Sanya: Summer Vacation with Kids: 10 Ideas for Unforgettable Experience and Travel Made Easy!
Sanya, China, 28 April 2025 - Planning a summer vacation with children and searching for the perfect getaway? Sun, sea, sand, and a multitude of vibrant memories await you in Sanya, the pearl of China’s tropical paradise! This resort is a true haven for families with kids, offering a wide array of activities for every taste and age. In this article, we’ll share 10 ideas for an unforgettable summer vacation in Sanya.
1. Beach Vacation
Sanya is famous for its delightful beaches. Choose a bay and a hotel that suits your family’s needs:
Yalong Bay: This bay is renowned for its crystal-clear water and pristine white sand. Excellent hotel choices that offer a variety of amenities for children include Horizon Resort & Spa Yalong Bay, MGM Grand Sanya, Marriott Yalong Bay Resort & Spa, and many others.
Dadonghai Bay: Located in close proximity to the city center, this bay is convenient for families with young children. You may consider staying at Harman Resort Hotel Sanya (currently the only all-inclusive hotel in Sanya) or Sunshine Resort Intime Sanya.
Sanya Bay: The longest bay in Sanya, perfect for enjoying sunsets and a peaceful atmosphere. Great hotel options include Ocean Sonic Resort Sanya and Pullman Oceanview Sanya Bay Resort & Spa.
Haitang Bay: One of Sanya’s most prestigious and rapidly developing resort areas. Make your vacation unforgettable by staying at hotels like Atlantis Sanya, Crowne Plaza Haitang Bay Resort, and Westin Sanya Haitang Bay Resort.
2. The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis Sanya
Revel in the majestic views of the various biomes represented across our 30 exhibits; containing 86,000 aquatic life, and encompassing 280 species. Whether you are here to learn, or to witness our mermaid show in-person, The Lost Chambers Aquarium has it all.
3. Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis Sanya
Aquaventure Waterpark is open every single day of the year, offering excitement for families and friends all year-round. The waterpark offers guests unparalleled excitement and larger than life experiences. Guests can enjoy a multitude of different slides, get up close and personal with sharks and rays. Whether you are a water coaster fanatic or just looking for a relaxed splash around in the pools, Aquaventure Waterpark promises fun for everyone.
4. Wuzhizhou Island
Wuzhizhou Island is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts: snorkeling, diving, jet skiing, banana boat rides, parasailing, and more. Young explorers can take glass-bottom boat tours which reveal the amazing underwater world to even the youngest visitors.
5. Monkey Island
Monkey Island is a unique nature reserve where you can observe over 2,000 wild macaques in their natural habitat, providing children with unforgettable emotions and vivid impressions from interacting with animals. A cable car ride with stunning views and entertaining monkey shows make visiting the island an engaging and educational adventure for young travelers.
6. Yanoda Tropical Rainforest
Embark on an exciting journey into the Yanoda Rainforest. Walk across suspension bridges, ride a zipline, and admire the beauty of the wilderness. This adventure will allow your children to feel like true explorers.
7. Paddy Field National Park
The park, featuring a rice paddy garden, is a place where you can admire magnificent terraces, learn about the traditions of rice cultivation, see more than 300 life-size dinosaurs from different eras, and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the surrounding nature.
8. Binglanggu Li & Miao Cultural Heritage Park
Get acquainted with the distinctive culture of the indigenous peoples of Hainan by visiting the Binglanggu Li & Miao Cultural Heritage Park. Here, you can see traditional dwellings, learn about the crafts and customs of the Li and Miao ethnic groups, and enjoy performances by dancers and musicians.
9. Tridacna Museum
Embark on a fascinating journey into the world of marine treasures by visiting the Tridacna Museum. This museum features a unique collection of tridacna shells, as well as other marine artifacts. It’s a great place for children interested in nature! Admission is free!
10. A Taste of the Tropics: Local Cuisine
For a truly authentic taste of Sanya, be sure to explore its diverse culinary offerings. Sample the freshest seafood, savor tropical fruits bursting with flavor, and discover traditional Hainanese dishes at local eateries. Treat the kids to a traditional qingbuliang dessert or unique fried fruit ice cream. And don’t forget to wander through the vibrant markets, where you can find fresh ingredients and delicious regional snacks.
Discover Sanya Visa-Free:
Sanya extends a warm invitation to international travelers, offering a diverse range of convenient visa policies and measures meticulously designed to suit various travel styles. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be guided by clear multi-language signs (Chinese, English, Russian, Korean, etc), offering easy access to a world of tax-free shopping options, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience in China’s tropical paradise.
Before Arrival
Hainan offers three key visa policies designed to ensure a seamless arrival for international visitors.
1. 30-day Visa-free Entry for 59 Countries
Citizens of the 59 eligible countries can enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay in Hainan by arriving directly from overseas, holding a valid passport, and completing the required entry application at Hainan’s designated ports.
2. 240-hours Visa-free Transit
Citizens of 54 countries transiting through China to a third country (region) can enjoy a stay of up to 240 hours within designated areas of 24 provinces (regions and municipalities), including the entire Hainan province, by entering through any of the 60 permitted ports of entry.
3. 144-hours Visa-free
Citizens of countries having diplomatic relations with China can enjoy up to 144 hours of visa-free travel to Hainan by joining a tour group of two or more people organized by a legally registered travel agency in Hong Kong or Macao, provided they enter and exit Hainan as a group through designated open ports and remain within the province.
For full list of the countries, please visit here.
Entry Procedure
The entry procedure at the Sanya Phoenix International Airport is simple and clear.
After disembarking from your flight and entering the terminal, you will first arrive at the immigration inspection area of the international terminal, immigration officers will assist you in filling out the arrival card and collecting your fingerprints. Alternatively, you can use self-service machines for document collection, fingerprint verification, and facial recognition.
When you arrive at the immigration hall, please prepare your travel documents and visa in advance, and queue in an orderly manner for inspection. Immigration officers, based on your documents, will advise you on the applicable entry policy. The visa-free policies differ between countries, please ensure you select the correct one.
After completing immigration procedures, follow the signs to the baggage claim area. Except for individuals exempt from customs supervision and travelers under 18 years of age traveling with accompanying adults, travelers carrying items that must be declared to customs should use the Customs Pocket Declaration applet or submit a written declaration to customs, and proceed through the declaration channel. If you do not have items to declare, you may use the no-declaration channel.
After customs inspection, you will arrive at the one-stop service center for foreign travelers, which provides one-stop, comprehensive and convenient services, including communication, payment, inquiries, cultural and tourism guidance, and transportation. Additionally, at duty-free shops, restaurants, and retail outlets within the airport, you can conveniently use international cards and cash for payments.
After reaching the international arrivals hall, follow the signs to access city transportation, where you can check schedules and routes.
For more regional visa policies concerning Hainan, Sanya, check here.
For detailed information regarding Hainan, Sanya, visit here.
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Travelers in Hainan can now enjoy hassle-free taxi payments with a convenient new solution designed for international visitors. Pay for your rides easily using credit cards (UnionPay, VISA, and MasterCard issued abroad), Apple Pay, or other electronic wallets linked to VISA or MasterCard services. Taxi drivers accept these payments via Android smartphones equipped with NFC technology.
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Travelers from overseas or Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions of China, staying in China for up to 183 consecutive days are eligible for departure tax refunds 11%, which can be claimed at all open ports in Hainan by following these steps: first, shop at designated tax-refund stores of Sanya, ensuring each purchase is at least 500 yuan and obtaining a value-added tax invoice and a Tax Refund Application Form; then, upon departure, present your goods, tax invoices, and Tax Refund Application Form to customs officials for inspection at the Sanya Phoenix International Airport, before proceeding to the tax refund agency to submit your valid passport, stamped Tax Refund Application Form, and tax invoices for processing; the tax refund will be provided in Chinese Yuan (RMB). Importantly, all tax-free items must be unused and unconsumed, you must depart from Hainan within 90 days of purchase, and the tax-free goods must be carried with you either as carry-on or checked luggage.
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Sanya established the first tourist police in China to protect the rights of tourists. Additionally, the 12345 hotline provides 24/7 assistance in Chinese, English, Korean, Russian, and Japanese.
Armed with these essential tips, you’re now well-prepared to explore all that Sanya has to offer. From visa-free access to easy transportation, Sanya has made it simpler than ever for international travelers to discover its charms. We encourage you to start planning your Sanya adventure today – we look forward to seeing you soon!