Sanya Bay — Finale
Back where it all began: the coral village on West Island, the end of the world at Tianya Haijiao — and a customs border in the middle of China.
| Hotel | 2 nights Crowne Plaza Resort Sanya Bay, right on the bay |
| Light | The bay faces west — sunset approx. 17:58 on the doorstep |
| Excursions | West Island and Tianya Haijiao in one day |
| Airport | about 20 minutes by Didi |
What this section is about
The trip ends where it began: at Sanya Bay, with the palm promenade and sunset over the sea. But after four weeks on the island you see this bay with different eyes. Out in the water lies West Island with its four-hundred-year-old village of coral stone and the story of a women's militia. At the western end of the bay lies Tianya Haijiao, the place that for a thousand years stood for the end of the world.
And on the last day a topic awaits at the airport that sums up the whole trip: the new customs border that has separated Hainan from the rest of China since the end of 2025. It explains why this island looks so different — with its duty-free palaces, its medical special zone, its rockets and its ruins.
Getting around Sanya Bay
The hotel is right on the bay, a lot is within walking distance, and there's more going on here in the evening than in Yazhou Bay. Xiaoqi harbour, where the boats to West Island leave, and Tianya Haijiao are each only a quarter to half an hour away by Didi.
Bus route 125 runs west along the bay to Tianya. Route numbers changed in 2024, so check every connection in Amap on the day. The airport is only about twenty minutes away.
- Tianya Haijiao: admission has been free since 2023, but only with a real-name reservation — book beforehand via the official channel or ask the hotel.
- West Island: compare packages with boat and water sports on Trip.com, and ask on site about the last boats back.
- Allow extra time for departure if duty-free purchases have to be collected at the airport.
- Keep your duty-free receipts — the EU has its own allowances on entry.
Turquoise = blue hour · Gold = golden hour · Light = harsh midday light
Day by day
The old prefectural town 崖州古城: city gate, Confucius temple and quiet lanes — for many exiles this is where the world ended.
About 40 kilometres by Didi; the rest of the day is free.
On the doorstep, with West Island as a silhouette in the sea.
That's how people celebrate in China: you don't rent a table but a private room for singing, usually by the hour.
By boat from Xiaoqi harbour. First to the coral-stone village and the women's militia memorial hall, then to the water.
Ask about return times on site; don't wait for the last boat.
Four inscriptions from four eras, from the end of the world to the wedding photo. Free admission, reservation required.
Beach, sunset, a last seafood dinner.
Nothing planned.
About 20 minutes from Sanya Bay. Allow time for collecting duty-free purchases and the check at the “second line”.