Slow Travel in Sanya City and Yazhou Ancient Town

Stay around the First Market in the city centre, explore the mangroves, Xidao Fishing Village and Yazhou Ancient Town, then visit Betel Nut Valley to learn about Li and Miao culture.

Designed for visitors who have already been to Yalong Bay and want to experience local life in Sanya. Staying in the city centre makes it easy to eat seafood. During the day, explore by area: the mangroves and wetlands along the riverbank in the city, Xidao Fishing Village, the Dadong and Xiaodong caves and Yazhou Ancient Town in the west. One day, head north to Baoting's Betel Nut Valley to learn about Li boat-shaped houses and brocade weaving, then stop at Luobi Cave on the way back. For your last half day, take in views of the city from Luhuitou. This itinerary is relaxed and does not include Wuzhizhou Island or Nanshan.

Boats to Xidao Island are affected by wind and waves. If it's very windy, swap this day with another.

Day by day

Day 1 · Sanya River mangroves and wetlands

Sanya（Bailu Park、Sanya River Mangroves、Sanya Dong'an Wetland Park）

A taxi from the airport to the city centre takes about 25 minutes. In the afternoon, walk along the Sanya River from Egret Park to the wetlands on the east bank, about 3 km.

For dinner, buy seafood at the First Market and find a processing restaurant. Confirm the processing fee first.

Stay: Sanya City Center · First Market

Day 2 · Day trip to Xidao Fishing Village

Sanya（Xidao (West Island)）

Take a taxi from the city centre, about 30 minutes, to the Xidao pier. Take a boat about 15 minutes to the island, where you can explore by bike. Return to the city in the evening.

Food on the island is pricey, so bring your own water and snacks. Confirm the last boat time when you arrive on the island.

Stay: Sanya City Center · First Market

Day 3 · Dadong and Xiaodong caves and Yazhou Ancient Town

Sanya（Daxiaodongtian Scenic Area、Yazhou Ancient City）

Drive or hire a car west from the city centre, about 1 hour, to the Dadong and Xiaodong caves. Then head north about 20 minutes to Yazhou Ancient Town. Return to the city centre in the evening, about 1 hour.

Yazhou Ancient Town is free to enter. Some buildings, including the Confucian Academy, may be closed on Mondays, so check before you go.

Stay: Sanya City Center · First Market

Day 4 · Betel Nut Valley and Li and Miao culture

Wuzhishan & Baoting（Binglanggu Li & Miao Cultural Heritage Park） → Sanya（Luobi Cave）

Head north from the city centre about 40 minutes to Betel Nut Valley in Baoting and spend half a day there. On the way back, it takes about 30 minutes to reach Luobi Cave, then return to the city.

Betel Nut Valley is least crowded in the morning. Check the schedules for performances such as the Firewood Dance.

Stay: Sanya City Center · First Market

Day 5 · Luhuitou city views and Xiaodonghai

Sanya（Luhuitou Park、Xiaodonghai）

Take a taxi about 15 minutes to Luhuitou in the morning. Walk down the hill to the Xiaodonghai beach. In the afternoon, take a taxi about 30 minutes to the airport.

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