When people think about traveling to China, they usually think about Beijing, Shanghai, or maybe Chengdu. But did you know that China also has a tropical island? Welcome to Hainan.
Located in the southernmost part of China, Hainan is completely different from the China you might imagine.
Instead of freezing winters, huge skyscrapers, and ancient palaces, here you’ll find tropical beaches, coconut trees, luxury resorts, shopping malls, seafood, and warm weather.
And honestly, Hainan feels almost like a completely different country compared with the rest of China.
We visited Hainan to explore two of the island’s biggest cities, Sanya and Haikou, and they couldn’t feel more different.
Sanya is all about beaches, resorts, shopping, and tropical holidays.
Haikou feels more local, with historic streets, cafés, food markets, and a slower pace of life.
So if you’re planning your first trip to Hainan, this guide will show you where to go, where to stay, what to do, and some important things foreigners should know before visiting Hainan.
Why Visit Hainan?
Hainan is often called China’s tropical island, and once you arrive, you’ll understand why.
The island has a tropical climate, beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, and plenty of outdoor activities.
But there is another reason Hainan is becoming more interesting for international travelers.
It can be surprisingly easy for foreigners to visit.
Hainan has its own regional visa-free entry policy for eligible nationalities. As of 2026, citizens of countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, and several European countries can enter Hainan visa-free for eligible short-term purposes for up to 30 days.
This makes Hainan particularly interesting if you want to experience China but don’t want to plan a complicated multi-city mainland itinerary.
Of course, visa rules can change, so always check the latest official requirements before your flight.
How To Visit Hainan?
Getting to Hainan is easier than you might expect, especially if you are already traveling around Asia or mainland China. The island has two main airports for international and domestic travelers: Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport.
We usually find the best flights deal to get to Hainan from Trip.com
Sanya or Haikou: Which City Should You Visit?
This is probably the first question you’ll have when planning a Hainan trip.
And honestly, it depends on what kind of holiday you want.
🏝️ Sanya
Best for: Beaches, luxury resorts, shopping, nightlife, tropical vacation
Sanya is the more touristy and resort-focused part of Hainan.
If you want to spend your holiday by the beach, stay in a beautiful resort, go shopping, and enjoy tropical weather, Sanya should be your priority.
🥥 Haikou
Best for: Local culture, food, architecture, cafés, shopping
Haikou is the capital of Hainan, but it feels much more local than Sanya.
There are fewer resort-style attractions, but you get historic streets, local food, interesting architecture, and a more everyday look at Hainan.
My recommendation
If you have enough time, visit both.
Spend a few days in Sanya for the beaches and resorts, then travel north to Haikou for a completely different side of Hainan.
🚄 Travel around both cities are very easy since you can take China high speed train that connecting Sanya and Haikou
Best Places to Visit in Sanya
1. Dadonghai Beach
If you want an easy-to-access beach in Sanya, start with Dadonghai Beach.
Dadonghai is located close to central Sanya, which makes it much easier to visit compared with some of the more remote resort areas.
The beach is surrounded by restaurants, cafés, shops, hotels, and nightlife, so you don’t have to travel far to find something to eat after swimming.
It also has a more lively and international atmosphere compared with some of Sanya’s quieter beaches.
And the beach itself is free to visit.
For me, Dadonghai is a great place to stay if you want beach access without feeling completely isolated inside a resort.
📍 Location: Dadonghai, Sanya
💰 Entrance: Free
2. Shopping in Sanya
Sanya is not only about beaches.
It is also a great place to shop, especially if you’re interested in luxury brands, cosmetics, fashion, and duty-free shopping.
There are several malls around the city, including Pineapple Mall, Sanya One Mall, and the famous cdf Sanya Duty Free Shopping Mall.
The cdf mall is especially popular with tourists because of Hainan’s duty-free shopping program.
So if you enjoy shopping, I would definitely leave some space in your suitcase.
You might need it.
3. Tianya Small Village
If you’re looking for somewhere more relaxed and photogenic, check out Tianya Small Village.
This area has a more creative and local atmosphere, with cafés, small shops, restaurants, colorful buildings, and places to take photos.
It’s very different from the huge luxury resorts around Sanya.
And if you like finding Instagram-worthy places when traveling, you’ll probably enjoy walking around here.
Don’t confuse this with Tianya Haijiao, the famous scenic area known as “The End of the Earth.”
Tianya Haijiao is a separate attraction famous for its coastal scenery and large rocks with historic inscriptions.
4. Atlantis Sanya
If you’re traveling with family or simply want a fun resort experience, Atlantis Sanya is another popular attraction.
The resort combines a hotel, water park, aquarium, restaurants, and entertainment facilities.
Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, you can visit the resort’s attractions with the appropriate tickets.
5. Take a Trip to Shenzhou Peninsula
Here’s something I would definitely add if you have extra time in Hainan.
Shenzhou Peninsula.
Technically, Shenzhou Peninsula is in Wanning, on the east coast of Hainan, rather than in Sanya.
But it is a great addition to a Hainan road trip or multi-city itinerary.
The area is known for its long coastline, beaches, resort hotels, and beautiful ocean views.
Compared with Sanya, it feels much quieter.
If you want to escape the busier tourist areas and spend a night somewhere peaceful by the sea, Shenzhou Peninsula is a great option.
And this is where you can stay at the Grand Hyatt Shenzhou Peninsula.
Where to Stay in Sanya
1. Banyan Tree Sanya
If you want a quiet and luxurious resort experience, Banyan Tree Sanya is a beautiful option.
The resort is located around the Luhuitou area and offers a much more private atmosphere compared with staying in the middle of the city.
This is the kind of hotel where you can spend a whole day relaxing without needing to go anywhere.
Best for: Couples, luxury, privacy, relaxing vacation
2. The Shanhaitian Resort Sanya, Autograph Collection
If you want something more central, The Shanhaitian Resort Sanya, Autograph Collection is a great option.
The hotel is right around Dadonghai, so you’re close to the beach, restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
I especially like this type of location because you get the comfort of a luxury hotel while still being able to walk outside and explore.
Best for: Luxury + convenient location
3. Grand Hyatt Shenzhou Peninsula
If you’re planning to visit Shenzhou Peninsula, you can also make it part of your hotel experience.
Grand Hyatt Shenzhou Peninsula is located right by the coast and is a great option if your idea of a Hainan holiday is more about escaping the city.
This is the type of place where you can slow down for a couple of days, enjoy the resort, and wake up next to the ocean.
Best for: Resort vacation, beach, peaceful getaway
Best Places to Visit in Haikou
1. cdf Haikou International Duty-Free City
If you love shopping, don’t skip cdf Haikou International Duty-Free City.
This huge shopping complex is one of the major duty-free shopping destinations in Hainan.
It’s much more than just a shopping mall, with restaurants, entertainment, and plenty of luxury and beauty brands.
The complex is located in the west of Haikou, so I would combine it with other attractions in the area rather than making a separate trip just for shopping.
📍 Location: West Haikou
2. Yundong Library
This might be one of the most beautiful libraries I’ve ever seen.
Yundong Library, also known as the Cloudscape Library, is located along Haikou’s waterfront.
The building has a futuristic white design with curved walls and huge open spaces overlooking the sea.
And this is one of those places where the building itself is the attraction.
You don’t have to be a huge book lover to enjoy it.
Come here for the architecture, take some photos, walk along the waterfront, and enjoy the view.
It’s a very different side of Hainan from the beaches of Sanya.
3. Qilou Old Street
If you want to experience the historic side of Haikou, go to Qilou Old Street.
This is one of the most interesting areas in the city.
The word “Qilou” refers to the traditional arcade-style buildings where the upper floors extend over the sidewalk, creating covered walkways below.
The historic district contains hundreds of these buildings, with a mixture of Chinese and Southeast Asian architectural influences.
And this is one of my favorite types of places to explore when traveling.
You don’t really need a plan.
Just walk around the streets, look at the old buildings, stop for food, and explore the small shops.
You’ll also find plenty of local Hainanese food here.
Pro tip: Don’t only stay on the main street. Walk into some of the smaller side streets because that’s where you can see more of the local atmosphere.
4. Nanmen Night Market
If you want to experience Haikou after dark, check out Nanmen Night Market.
This is a great place to try local snacks and street food without spending too much money.
Hainan is famous for dishes such as Hainanese chicken rice, Hainan noodles, seafood, coconut-based desserts, and other local specialties.
So come hungry.
And don’t worry if you don’t recognize everything on the menu.
Sometimes the best travel experiences happen when you simply point at something that looks good and give it a try.
Where to Stay in Haikou
1. Hilton Haikou
Another good option is Hilton Haikou.
The hotel is located along Haikou’s waterfront and offers views over the city and surrounding area.
It’s a comfortable base if you want to explore Haikou during the day and return to a more relaxing hotel in the evening.
Best for: Luxury city stay, views, couples and families
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Is Hainan Good for Foreigners?
Yes. Actually, I think Hainan can be one of the easier destinations in China for a first-time foreign visitor who mainly wants a relaxing holiday.
The biggest advantage is that you can stay in one region and enjoy a resort-style vacation without constantly changing hotels.
Sanya also has plenty of international hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and tourist infrastructure.
But you should still prepare for the usual China travel differences.
Some international websites and apps may not work normally in mainland China.
For payments, Alipay and WeChat Pay are extremely useful.
I would also recommend having mobile data that works in China before you arrive, especially if you rely on translation, maps, ride-hailing, or messaging apps.
And download your important travel information before leaving your hotel in case your internet connection isn’t working properly.
Best Time to Visit Hainan
Hainan is warm throughout much of the year, which is one reason it’s such a popular beach destination.
For a more comfortable beach holiday, November to April is generally a good period to consider.
Sanya’s tourism board describes November through April as particularly comfortable, with pleasant temperatures and good conditions for swimming and outdoor activities.
The summer months can be hot, humid, and wetter.
There is also a higher risk of tropical storms and typhoons during parts of the year, so if you’re planning outdoor activities or island trips, always check the weather forecast before you go.
Check out our Sanya Vlog
Explore More Hidden Gems in China
If you’re planning a longer trip, check out our other China travel blogs featuring Zhangjiajie, Shanghai, and Guangzhou — each offering its own unique blend of nature and culture.
For detailed routes and insider travel tips, download our China Travel eBook, which includes itineraries, hidden attractions, and local experiences curated from our own journeys.
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