Sanya Bay
The palm promenade on the doorstep, a free day — and the question of how well Sanya works without a car.
| Hotel | 3 nights Tiancheng Belmont, Vignette Collection, on the promenade |
| Light | The bay faces west — sunset on the doorstep approx. 18:02 |
| Swimming | Yalong Bay — Sanya Bay is an urban coastline |
| Buses | 125 along the bay · 115 to Yalong Bay · check in Amap |
What this section is about
Back at Sanya Bay, this time at its western part and right on the palm promenade: the sunset happens on the doorstep. After the busy days in Haitang Bay, there's a day here with no programme at all.
The second day is devoted to a question many people ask: how well can you manage in Sanya without a car and without a tour? The honest answer has to do with a bus route listed in almost every guidebook — and which no longer exists in that form.
Getting around Sanya Bay
You can walk the promenade or ride route 125, which runs west along the bay. Yalong Bay is about 40 minutes away by Didi. By bus you take route 115 to the bay's bus station and change there to one of the feeder routes.
For the way back after sunset and for fixed appointments, Didi is the more relaxed choice. Check all bus connections in Amap on the day.
- Set up the transit QR code in Alipay before you board a bus for the first time.
- For the duty-free shopping on 11 November, bring passport and departure ticket.
Turquoise = blue hour · Gold = golden hour · Light = harsh midday light
Day by day
Just a few steps from the room: the bay faces east, the sun rises straight over the sea.
Within walking distance of the InterContinental. Bring passport and departure ticket.
By Didi across the city, about 40 kilometres.
Golden hour and sunset on the palm promenade, just a few steps from the hotel.
Sleep in and recharge — the morning belongs to the pool and the beach on the doorstep.
About half an hour by Didi. The city beach behind Deer Hill: swim, watch how the diving touts work — and stay until evening.
When the sun goes down, the “migratory birds” come to dance — group after group until after ten. Watching is welcome, joining in too.
The locals' big seafood square, a few minutes from Egret Park. The same system applies as at the First Market: agree the price per jin beforehand.
All the way west along Sanya Bay to the terminus, about an hour and a half. Sit on the sea side and check the route number in Amap beforehand.
Rocky coast, the “Little Cave of Heaven”, dragon trees and the landing of the monk Jianzhen. Take the electric bus to Xiaodongtian stop.
About 40 minutes by Didi — or back on the 125.