Collection of China NO:29 Sanya

Author: Xu Jiaguo
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Sanya is located at the southern tip of Hainan Island (Hainan Province), China. It enjoys a sub-tropical climate with four seasons like summer, where frost and snow are rare year-round, and flowers bloom all seasons, earning it the nickname "Oriental Hawaii." This climate is highly suitable for tourism, leisure, and vacationing. The city covers an area of 1,919.6 square kilometers, with a coastline of 209.1 kilometers and 19 harbors. Major ports include Sanya Port, Yuli Port, Nanwan Port, Tielu Port, and Liudao Bay. Prominent bays include Sanya Bay, Hainan Bay, Yalong Bay, Yanzhou Bay, Dadai Bay, and Moon Bay. There are 40 islands in total, with the main ones being Xidao Island and Wuzhizhou Island.
Sanya was historically known as Yanzhou, with a long and rich history. Archaeological evidence shows human activity in Sanya's Lopidong Cave as early as 10,000 years ago, and ancient Persian burial grounds have been discovered along the coast. As early as the Qin Dynasty, Yanzhou was one of the three southern prefectures established by Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Due to its remote location far from the imperial capital, it has been called "the end of the earth" since ancient times. Famous monks like Jianzhen, Song Dynasty prime minister Zhao Ding, and textile artist Huang Daopo all visited Yanzhou, with statues commemorating them at relevant sites.
Sanya is a home to over 20 ethnic groups, including Han, Li, Miao, Hui, and others. The total population of the city is 456,000 (with 130,000 in the urban area), including 173,000 Li people, 3,000 Miao people, and 6,000 Hui people. Each ethnic group is hardworking, intelligent, and skilled in singing and dancing, creating a long-standing cultural heritage. Ethnic minorities still preserve their unique cultures and customs. The strong local flavor, diverse ethnic traditions, and colorful ethnic arts attract countless domestic and international tourists. The city's long history and multi-ethnic population have fostered a rich and diverse folk culture, as well as exquisite handicrafts and religious traditions. Traditional customs and cultural life are deeply moving.
Sanya's cultural and artistic heritage includes myths and legends, folk dances, ethnic music, sculptures, gardens, religious traditions, and handicrafts, among others. With diverse genres and forms, these elements have beautified and enriched Sanya, delighting visitors with their splendor. Li and Miao folk dances represent Sanya's dance art, with movements inspired by hunting and farming, and melodies derived from traditional folk songs. During harvest festivals and the Spring Festival, the Li and Miao people gather in open village spaces, lighting torches, striking gongs, and dancing joyfully to celebrate with dances like "The Deer Dance," "The Deer Turn Back," and "Coconut Shell Dance." Among these, "The Firewood Dance" was awarded as one of the best national dance programs and was designated as a preserved ethnic dance in China.
Diverse coconut handicrafts, shell carvings, and specimens of marine animals and butterflies are emerging as new varieties in Hainan's tourism commodity market. Local artisans use coconut shells as materials, drawing inspiration from myths and legends to create intricate carvings that reflect life.
Sanya has a long history of folk weaving, renowned both domestically and internationally. It can be broadly categorized into cotton weaving and bamboo weaving. Cotton weaving, primarily represented by the Li people, features exquisite patterns and vibrant colors, including items like blankets, cloth towels, belts, head coverings, backpacks, and skirts. Bamboo weaving uses mountain bamboo, processed through complex steps like splitting and polishing, to create a wide range of decorative and practical handicrafts.
"Where the sky ends and the sea begins, a long and arduous journey lies ahead. 'Fellow travelers at the end of the earth'—how many exiled officials and officials of lower rank have shed tears on this path." But today's Sanya is no longer the "end of the earth." "In the endless scorching wilderness, nowhere to be found; flowers bloom at the end of the earth." Sanya attracts countless tourists with its spectacular scenery, sunny beaches, and coconut-laden sea breezes. This coastal tourist city, covering 1,919 square kilometers and home to 445,000 people, including the Li, Miao, and Hui ethnic minorities, is like a beautiful pearl nestled in the emerald waters of the South China Sea. When the northern regions are covered in ice and snow, Sanya remains lush and warm.
"The scenery of the sea beyond the sea is unique; willows and flowers bloom all year round. The changing seasons pass unnoticed, but peach blossoms mark the passage of time." This poem by Fang Xiang, the Ming Dynasty governor of Qiongzhou, describes Sanya's unique natural landscape with its spring-like weather year-round and beautiful scenery, which has been widely circulated.
Here, sunlight, seawater, beaches, air, forests, animals, hot springs, and caves combine to create a rare natural wonder where mountains, cities, sand, and sea intertwine. Green mountains rise everywhere, surrounded by emerald waters and shaded by coconut groves, presenting a picturesque tropical coastal landscape. Strolling here feels like stepping into a fairyland.
Yalong Bay, known as the "Oriental Hawaii" and called "the world's best bay," is celebrated for its beauty. "If you see the sea in Sanya, you won’t see any better; except for Yalong, there’s no bay like it." During the day, visitors can watch clouds and tides, while at night, they can listen to waves and drift into dreams. Dadai Bay, with its flat, warm sand, is a winter swimming paradise. The giant stone sculpture on Luhoutou Mountain tells the enchanting love story of a Li hunter and a deer spirit. The Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area, known as "the northern Great Wall and southern end of the earth," features towering rocks and crashing waves. The Haishan Qiguan Scenic Area is renowned for its "clouds drifting beyond the sky, a thousand sails on the sea." The Nanwan Cultural Tourism Area focuses on Buddhist culture. The ancient Yanzhou City, Islamic burial grounds, and Yanglan are unique cultural landmarks that invite visitors to reflect on history and linger in admiration.
Enjoying the sea, staying by the sea, and savoring seafood fully showcase the charm of this coastal tourist city. The wide, white sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, and vibrant underwater world make Sanya the perfect destination for sunbathing, snorkeling, windsurfing, and beach sports.
Hotels and resorts, such as the Kele Resort Hotel, Nanzhonghai Hotel, and Pearl River Garden Hotel, line the coast, taking full advantage of the sea, sand, sun, and air. Others like the Dongfang Hotel and Sanya International Hotel are located in bustling areas, offering convenience to visitors. Fresh seafood is served fresh, delighting diners.
Elegant seafood restaurants along the coastal road allow visitors to enjoy the clear blue sky, gentle coconut breezes, and the sight of fishing boats while savoring delicious seafood, adding another layer of enjoyment to their journey.
Strolling through the streets, visitors can find various tropical fruits, dried seafood, and a wide array of shell and coconut handicrafts.
"The distance is a thousand miles, and a thousand miles will not return"—this was the ancient Chinese lament about the remoteness of Qiongya from the central plains.