Top Sanya activities and best outdoor adventures

Top Cultural Hand-on activities in Sanya

Coconut carving

• Type: Cultural Immersion/Art
• Duration: Around 1-2 hours
• Location: Sanya

There is a long-standing folk tradition in Hainan of crafting everyday items such as bowls, cups, and spoons from coconut shells. Over time, this practice gradually evolved into Hainan coconut carving, a traditional decorative art that uses coconut shells, coconut wood, and coconut fiber as its primary materials.

Coconut carving reached a high level of craftsmanship during the Ming and Qing dynasties, when fine pieces were presented to the imperial court as tribute and honored as “Tributes from the Southern Seas.” The carving process is meticulous and involves multiple steps, including material selection, modeling, carving, openwork detailing, inlaying, polishing, and finishing. Inspired by Hainan’s tropical environment, common motifs include ocean waves, coconut groves, tropical flowers, and marine life. In addition to traditional items such as vases, fruit trays, and tea sets, coconut carving has embraced modern design elements and now appears in stylish jewelry, creative phone cases, distinctive keychains, and refrigerator magnets.

Visitors can also join hands-on workshops, where they learn to carve intricate patterns and shapes into coconut shells under the guidance of skilled local artisans, gaining a deeper appreciation for this unique island craft.

Making Li-style rice cakes

• Type: Cultural Immersion/Food
• Duration: Around 1-2 hours
• Location: Sanya

Rice cakes are a popular snack in Hainan Island, and visitors can learn how to make them in the traditional Li-style. The process involves pounding glutinous rice into a dough and shaping it into cakes before steaming and serving with various fillings.

Li Brocade Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience

• Type: Cultural Immersion/Art
• Duration: Around 1-2 hours
• Location: Sanya

Li brocade is a traditional textile art primarily woven from cotton threads, with hemp, silk, and gold or silver threads used as accents. The craft is characterized by techniques such as weaving, dyeing, and pattern weaving, with embroidery used only sparingly. Ancient-style looms and traditional tools are still used, and the entire process is completed entirely by hand.

Under the guidance of experienced artisans, participants receive step-by-step, hands-on instruction, starting with the most basic weaving techniques. Visitors can learn how to set up the loom, understand traditional patterns and color symbolism, and gradually create their own small woven piece. This immersive experience offers a rare opportunity to appreciate the patience, skill, and cultural wisdom behind Li brocade, bringing this centuries-old intangible heritage vividly to life.

Admire Romance show

• Type: Cultural Immersion/Art / Show
• Duration: Around 1hour
• Location: Sanya

Sanya offers a rich variety of cultural performances, including traditional dance and music shows presented by local troupes. Visitors can not only enjoy these performances but also take part in dance classes to learn some of the movements themselves.

A true highlight is the large-scale live show Romance of Sanya, a must-see experience. This spectacular production features cutting-edge stage effects, including 3,000 tons of real water, the world’s largest transparent water curtain, more than 1,000 mist nozzles, and a 360-degree panoramic stage, creating an immersive, close-up viewing experience.

The show seamlessly blends Sanya’s history, ethnic traditions, and natural landscapes into a powerful audiovisual feast. Lasting about 60 minutes, it tells a series of stories from different periods of Sanya’s past. The dancers become storytellers of history, vividly bringing ancient legends and cultural heritage to life through graceful movements and emotionally rich performances.

Batik dyeing

• Type: Cultural Immersion/Art
• Duration: Around 1-2 hours
• Location: Sanya

Batik dyeing is a traditional textile art that involves applying wax to fabric before dyeing it. Visitors can try their hand at batik dyeing and create their own unique designs under the guidance of local artisans.

Hainan-style cooking

• Type: Cultural Immersion/Food
• Duration: Around 1-2 hours
• Location: Sanya

Hainan Island is known for its delicious cuisine, which is characterized by the use of fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and aromatic herbs and spices. Visitors can take cooking classes and learn how to prepare some of the island's signature dishes, such as Wenchang chicken, coconut rice, and Hainan-style noodle soup.

Adventures in Sanya

Hiking

Sanya has several scenic mountains and trails that are perfect for hiking. One popular option is the Nanshan Mountain, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding landscape. Another option is the Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone, which features a network of trails through lush rainforest and a range of outdoor activities.

Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park is another must-visit hiking destination. Located high above the coastline, the park combines rainforest trails with dramatic viewpoints overlooking Yalong Bay’s turquoise waters. Along the way, hikers can explore iconic attractions such as the Dragon-Crossing Suspension Bridge, glass skywalks, and scenic pavilions, making the hike both adventurous and visually rewarding.

Water sports

Sanya's beaches offer a range of water sports activities, including swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and more. Some of the most popular beaches for water sports include Dadonghai Beach, Yalong Bay, and Haitang Bay, West Island.

Golfing in Sanya

Sanya attracts golf enthusiasts from around the world thanks to its exceptional natural environment and rich tourism resources. The city is home to a wide range of golf courses, including Yalong Bay, Luhuitou, Haitang Bay, Hongxia Valley, and Shenquan, offering diverse playing experiences across coastal, mountain, and valley landscapes.

Yalong Bay Golf Club features a classic links-style course, with 98 strategically placed bunkers and over 120,000 square meters of man-made lakes woven throughout the fairways, presenting an exciting challenge for golfers of all skill levels.

Luhuitou Golf Club, an international championship-level course, is renowned for its dramatic setting where mountains meet the sea. Its ocean-view fairways and scenic elevation changes create a truly unforgettable golfing experience.

Haitang Bay Sea View Golf Club is an international-standard 18-hole course uniquely designed along the coastline, allowing golfers to enjoy sweeping sea views while playing in a refreshing ocean breeze.

Shenquan International Golf Club offers two full 18-hole championship courses—the Shenniu Course and the Shenquan Course—as well as a standard driving range, making it a comprehensive golfing destination for both professionals and leisure players.

Cycling

Sanya has a number of scenic cycling routes that allow you to explore the local countryside and coastline. You can rent a bike from one of the many rental shops in the city or join a guided cycling tour. Some popular routes include the Coastal Cycling Trail and the Nanshan Mountain Bike Trail.

Island hopping

Sanya is surrounded by several small islands that are perfect for day trips. You can take a ferry or speedboat to the nearby Wuzhizhou Island, which is known for its clear waters and coral reefs. Other popular islands include the Nanwan Monkey Island and the Luhuitou Peninsula.

Zip lining

For a thrilling adventure, you can try zip lining at the Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park. The park offers several zip line courses that allow you to soar over the treetops and enjoy stunning views of the bay.

Customize Your Unique Sanya Tour

If you are interested in the Sanya itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Sanya Tour, please visit our Sanya Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

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