Sanya is renowned for its wonderful sunshine, white sandy beaches, fresh air, and clear water. As the climate is tropical all year round, it is one of the most popular diving destinations in the world and one of the most important destinations for golf tournaments and business conventions in China. Sanya has been transformed from a spot that no one wanted to visit into one of China's hottest destinations. It is also a transportation and communications center, as well as one of China's most important foreign trade ports in the southeast. Sanya is situated on the southernmost tip of Hainan Province on almost the same latitude as Hawaii, so it is often called the Hawaii of China or the Hawaii of the Orient.

Tourist attractions offer visitors a variety of opportunities that range from pure fun on the beach to a learning experience in traditional Chinese culture. Some of Sanya's most impressive attractions include the Yalong Bay National Holiday Resort, the Dadonghai Tourism Zone, Tianya Haijiao, Luhuitou Park, the Nanshan Cultural and Tourism Zone, the marvelous landscape of mountains and sea at Nanshan, Wuzhizhou Island, the Ancient City of Yazhou, Shuinan Village, Luobidong Cavern, and the Muslim tombs built in the Tang and Song dynasties.