Hainan-Sanya-Haikou Expat

Well, is it or isn't it one of the best local island beaches around? We say yes Dadonghai beach an awesome, funky, bohemian 3km crescent moon shaped beach hangout lined with one of the world's very best 30m wide exotic tropical wood and garden boardwalks complete with a mixed selection of cafes, bars and seafood restaurants with 15rmb beers and fresh fruit juices. Hey, what MORE do we want in a local beach? All that's comparatively missing is beach front bungalows.

No I haven't lost my mind as we all know there is a big challenge to overcome here. My original Dadonghai Beachfront Boardwalk article below published first in 2007 points the way to how you can still enjoy Dadonghai beach even though the neighborhood construction projects loom darkly over the neighborhood. The trick is to head straight to beach, buffered still by one of the world's finest 30 meter wide tropical wood and garden landscaped boardwalk of cafes and restaurants for over 2 kilometers. Highlights include Vanda's Russian and Pattaya Thai restaurants, both right next to the Intyme Resort along with a stop at CoffeeWorld for a perfect espresso and great variety of smoothies, pizza and other menu items, you'll even find a well made fresh hummus plate!

The photo is from one of the room balconies at our #1 Recommended NanFeng Guest Hotel, still the finest little budget spot in all of Sanya with summer rates for beachfront balcony rooms at only 268rmb/nite!!

Original 2007 Dadonghai Boardwalk Article

I digress a bit by encouraging you to tolerate the downtown noise for the sake of "must visits" to Wayne's Silk Street where you'll find a superb and reasonably priced selection of fashions. Follow your shopping with a superb dinner round the corner at Marco Polo Italian restaurant. Highly recommend order the mascarpone cheese pasta with caviar along with Franco's outstanding twin fillet steak dinner plate. You'll also find an authentic Hong Kong breakfast dimsum restaurant on the 2nd floor of the BaoHong hotel just up the road, naturally followed by a visit to Surfinghainan to catch the waves...

We've always loved the Kempinski / Paulaner combination at the far tip of Sanya Bay, with it's unique private beach, heck, my wife and I even had our wedding right on that beach and it was perfect! The fact is that Paulaner at the Kempinski is one of the best evening spots around to hang out, right down on the beach and next to their amazing garden pool area too.

And let me give you a perfect menu tip; order the German meats/sausages/pork knuckle platter that will feed 3-4 people. Its only 208rmb and that free beer is on your table.

So head over to enjoy this special beer offer and their excellent new band right now...I prefer the Dunkel myself!...Cheers, M

Check it out in our new Sanya Bay Section !!!

Here's a nice lineup of import beers to try at reasonable prices...Cheers, M

Australian Imports - 25rmb bottle

Victoria Bitter VB
Toohey's All Natural

England Imports - both only 35rmb for 500 ml cans

London Pride - 500 ml can
ESB - 500 ml can

USA Microbrew - 30rmb

Dead Guy Dark Ale - bold flavor and packs a punch at 6.0% alcohol

Cheers, M

Hailing from Columbia, and with his band the past few months at the Crowne Plaza, does a great job soloing guitar and vocals at Fat Daddy's....meanwhile, I'm told part of the Filipino band is back to Rainbow 2 and other Filipino musicians currently performing at Wave Bar on Dadonghai beach....check 'em all out boys and girls....thanks for the heads up from Jerome....Cheers, M

We will miss the good things in our local life starting with downtown Dadonghai becoming quite the center of new construction resulting in that section of shops including Coco Cafe...

Read more »