Sanya, the only tropical city in China, is a famous coastal tourist city filled with tropical landscapes and local customs. Because it is situated in the southernmost part of China, it has been called "the remotest cape of the earth" since ancient time. But now as an important political, economic, cultural and foreign trade port, Sanya is thought to be a paradise of resort and the oriental Hawaii. It has lots to offer such as sandy beaches, blue sky, white clouds, clear water, green mountains, spectacular vistas, water sports, delicious food, tropical fruits and interesting minorities' festivals.

The city is ringed by continuous and rugged mountains on three sides. Seen from the sea, the mountains serve as a green protective screen that highlight the enchantment of Sanya city, as well as providing scenic overlooks out onto the vast sea, river, bay and city scenes. Facing the South Sea, there are a multitude of bays, each endowed with wonderful scenery.

The tropical city offers a totally different sunny aspect in winter, compared with the northern chills. For many visitors to Sanya, this destination is indeed something of an escape from reality -- a holiday from monotonous lives.

Sanya is noted for the sea and the sand. Here you can enjoy a unique tropical oceanic landscape that is totally different from the other provinces of China. Sanya Bay, Yalong Bay and Dadonghai, all golden seaboards of Sanya, are some of the first choices for visitors to spend their holidays. Odd rocks stand firm under the azure sky and coconut trees dance in the wind near the blue sea. Instead of a busy and exhausting journey, you can totally relax here by strolling along the beaches and breathing the fresh air.

Sanya has some of the most beautiful and well-maintained stretches of sandy beaches not just in China but in southern Asia. The sand here is white, palm trees provide shelter from the sun and the sea is wonderfully blue and warm.

Among scenic resorts mentioned above, Yalong Bay National Resort is Sanya's premier destination for fun. It is really a picture-postcard paradise. The east, north, west sides go around a mountain of Yalong Bay.

The buses on the curling roads wind around Sanya's eastern coastline, offering views of densely forested mountainsides and wide pasturelands planted with rice. A large, inviting sign at the turnoff reads "Yalong Bay National Resort". In this area, there is the amazing and colorful underwater world and coral gardens with hundreds of colorful species of underwater life, small elegant islets boasting aquatic tours, diverse beach entertainments and even simple rows of large sun umbrellas for rent for you to lie down and look out at the sea.

Two other famous scenic spots have beautiful names of "the End of the Earth" (Tian Ya Hai Jiao) and "The Deer Turns its Head" (Lu Hui Tou).

The name of the End of the Earth actually does not refer to its geographical location, but came from a historical tragedy. Here, near the deep blue sea, one can look out onto the vast South China Sea, with its mighty waves and ships on their distant voyages, and the white sea gulls that dot the sky.

On one of the huge stones on the beach, there inscribed two Chinese words "Tian Ya" (meaning the edge of the sky). On another huge stone behind it, there inscribed two other Chinese words "Hai Jiao" (meaning the utmost end of the sea). In the past, Chinese people believed that here was the furthermost part of the sky and the earth.

"The Deer Turns its Head" is the name of the beautiful summit park. The name originated from a romantic fable about the mountain sculpture. It is said that a young hunter of the Li nationality traced after a deer from the mountain to the cliff where this park is now located. The deer turned its head and changed into a beautiful girl. Strolling on the beach, one can often see the "The Deer Turns its Head" through a light mist, as if the city were exhaling a long sigh. The park is situated on a hill above Sanya, so it offers you a superb view over the city, the harbor, the mountains and the different beaches.

Tasting the local dishes is a must on your journey. Sanya never shirks from its efforts to entertain its guests with a variety of seafood and delicious tropical fruits all year round. The star-rated hotels and a number of roadside booths serve the freshest seafood.

In Sanya you could spend a few days to a week or so, soaking up the sun, relax and just enjoy the unique and refreshing surroundings. Just imagine that you are lying on the soft beach under the beautiful sunshine or that you are walking through the coconut plantation under the blue sky. How wonderful everything will be!

Then remember this eternal paradise--Sanya.

(CRI December 18, 2008)