During our stay in Sanya, we came across the Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park. Having done very little research, we weren’t quite sure about what to expect. To our surprise (and luck!) it offered a beautiful mountain hiking trail and coastal views of Hainan. You can also visit for the massive suspension bridge and the peak lookouts over Yalong Bay. This guide shares practical tips on timing and costs for your trip to help you plan.
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How to get to Yalong Bay Forest Park
Haikou to Yalong Bay Area
Since most people fly into Haikou, the most popular route to Yalong Bay in Sanya is via the high speed train from Haikou East Station (海口东站, hǎi kǒu dōng zhàn) or directly from Meilan Airport Station (美兰站, měi lán zhàn). Tickets for a second-class seat usually cost around 110 CNY (16 USD) and takes about 2 hours. We recommend you base yourself out of somewhere in Sanya like Houhai Bay to reduce travel time and make the most of your stay in Hainan.
Houhai Bay to Yalong Bay Forest Park
First, use a Didi for the 25km trip from Houhai Bay to the Forest Park. The drive takes about 40 minutes and costs 60 to 80 CNY. It is a reliable way to travel between these popular spots. We started our day here before heading to the mountain trails.
We traveled from Houhai Bay on the morning of our visit. You can read our Houhai Bay surfing guide for more trip ideas. Excellent options exist close to the park. Instead of moving, we stayed at our previous spot. If you look for a place to stay in the area, we loved this accommodation: Book your Sanya stay here. This stop was a highlight of our broader trip around Hainan.
- Distance: 25km
- Travel Time: 40 minutes
- Estimated Cost: 60 – 80rmb
- Booking: Use Didi mini-programs in Alipay or WeChat
Using Didi in Sanya: Costs and booking tips
Didi is the best way to navigate Sanya and Yalong Bay. Start by using the Alipay or WeChat mini-programs to book rides easily. A typical trip costs 60 to 80rmb for a 25km distance. The English interface on Alipay makes it very simple for international travelers to book rides.
You can use Didi through both WeChat and Alipay. Specifically, we use the Alipay interface. It is user friendly for English speakers. Both apps work well for booking rides. A Didi from Houhai Bay to Yalong Bay costs between 60-80 CNY. It is a more direct choice than local buses for families.
How to book Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park tickets
First, book your tickets on Trip.com for 32.41 AUD to skip the physical queues at the gate. The app issues tickets in seconds and provides a QR code for direct entry. This includes the park entry and the round-trip shuttle bus service required to reach the mountain peak area and lookouts.
Initially, we tried to buy tickets at the counter. Instead, using an app is a better way to handle entry. Next, we booked our Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise tickets through Trip.com at the gate for 32.41 AUD. The app issues tickets in two seconds. The QR codes allow immediate entry. This saved time and removed the language barrier. If you stay at the Yalong Bay Earthly Paradise Nest Resort, check if your room includes park entry.
| Ticket Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Price | 32.41 AUD |
| Issuance Speed | Average 2 seconds |
| Last Booking | 17:30 Local time |
| Entry Method | E-ticket scan |
| Inclusions | Entry and Round-trip Bus |
Hainan island hiking trails: Weather and humidity tips
Start your hike before 9 AM to avoid the extreme Hainan humidity. Then, follow the 2km Orchid Valley trail. This steep jungle climb feels much hotter than a typical Australian summer day. Wear light clothing and carry plenty of water to manage the intense tropical conditions on the trail.
Arrive before 9 AM to beat the heat on Hainan island hiking trails. The 2km path winds through dense jungle. Maintenance crews keep the trail in good condition. Consequently, the humidity makes the climb hard. You will feel a wet heat. It is different from dry summer days in Victoria. Sanya weather for Australian travelers is intense. We arrived at 10:30 AM. Even for Australians, the heat was strong. In Melbourne, you get dry heat and the smell of eucalyptus. Sanya is a drenched in sweat environment.
| Feature | Sanya Forest Park | Melbourne Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Type | Tropical Humidity | Arid Dry Heat |
| Environment | Lush Green Jungle | Eucalypt Bushland |
| Scent | Damp Earth | Eucalyptus |
Animal encounters and feeding ostriches in Sanya
Later, visit the bird area to feed ostriches and emus for 50rmb. It is a unique family activity located near the start of the hiking trails. Keep your hands flat when feeding the birds to avoid pecks. Similarly, this area features a shaded orchid garden perfect for a quick rest.
The bird area allows you to feed ostriches and emus in open pens for 50rmb. This price includes bird food. Then, you will find a quiet area with orchids after the bird section. It offers shade before you continue the hike. The birds were calm during our visit. Staff tied lyrebirds to specific spots for photos. Keep your palms flat when you feed the ostriches. They have no articulation. They peck at your hand. You might see children riding ostriches.
What is the Yalong Bay Forest Park coconut price
Expect to pay 15 RMB (2 USD) for a fresh coconut at the summit. While higher than the 10rmb city price, the cold water is essential after the 2km climb. Also, the rest area offers various snacks and tourist stalls for visitors reaching the mountain peak lookouts and villas.
The 2km climb ends at a rest area with food and drinks. Then, you pay more for supplies here than in the city. Look for the large dragon statue for photos. You will see tourist stalls selling snacks near the Hainan luxury forest villas. We stopped for a coconut at the rest area. The Yalong Bay summit coconut price was 15rmb. This is more than the 10rmb price on Sanya streets. The cold water is worth the cost after the humid
| Item | Summit Price | City Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Coconut | 15rmb | 10rmb |
| Bottled Water | 5rmb | 2rmb |
| Snacks | 15rmb plus | 8rmb |
Peak Views at the Yalong Bay Paradise Forest Park
The summit lookouts offer panoramic views of Yalong Bay and the surrounding coastline. Look for the massive dragon statue which is the main landmark at the peak. Note that there are restrictions on taking photos towards certain directions because the park neighbours a military base. Focus your camera on the ocean to follow local rules.
Check our complete Sanya itinerary for more travel tips.
Walking the Yalong Bay Forest Park suspension bridge
The suspension bridge is a major park attraction. You can walk across the canopy to see the Peacock Villas of the Yalong Bay Earthly Paradise Nest Resort built into the hillside. During the walk, we noticed cameras on the bridge. Then, the system records you to sell a souvenir video for 30rmb.
Initially, turnstiles at the entrance manage the large crowds. People visit to see the scale of the jungle bridge and the height of the forest. The bridge provides a unique perspective of the luxury resort villas. It is an iconic photo spot for anyone visiting Sanya.
Visiting the If You Are the One 2 movie location
The Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park is the primary filming location for the movie If You Are the One 2. Specifically, fans visit to see the room where the characters lived during their trial marriage. It is similar to the show Married at First Sight.
The luxury room from the TV show and movie attracts many local tourists. Consequently, the area is very popular. People line up to take the same photos seen on screen. Turnstiles limit the number of people inside to keep the area safe. The glass bridge was closed for maintenance when we were there. Closures happen for safety checks. Check Trip.com reviews before you go if this is your main goal.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Suspension Bridge | Dragon Crossing photo spot |
| Souvenir Video | 30rmb Automated |
| Movie Location | If You Are the One 2 villa |
| Glass Walkway | Check for maintenance |
Taking the shuttle bus back to the park entrance
Next, use the included shuttle bus to return from the peak to the park base. The ride is fast but the leg room in the small buses is very limited. It is an adventurous descent that saves you from hiking back down the mountain in the intense tropical heat.
Take a shuttle bus back to the bottom from the lookout area. The bus ride is part of your ticket. Then, it returns you to the park entrance. The bus ride down is an adventure. Leg room is very tight. This is hard if you are tall. It is a fast way to get back to the start without more hiking in the heat.
How to get to Sun Bay from Yalong Bay Forest Park
Finally, take a short Didi ride from the Forest Park exit to Sun Bay (Taiyangwan) for sunset. This beach is famous for professional photography sessions and golden hour views. It is a great way to end a day of hiking before returning to your Sanya accommodation via the Didi app.
Learn how to use Didi in Sanya to reach Sun Bay. The drive is short. Then, it gets you to the sand for sunset. Sun Bay sunset photography is popular. Expect professional photographers on the shore. We used a Didi to get to the beach easily. We used it again to get back to our accommodation at the end of the day.
Would you choose the humid jungle hike or the sunset beach session for your first day in Sanya?
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