Tianya Haijiao

天涯海角

A beach with giant boulders inscribed 'Tianya' and 'Haijiao'. Once regarded by exiled officials as the 'end of the earth', it is Sanya's most culturally significant coastline.

Tianya Haijiao lies on the coast about 23 kilometers southwest of central Sanya. It takes its name from the words 'Tianya' and 'Haijiao', which a Qing dynasty magistrate of Yazhou carved on the coastal boulders. Meaning 'the edge of heaven, the corner of the sea', the site was once the southern frontier where exiled officials were sent. It was once the top symbol of Hainan tourism. Highlights include the Tianya Rock, Haijiao Rock, and Nantian Yizhu (the 'Single Pillar of the South Sky', which appears on the back of the 2-yuan note of the fourth series of renminbi), along with the Sun and Moon Rock on the beach. Behind the beach is a coconut palm walkway and a sculpture garden honoring famous historical figures who were exiled to Hainan. The sunset over the sea and the silhouette of the rocks are very photogenic in the evening. To get to the beach, walk from the main gate or take an electric cart (about 15 yuan) and walk along the coastline to Tianya Rock, Haijiao Rock, and Nantian Yizhu. This takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The scenic area also offers boat trips for viewing the rocks from the sea. Tickets cost about 70 to 80 yuan in peak season. Online booking offers discounts. Some time slots have been free of charge since 2023, but please check the official website for details. Getting there: take Bus 16 or 25, or a tourist shuttle, to the 'Tianya Haijiao' stop. A taxi from the city takes about 40 minutes. You can visit Nanshan (15 kilometers further west) on the same day. Note: queues for photos at Tianya Rock can be long, the surf is strong so swimming is not recommended, and there are many commercial sales pitches inside the park.

Tianya Haijiao

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