Beach holiday in Sanya

(Beijing Today)
Updated: 2007-03-23 11:34

Sanya Blue Sky International Youth Hostel

Range: No-star youth hostel

Alternatively, take the No 202 bus from Sanya center or the bus station and get off at the Summer Mall stop. Head back 40m to Haiyun Road and turn left, then follow the road another 60m.

The hostel also offers a taxi pick-up service at Sanya Phoenix Airport. The cost is 50 yuan per taxi. Call in advance or email to make the arrangement - especially if you will arrive after 6pm."When we stayed here, several other guests who had been traveling independently through China rated the Blu Sky as the best hostel in the country. In a place as big as China, that is a big call. But it's hard to disagree.The owner of the hostel sets the tone with regular events, including a great value weekly DIY seafood barbecue, and make-your-own dumplings sessions ...

The hostel organizes beautiful tours in or around Sanya - all friendly and cheap. You can relax at an extremely cheap body or foot massage, for only 15 yuan per hour. If you want to learn more about the local minorities, a Li and Miao minority village package should satisfy your curiosity. If you are a restless traveler and would like to exercise, you can go scuba diving and snorkeling, climb Nanshan and Tianyahaijiao, tour the nearby Monkey Island or hike in the rain forest. No matter what you do during the daytime, head to Nan Tian Hot Spring at nightfall to relax your bones and muscles after a day of activity."

Address: 20 Haiyun Road, Dadonghai District, Sanya
Get there: A taxi from the bus station to the hostel sets you back 10 yuan for 3km. The 25km from the Sanya Phoenix Airport to the hostel costs 50 yuan. Call the hostel if the driver can't find it.
Tel: +86- 898-8818 2320

Email:sy-youthhostel@163.com

The sky is ugly. The sandstorms are on their way. No matter how you slice it, Beijing's pre-spring season leaves much to be desired. For a beach holida, Sanya is the best choice to fill that craving for warmer surroundings.

Located on the southern edge of Hainan Island, the city has four main parts: Yalong Bay, Dadonghai Beach, Downtown Sanya and Sanya Bay. However, prepping for a holiday there requires more than just picking which hotel to stay in.

Sanya's beaches are divided up by activities. Besides the basic sea, sun and sandy beach, the city also offers golf, scba diving, hot springs, a hike in the rain forest, sailing and fishing, rafting, spa treatments, shopping, night life and great venues for sampling the local seafood.

Beijing Today covers five of the best hotels for these activities. The list includes one of the most luxurious five-star hotels, two cozy three-stars and a couple of no-star hostels for the younger travel crowd.