An open-air shopping street in the city center

Jiefang Road Pedestrian Street is on Jiefang Second Road in Tianya District, near Jiefang Road and the Sanya Main Bus Station, and was Sanya's first commercial pedestrian street. The street consists of multi-story commercial buildings on both sides and an open-air pedestrian section between them; at the entrance stands a traditional archway (paifang) inscribed “Jiefang Road Pedestrian Street”. Turning in from the main Jiefang Road, the view narrows, with shops and pedestrians concentrated in this stretch.

Jiefang Road itself is a main thoroughfare running through central Sanya. It is 5,110 meters long and divided into four sections, Jiefang First Road through Jiefang Fourth Road. In 2014 the Jiefang Second Road section was rebuilt: the roadway was widened and an underpass and underground parking garage were built. In 2016 the stretch of Jiefang Road between Heping Road and Guangming Road had its facades renovated in qilou (arcade) style. The pedestrian street sits on this city axis, so walking here you see both the commercial density of the old city center and the arcade buildings, planting and leisure facilities added later.

Handicrafts, jewelry and shops that keep changing

In the 2013 photos, the street was lined with stalls of the “Hainan Tourism Handicrafts and Jewelry Street” kind, with bead bracelets, shells, carved ornaments and tourist souvenirs set out at the entrances. These photos record the business mix of that time only; they are not a list of today's shops. Shops still sell the same kinds of goods, but the stalls, brands and prices have all changed.

A May 2026 street guide from the Sanya Tourism Development Bureau describes the area as a core downtown shopping district focused on affordable luxury and leisure, with cafés, quiet bars and shops serving light meals along the street and tree-shaded arcade blocks; another walking article, from October 2025, mentions seeing handmade crafts there. The two descriptions are not contradictory: the street retains its tourist retail while adding places that encourage people to linger, and specific shops still change with leases and business decisions. Unlike the Haitang Bay duty-free complex, this is not an offshore duty-free shopping venue; what you buy here is small items and the experience of walking the street.

Stalls under a sign reading “Hainan Tourism Handicrafts and Jewelry Street”, with rows of handbags and souvenirs
Tourist handicraft stalls in the street, photographed in 2013; the photo records the business mix of that time and does not represent current shops. Huangdan2060 · Photo credits ↗

When to go and who it suits

The pedestrian street is open-air. Sanya's daytime sun is strong, and rain also affects walking; the more comfortable time is from early evening into the night, when the shops are lit and the entrance archway and street are easier to make out. Shops keep different hours, so do not assume a single mall-style closing time. If you want a particular brand or shop, check that shop's information for the day rather than relying only on an old guide. Walking the main street, seeing the archway and visiting a few shops takes about 1–2 hours; shopping or a meal takes longer.

This suits people staying in the city center who want to see everyday Sanya commerce along the way, and those buying small handicrafts or souvenirs, or stopping for a bite; it does not suit people whose goal is duty-free goods. Compared with Baihuagu in Yalong Bay, Jiefang Road is closer to local city life, with food and retail mixed between the street and the buildings; it is more an open block than a uniformly run duty-free mall. If you come specially from Haitang Bay or Yalong Bay, factor in the round-trip drive; it fits more naturally into a downtown itinerary that includes First Market and the Sanya River area.

Carved ornaments and craft jewelry displayed at a stall on the pedestrian street
Carved ornaments and craft jewelry at a stall, photographed in 2013; the goods and prices are as found on site. Huangdan2060 · Photo credits ↗

Useful official references

Check the relevant official service before making arrangements. These links are references, not a guarantee of current services.