The Second Stop at the Asian Beach Games: Vibrancy and Everyday Life at Sanya Bay

Sanya Bay is the beating heart of the city’s daily life, intimately woven into the fabric of its people’s existence. Here, the 22‑kilometre-long Sanya Bay Road serves as a major urban artery; the endless beach witnesses the rhythm of mornings and evenings; the Coconut Dream Corridor offers shade from countless summer afternoons; and Phoenix Island, an international cruise homeport, rises gracefully from the turquoise waters, welcoming visitors from across the globe. To the sound of the South China Sea’s waves, Sanya has grown, transformed, blossomed and flourished along this bay. In the spring of 2026, this coastline will greet the Asian Beach Games with an even more open, energetic and diverse spirit.

 

The Bay’s Asian Beach Games Moment

Sanya Bay — the “City’s Living Room” for the 2026 Asian Beach Games — has turned its 22‑kilometre shoreline into a competitive stage drawing the eyes of Asia. Fourteen major events, including sailing, beach volleyball and beach athletics, will unfold between sea and sky. Eleven competition venues are strung along the bay, six of them seamlessly integrated into the famous Coconut Dream Corridor. Most notably, the Games adhere to a “green hosting” principle: venues are temporary or upgraded existing structures, and equipment will be reused in community sports after the Games — truly “benefiting the local people”. Here, you can watch top‑tier competitions, and even try your hand at upgraded water activities like jet skis, parasailing and sailing, experiencing the vibrant “tourism + sports” spirit of the Asian Beach Games.

 

 

Exploring the Surroundings of Sanya Bay

Coconut Dream Corridor
Stretching 20 kilometres, this “Number One Avenue in Asia” is like an emerald ribbon hugging the bay. It offers Sanya’s most famous sunset views. In the late afternoon, the setting sun dyes the sea a rich orange‑red, while fishermen returning with their catch sing as they haul their nets. Strolling along the dappled pathway, every snapshot feels like a cinematic frame of island life.

 

 

Phoenix Island
Rising from the heart of the bay, Phoenix Island is Sanya’s iconic international cruise homeport. Five shell‑like, fluidly designed buildings shimmer against the blue waters, welcoming guests from all corners of the world. This is the best place to appreciate Sanya’s global image as the “City’s Living Room” — a remarkable juncture where the Maritime Silk Road meets modern life.

 

 

Haipo Resort Area
This area is home to a dense cluster of luxury hotels and high‑quality boutique guesthouses, complemented by well‑appointed seawater bathing beaches. Compared to other bays, Haipo offers excellent value for a holiday, with coconut groves and sand right at your doorstep. Order a coconut water on your balcony and watch athletes sail across the sea — that is the quintessential leisurely afternoon of Sanya Bay.

 

 

Sanya one
As a new landmark of coastal commerce, Sanya one gathers cutting‑edge fashion brands. Step away from the intense competition venues into this modern shopping centre, and let the dazzling array of trendy products shift your mood. Here, the international pulse of fashion finds a curious harmony with the ancient sound of the waves.

 

 

Where to Eat

After exploring the Coconut Dream Corridor, Sanya Bay’s rich culinary layers will satisfy every craving.

Seafood Food Stalls along the Bay
Scattered along Sanya Bay Road, these authentic stalls prepare freshly caught seafood on the spot. Enjoying a plump mantis shrimp with sea breeze in your hair — this is the right way to live by the coast.

Waimao Road Food Street
This is Sanya’s local late‑night canteen. From tender white‑cut Wenchang chicken to soft, fragrant coconut rice, it brings together flavours from across China, satisfying the most discerning palate.

 

 

Practical Tips

Time needed: Plan 3–5 hours. Cycling the Coconut Dream Corridor and watching the sunset is the highlight.

Getting there: Buses 206 and 8 connect major sights. The new national‑standard sightseeing bus runs from Yalong Bay every 30 minutes. From Phoenix Airport, driving to the bay’s core area takes about 10 minutes.