if the tide is out a little you can walk on the sand for many kilometres.
Dàdōnghǎi Bay (大东海湾; Dàdōnghǎi Wān) sports a wider beach than Sānyà and has a shaded boardwalk running along most of its length. The setting, in a deep blue bay with rocky headlands, is simply gorgeous but it does get busy here and people really seem to be trying too hard to enjoy themselves.…
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Number 1 Market
The outdoor seafood restaurants either side of this night market are a great place to immerse yourself in the full Chinese experience. The atmosphere is palpably up, the seafood is excellent, and while you're waiting for the meal you can wander off to shop for cheap lingerie, floral shirt sets or myriad other items.
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