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Compare live prices for Sanya
Prices change constantly, so we don't quote them here. Compare live prices on these partner sites:
Flights from the UK: compare on Skyscanner to find cheap tickets with trusted airlines. Direct flights on Chinese airlines from London can take some of the shortest routes. In China: Trip.com is our pick for trains, hotels and things to do, with an English app.
Instagrammable stays
Our pick of the most photogenic hotels in Sanya, from comfortable to top-end. Tiers and price levels (£ to ££££) are our editorial banding; check live prices before you book.
Photo: N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0
Luxury · £££
Atlantis Sanya
Underwater suites look straight into the resort's huge aquarium.
Top-end · ££££
Raffles Hainan
Low-rise resort on Clearwater Bay with long, quiet beach views.
Nearby tags: approx walk = straight-line distance × 1.3 at 80 m/min, from © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Hotel photos are from Wikimedia Commons where a free licence allows; otherwise see photos on the partner site. Credits.
Search hotels in Sanya
Best time to visit
October to April is the dry, warm high season and ideal for winter sun. May–September is hot and humid with rain and typhoon risk, but it can be quieter. Chinese New Year and Golden Week are the busiest (and dearest) times.
Getting there from the UK
There are no regular direct London–Sanya flights that we could confirm. Connect via a Chinese hub such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Chengdu (direct London flights operate to several of these), or via another Asian hub. Hainan Airlines has listed London–Haikou services at times; Haikou is about 1.5–2 hours from Sanya by high-speed train. Compare routes on Skyscanner.
Hainan visa note: as well as the nationwide 30-day visa-free policy for British citizens (until 31 December 2026, per GOV.UK), Hainan has its own scheme. According to the Hainan provincial government and China's National Immigration Administration, UK ordinary-passport holders can enter Hainan visa-free for up to 30 days through any open Hainan port (including Sanya Phoenix Airport). That scheme only covers stays within Hainan. If you'll continue to mainland China, make sure the nationwide policy (or a visa) covers your whole trip. Always check GOV.UK and the Chinese Embassy before travel.
Top tips
- Yalong Bay: the classic: a long crescent of fine white sand lined with big international resorts, and good snorkelling.
- Sanya Bay: a long city beach with sunset views and easy access to restaurants and local life.
- Haitang Bay: newer, quieter resort strip, plus a huge duty-free shopping complex.
- Dadonghai: a compact, lively beach close to the city with plenty of mid-range hotels.
- Wuzhizhou Island is popular for diving and clear water. Nanshan Temple and its giant sea-facing Guanyin statue make a good half-day trip.
- Pack high-factor sun cream. The tropical sun is strong all year.
- Hainan's eastern high-speed railway loop links Sanya with Haikou and the rest of the island.
China essentials for UK travellers
- Visa: according to GOV.UK (as checked in October 2026), holders of full 'British citizen' passports can currently enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits or transit, until 31 December 2026. Longer stays, or other purposes like work or study, need a visa. Your passport needs at least 6 months' validity and 2 blank pages. Rules change, so always check GOV.UK and the Chinese Embassy in the UK before you travel. Hong Kong and Macao have separate rules.
- Getting there from the UK: direct flights on Chinese airlines from London Heathrow and Gatwick to cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu take roughly 10–11.5 hours, some of the shortest routes between the UK and China, often with competitive fares. Compare flights on Skyscanner to find cheap tickets with trusted airlines. Book trains, hotels and activities in China on Trip.com.
- Getting around: China's high-speed rail network is fast and affordable. Book in advance (Trip.com sells China train tickets in English), and bring your passport, which is used as your ticket ID. Domestic flights cover longer hops.
- Payments: China is largely cashless. Alipay and WeChat Pay both let you link a foreign Visa or Mastercard, so set them up before you go. Carry some cash as a backup, because many smaller vendors don't accept foreign cards directly.
- Staying connected: some apps you use at home, such as Google Maps, Gmail and WhatsApp, may not work normally in mainland China. Download offline maps (Amap or Apple Maps work well) and a translation app before you go, and tell family which app you'll use to keep in touch. International roaming or a travel eSIM bought before departure is the easiest way to get online.
- Registration: hotels register foreign guests with police automatically. If you stay privately, you must register within 24 hours (GOV.UK).
- Busy periods: avoid Chinese New Year and Golden Week (1–7 October) if you can. Trains and attractions sell out and prices rise.