Tianya Bay and its three inscriptions
Tianya Haijiao lies at the foot of Maling Mountain in Tianya District, southwest of downtown Sanya, with the mountain behind it and the South China Sea in front. The scenic area covers 10.4 square kilometers of land and 6 square kilometers of sea. It opened to visitors in 1984 and is now a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Inside the gate, an open bay and rows of coconut palms come into view first. The inscriptions are spread among the beach and reef rocks, so this is not a place to photograph only at the entrance.
The two characters 'Tianya' (edge of the sky) were carved by Cheng Zhe, magistrate of Yazhou, during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing dynasty (1727). 'Haijiao' (corner of the sea) was written by Wang Yi in the Republican era on an adjacent boulder. In 1961, Guo Moruo added 'Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area' on another side of the Tianya rock. The three inscriptions are not on the same stone; following the on-site signs along the beach to see each in turn explains this history better than queuing for one photo spot.
How to read the boulders on the beach
The most prominent boulders on the beach each have a name. Tianya Rock and Haijiao Rock stand next to each other, one behind the other; Nantian Yizhu (Pillar of the Southern Sky) is a separate cone-shaped boulder whose four characters face the sea, and it is easier to make them out up close at low tide. Waves and wind-blown sand have polished the stone to a shine, and at midday the glare is strong enough to overexpose photographs. The sand is rather coarse and yellow, and it feels rough underfoot after a while, so bring sandals.
A seaside walkway runs from the main gate to the inscriptions. The ticket windows also sell shuttle tickets, which shorten the walk if you are with older people or children. If you want to see all the main rocks without waiting in the crowd for an empty shot, allow about two to three hours; this estimate assumes walking and taking photos, and queues are longer in peak season.
Sea breeze, shade and Tianya Bookstore
Tianya Bay opens wide, with waves rolling onto the beach in layers and the water near shore a pale green. Behind the beach are coconut groves and shops where you can rest, and when the heat builds you can step into the shade. Tianya Bookstore, which opened in 2021, combines a bookshop, coffee and handmade goods, and is one of the few indoor places to stop in the scenic area. Sun exposure by the sea is stronger than in the city, and there is little shade near the inscriptions, so do not leave your hat and sunscreen in the car.
This suits first-time visitors to Sanya who want to see coastal inscriptions and a city landmark, and also suits a slow walk with parents. If diving or water sports are your main goal, Tianya Haijiao is not the best stop. The scenic area offers wedding services, and popular photo spots sometimes mean waiting for a shoot to finish; for somewhere quieter, walk a few minutes toward either end of the beach.
Free admission, reservations and opening hours
Since June 1, 2023, Tianya Haijiao has charged no admission fee. Visitors still need to obtain a zero-yuan ticket first: search for 'Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area' on WeChat, Meituan or Alipay and tap the '0 yuan ticket' option to reserve, or use the scenic area's mini-program. Then collect a QR code ticket at windows 2–10 in the ticket hall and enter through the individual visitor lane with your own ID card or another valid document. This is the procedure as checked on November 12, 2026.
Opening hours change with the season: 8:00–18:30 from March 1 to September 30, and 8:00–18:00 from October 1 to the end of February. The scenic area is at the foot of Maling Mountain in Tianya Town, Tianya District, Sanya, Hainan. The inquiry phone number is 0898-88910131. The official website's overview lists opening hours but not the last entry time, so do not cut your arrival close to closing.
Useful official references
Check the relevant official service before making arrangements. These links are references, not a guarantee of current services.
