Itinerary

1. Day 1: Exploring Sanya’s Mystical Sights

   • Attraction: Da Xiao Dong Tian (The Large and Small Cave Heaven)
   • Activity time: Approximately 2 hours
     • As one of the first batch of 5A-level national tourist attractions, the "Daxiao Dongtian" (Big and Small Caves) holds two prestigious titles. The first is that it is known as the "First Scenic Spot of Qiongyai 800 Years Ago," famous for its beautiful landscapes since ancient times. It is the earliest developed scenic area in Sanya, Hainan, with a history dating back 800 years to the Southern Song Dynasty. The second title is that it is considered the "Sacred Place of Taoist Culture at the Southernmost Tip of China." According to legend, during the Song Dynasty, the governor of Yazhou, Mao Kui, practiced alchemy in the Small Cave and eventually attained immortality.
     • The name of the scenic area is derived from Taoism. It is said that Taoism has ten major caves, thirty-six minor caves, and seventy-two blessed lands, referring to famous mountains and scenic spots where immortals reside.
     • Since ancient times, this place has been regarded as a "blessed land" of five blessings in Chinese culture, and it has also been a place deeply associated with dragon culture. Every year on the second day of the second lunar month (known as "Dragon Head Raising Day"), a grand dragon-themed cultural event is held at the site. During this time, Chinese people from all over the world gather to participate, welcoming the five blessings into their homes and praying for longevity and prosperity for themselves and their families. The scene is lively and spectacular.
     • Daxiao Dongtian is not only known for its stunning beauty but also for its spiritual energy. Its picturesque landscapes have attracted countless newlyweds to come here for wedding photography, making it the first officially designated wedding photography base for all-region tourism in Sanya.
   • Attraction: Tianya Haijiao (The End of the Earth)
     • The Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area is located in the southwest of Sanya, Hainan, between Sanya Bay and Hongtang Bay. It is a national 5A-level tourist site covering a total area of 16.4 square kilometers, with 10.4 square kilometers of land and 6 square kilometers of sea. The natural landscape of Tianya Haijiao consists of large beach rocks, the Xiamaling Peak, Tianya Bay, and sandy beaches with clear waters. Major attractions in the area include the “Tianya” Rock, “Haijiao” Rock, and the “South Pillar of Heaven” monument. The name "Tianya Haijiao" comes from two giant rocks, inscribed with “Tianya” and “Haijiao,” as well as a plaque by the famous Chinese writer Guo Moruo, which reads “Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area.”
     • Legend has it that long ago, a young couple from a distant land fell deeply in love since childhood. However, their families did not approve of their relationship, and so they fled to Hainan Island, to Sanya. Facing the vast ocean ahead and their pursuers behind, they saw no escape and embraced as they ran towards the sea. At that moment, a thunderstorm erupted, and with a loud crash, everyone turned into stones. It is said that the two giant rocks standing by the sea, inscribed with "Tianya" and "Haijiao," are the lovers of that time, while the small stones surrounding them represent their families chasing them. 
     • Many couples visit Tianya Haijiao, walking through the area to witness the love that remains unbroken even at the "end of the world."

2. Day 2: Tropical Wonders and Cultural Legacy

   • Attraction: Yalong Bay Tropical Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone
   • Activity time: Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
     • Yalong Bay (Ya Nuo Da) is the only tropical rainforest in China located at 18 degrees North latitude, gathering a rich array of tourism resources including tropical rainforests, canyon wonders, flowing springs and cascading waterfalls, Li ethnic customs, tropical fruits, southern medicinal herbs, and hot springs. It represents a concentrated version of the five major tropical rainforests of Hainan Island and can be considered a "diamond-level rainforest attraction" in China.
     • "Ya Nuo Da" is a phonetic term, which in the local Hainan dialect represents the numbers one, two, and three. The scenic area has given it new meaning: "Ya" symbolizes innovation, "Nuo" signifies commitment, and "Da" means to practice or fulfill. At the same time, "Ya Nuo Da" is also translated as "Welcome" or "Hello," expressing friendliness and blessings.
     • In the tourism area, the tropical rainforest provides a canopy of shade, with flowing springs and waterfalls cascading down. As you stroll through the rainforest, you can feel the refreshing coolness of the air. Here, you will be amazed by six natural wonders, including centuries-old vines, millennia-old ferns, giant medicinal plants like Ganoderma mushrooms, the "cold-blooded killer" that seals the throat with its venom, and the tropical rainforest itself. These wonders will certainly leave you in awe.
     • In terms of climate, this area is a valley for escaping the summer heat and winter chill. Geologically, it is a valley of waterfalls and streams. For wellness, it is a valley of southern herbal medicines and hot springs. Culturally, it is a valley of Li ethnic customs. Here, you can be stunned by the six wonders of the tropical rainforest, admire the magnificent canyon landscapes, linger near the flying waterfalls and flowing springs, marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship of Li brocade, taste the sweet and fragrant Li family liquor, and fall in love with the never-ending supply of tropical fruits.
     • Unmissable Experience: Full-Sea View Glass Walkway
     • The highlight of the Full-Sea View Glass Walkway is its panoramic "full-sea view," offering a 360-degree perspective of the rainforest and the world's most stunning scenery. Marvel at the world-record-certified "largest natural Maitreya Buddha statue" while enjoying the exhilarating experience of walking above the ground.
   • Attraction: Hainan Betel Nut Valley Li & Miao Cultural Tourism Zone
   • Activity time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
     • Hainan Betel Nut Valley Li and Miao Cultural Tourism Area was established in 1998. It is located at 18° North latitude, within the Ganshiling Nature Reserve, on the border between Baoting County and Sanya City. The scenic area is nestled within a vast forest of over ten thousand tall and graceful betel nut trees, surrounded by ancient towering trees and vines, forming a tropical rainforest. It covers an area of over 5,000 acres and is located 26 kilometers from Yalong Bay and 28 kilometers from the center of Sanya.
     • The name "Betel Nut Valley" comes from the rugged mountains on both sides of the valley, with a stretch of several kilometers of betel nut groves in the middle. The scenic area consists of seven cultural experience zones: the Intangible Cultural Heritage Village, Ganshi Li Village, Gulin Miao Village, Tianye Li Village, the large-scale live performance "Betel Nut · Ancient Charm," Orchid Cottage, and the Li and Miao-style food street. The area is known for its beautiful landscapes. The scenic area also showcases ten items of national-level intangible cultural heritage, including the "Li Ethnic Traditional Spinning, Dyeing, Weaving, and Embroidery Techniques," which is listed by UNESCO as one of the intangible cultural heritages in urgent need of safeguarding.
     • Betel Nut Valley is a true gathering place for Hainan's indigenous culture. Everything here retains the authentic "Hainan flavor." One of the most prominent features of the local people is the "sculpted ears," where "sculpting" refers to facial tattooing, and "leaving ears" means wearing large earrings. In Betel Nut Valley, people who exhibit these traditional features are visible everywhere, becoming a unique and valuable cultural landscape.
     • Betel Nut Valley is also one of the main venues for Hainan's Li and Miao ethnic groups' traditional "March 3" and "Qixi Water-Splashing Festival" celebrations. It is a hub of cultural charm and is considered a "living fossil" of Hainan's ethnic culture.
   • In the scenic area, visitors can participate in various activities such as sightseeing tours by car, small trains, go-karts, amphibious off-road vehicles, and rainforest water drifting.

3. Day 3: Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Park & Eternal Love Show

   • Attraction: Nanshan Buddhism Cultural Park & Nanshan Sea Guan Yin
   • Activity time: Approximately 2 hours
     • The Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Park is a national 5A-level tourist attraction in China. Its main structures include the Nanshan Temple, the South Sea Guanyin Statue, the Guanyin Cultural Park, the Sacred Sites of India, the Buddhist Scenic Area, the Forest of Stupas, the Return to Roots Garden, the Buddhist Cultural Exchange Center, and a vegetarian food and shopping street. This park is a showcase of traditional Chinese Buddhist culture, rich in profound philosophical meanings, and designed to enlighten the mind and guide one’s life.
     • Located 40 kilometers southwest of Sanya, Hainan, at the foot of Nanshan, the Nanshan Temple is the southernmost temple in mainland China. From the sea-view platform in front of the temple, one can glimpse towering mountains partially shrouded in mist. At this moment, the famous Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi's line—“Suddenly I hear of a fairy mountain in the sea, the mountain appears between the void and the mist” (AD 772–AD 864)—seems perfectly fitting.
     • The most famous attraction at Nanshan Temple is the world-record-breaking South Sea Guanyin, a 108-meter-tall statue worth 600 million RMB. Another highlight is the world’s first golden jade Guanyin statue, valued at 192 million RMB, which is considered a masterpiece of global craftsmanship. The unique artistic charm of this statue, along with the connection between Guanyin and Nanshan, draws visitors from around the world. Nanshan Temple is an unparalleled representation of deep Buddhist and Chinese cultural heritage, making it one of the world’s most remarkable Buddhist sacred sites.
   • Attraction: Eternal Love Performance
     • Qian Gu Qing (Eternal Love) is a comprehensive themed park that perfectly integrates performing arts, history, culture, technology, and art. Here, visitors can experience not only the natural beauty, cultural history, and folk customs of Sanya, but also immersive experiences through live performances, special effects shows, and interactive activities.
     • The Qian Gu Qing scenic area is mainly divided into ten themed functional areas: the Sanya Qian Gu Qing Grand Theatre, Yazhou Ancient City, Technology Amusement Pavilion, South Sea Goddess Square, Li Village and Miao Village, Qingming Riverside Picture, Water Play Area, Snack Plaza, Ghost Domain Horror, and more. The park is also home to various Hainan intangible cultural heritage workshops, a Hainan handicraft market, and local snack stands, scattered throughout the area.
     • The park offers spectacular outdoor interactive performances such as Journey Through Time, Princess Xian’s Military Drills, Time-travel Flashmob, Walking on the Knife Mountain and Passing Through Fire, and various Hainan folk skills shows. It also hosts folk festivals such as the New Year Carnival, Pottery Festival, Torch Festival, Li Ethnic "March 3" Festival, Water-Splashing Festival, and Ice and Snow Festival, all of which are immensely popular with tourists. Among them, the large-scale song and dance performance Eternal Love of Sanya at the Sanya Qian Gu Qing Grand Theatre is a must-see cultural feast, telling the historical and cultural legends of Sanya.