Hainan-Sanya-Haikou Expat

Here's a quick set of tips and recommendations for the Sanya beaches as we approach the Chinese New Year in Sanya.

Yalong Bay - This is a great beach to spend the day. If you want fancy, park at the Sheraton/Marriott/Hilton/Ritz end. If you want to enjoy a great beach on a budget, park at the Holiday Inn end of the beach and you will find many beachside vendors offering typical low priced Chinese street food/barbecue and drinks. In front of the Aegean Conifer is a barbecue/snack cafe on the beach with nice tables and chairs in the shade.

Dadonghai - The center of this beach rates a a big time AVOID. If you stay the far west end (near the Dadonghai Square and South China hotel) or east end (near the Jin Ling and Shan Hai Tian hotels) the beach area and boardwalk is great. Find Wave Bar for cheap beers at the beach. If you stay in the middle of Dadonghai, stay ONLY at the beachfront. 30 meters back its a filthy Armageddon leaving me wondering why any tourist in their right mind would ever voluntarily sit street side to have a meal and feel happy.

However, suffer the neighborhood to enjoy Marco Polo Italian restaurant, Pattaya Thai restaurant on the beach in front of the InTyme resort, and the 2nd floor Hong Kong Dim Sum restaurant at the BaoHong hotel. Also heard recently that Blue Lotus russian restaurant is currently serving up really good chow.

Sanya Bay - What's better than a 20km long sunset beach lined with tropical palm trees and grass for shady areas to picnic? However, the water and sand are below what one would hope. The best of Sanya Bay is at Jin Ji Ling Lu where you'll find Fat Daddy's and Casa Mia and the Japanese restaurant. Also, drive about 5 km further up toward the Howard Johnson and look for lantern lights on the beach where you'll find local vendors with chairs and tables right on the beach doing barbecue and cold beers...fabulous.

Cheers, M