Snap Selfies at Sanya's own 'Santorini Village'

By Vanessa Jencks, April 26, 2021

One of Sanya’s advertised destinations is Tianya Haijiao, a developed beach park in between Sanya’s central location and Nanshan Temple, a large Buddhist complex known for the world's tallest statue of Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.

Tianya Haijiao is centered around large dark rocks associated with Chinese folktales and bustling with activities providers. Tianya literally translates a “faraway place” or “sky meets the earth” kind of like the English expression the end of the earth.

Image via Dianping

One folktale surrounding these rocks include doomed eternal and faithful love, a seemingly popular theme in Hainan culture. Another folktale surrounds fairy maidens who tried to save fisherman but were scorned by the gods for helping mortal men.

Due to the picturesque views and good luck from the folktales, this park can become quite the tourist trap during high season. At this moment before more development eases the crowds and makes the area more accessible to English speakers, we suggest you steer clear during peak seasons unless you have a heritage relationship to the park.

We do however recommend the nearby cute Maling Community for its ample Instagram opportunities. This community is also called Tianya Town after the nearby park, but for search purposes on other Chinese apps, Maling Shequ is much more specific for finding the area. This fishing village was built and renovated under the inspiration of Santorini. The contrast between the blue and white on the buildings and the accompanying graffiti makes for really cute pictures.

Below we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite posts across the social media stratosphere so you can see with your own eyes why this could make a fun stop on your way to visit Nanshan Temple or Tianya Haijiao.

Lonely Tricycle

Image via @gretapesce/Instagram

No Filter Street Sign

Image via 小新吃青椒/Dianping

Well...

Image via 小旅兔/Dianping

Melting

Image via Guaiiiii/Dianping

This Way

Image via @gretapesce/Instagram

Time to Go

Image via @huizhaojun/Instagram

Thinking

Image via elfreda佳/Dianping

Snapshots

Image via @mss.pibody/Instagram

Down the Road

Image via 小旅兔/Dianping

Map It Out

Image via @allafang/Instagram

[Cover Image via 小新吃青椒/ dianping]

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