CHINA 5A TRAVEL
The park runs long and thin, west gate to east-end Xiaoyue Bay, so the art is choosing a direction: ride the shuttle out and walk back, or string the whole coast on foot with the sea always at your side. These notes blend official guidance with recent travelers' field experience.
Suggested Itinerary
- Three hours — The Reverse Classic
Take the shuttle straight to far-end Xiaoyue Bay, then walk back west stop by stop: lighthouse and beach → Jianzhen sculptures → Lesser Cave of Heaven → dragon-blood grove and Longevity Stele → South Sea Gate of Blessing → exit. Mostly flat, no backtracking. - Full day — Collect Both Caves (4–5 h)
Morning on the coastal trail of cliff inscriptions and the Stone Boat, then the steep kilometre of stone steps past Yanshou Bridge to the Greater Cave boulder and Sword-Testing Peak panorama; afternoon in the Sanya Natural Museum, then golden hour at the Gate and water sports at Xiaoyue Bay. - West-Coast Grand Day
Morning at the Buddhist Nanshan Cultural Zone (108-metre Guanyin, about 4 h), afternoon here among the Taoist caves (3 h), sunset at Tianya Haijiao (2 h) — all three linked by 8–12-minute taxi hops.
What to See
Sword-Testing Peak & the Greater Cave
The completist's climb: a steeper stone trail to Mao Kui's 1247 'Greater Cave' boulder and the park's best full panorama of coast and reef.
Song Cliff Inscriptions
The 4.5-metre Stone Boat inscribed in 1186, the Fishing Terrace, Immortal's Footprint and Immortal's Ladder — a protected heritage trail, joined by Guo Moruo's 1962 praise of the 'wonderful isle of the southern deep'.
Longevity Stele & Centenary Steps
Pose as the missing word between the 'Longevity' stele and the 'South Mountain' rock to spell the blessing 'live as long as the South Mountain' — the perfect photo for visiting elders.
Sanya Natural Museum
Free with entry: 1,000-plus fossils recreating life 140 million years ago, starring the national-treasure-grade Sanya Pterosaur.
Xiaoyue Bay Water Sports
Diving, semi-submarine boat, banana boat and jet ski over Class-I water — or simply claim the free sand, watch the sea and let the platforms drift past.
Rainbow Slide & Jungle Coaster
The playful side of the park: a rainbow slide down the hillside, a forested mountain coaster, an RV campground and Hainan's first 5A-themed post office.
Photo Gallery
Tips from Real Travelers
Food & Drink
Yazhou Sour Rice Noodles (崖州酸粉)
The old town's signature bowl, ten minutes away — tangy, spiced and very welcome after a hot coast walk.
Wenchang Chicken
Hainan's most famous dish: silky poached chicken with rice cooked in its broth and a zingy ginger-scallion dip.
Coconut Chicken Hotpot
Young-coconut water simmering tender chicken — Sanya's beloved, refreshing hotpot.
Hele Crab
One of Hainan's four classic dishes — fat, sweet crabs, usually simply steamed; order them fresh.
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