Banyan Tree Sanya, China . Destination Guide
Destination Guide
China has a little of everything for everyone, from rugged mountains, to bustling metropolises. Tucked away, on its southern-most tip, is a gem of an island called Hainan - or sometimes dubbed the Oriental Hawaii. At its coordinates of 20 degrees north of the equator, Hainan island is a prized latitudal combination of sunny beaches, coral reefs, balmy climate and hilly landscape, which is not experienced anywhere else in China. This is the setting for tropical Banyan Tree Sanya, worlds apart yet just one hour's flight from Hong Kong.
This erstwhile little-known beach mecca has been in the international spotlight in recent years for hosting world class events such as the Miss World pageants. It is little wonder that Sanya has been the choice venue for such high profile events. Vast stretches of scenic coastlines are accompanied by beautiful natural beaches, fresh sea breezes and clear waters, making water-sports like diving and snorkelling very popular. The long warm days and mild winters also make Sanya an idyllic spot for weary travelers who want to recuperate from the more exhausting aspects of travel in China.
Take a day trip to one of the largest cultural tourist attractions of its kind in China, the colorful Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Zone located just 40 kilometers west of Sanya City. There are three separate parks within Nanshan: Nanshan Buddhism Culture Park is a window on China's traditional Buddhism culture; The Felicity and Longevity Culture Park reflects an atmosphere of peace, harmony and long life; and the Nanshan Cultural Park highlights China's diverse social customs. The key feature of the zone is the three-faced statue of Guan Yin Buddha, standing out in the South China Sea, on a man-made island.
Located about 20 km west of Sanya City and rising over the beach is an ancient rock formation inscribed with Chinese characters meaning "The Edge of the Sky" written by Chengzhe, the chief magistrate of Yazhou Prefecture in the Qing Dynasty. This rock is so famous that it is even featured in the back of the 2 RMB bank note. During the Tang Dynasty, emperors used to banish rebel officers to Sanya, which became known as the "End of the Earth" due to its remoteness in relation to the nation's capital.
Another scenic spot is the Lover's Hill in Sanya Luhuitou Park. Opened in 1989, the park is located in the Luhuitou Peninsula in the southwest of Sanya and covers almost 82 hectares with the highest elevation reaching a height of 181 meters. The park is marked by a large stone sculpture depicting a deer with its head turned around. A romantic folktale lies behind how the park got its name and it is rumoured that couples who have a picture taken with the sculpture will be blessed. The hilltop park is noted for being an excellent place to get a bird's eye view of the sea and downtown Sanya, as well as to savour the sun rising and setting over the city.
