Tianya Haijiao: Where Legends Meet the Sea
Location & Significance
Located 23km southwest of Sanya, this 16.4km² national AAAAA site (upgraded in 2024) merges dramatic coastal geology with 300+ years of Han Chinese and Li cultural history. Its name derives from Qing Dynasty inscriptions by officials and poets who likened its remoteness to "the ends of the earth."
Iconic Landmarks
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Tianya & Haijiao Rocks
- Tianya Stone: A 10.8m-tall boulder inscribed in 1727 by Cheng Zhe, a Qing magistrate, symbolizing resilience. Its rounded shape contrasts with the jagged Haijiao Stone (20m tall), carved in 1939 by anti-Japanese general Wang Yi.
- Romance Legend: Folklore tells of star-crossed lovers turned to stone here, inspiring vows like "Follow you to Tianya Haijiao, love you till seas run dry.".
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Southern Sky Pillar (Nantian Yizhu)
- This 7m pillar, featured on China’s 1980 ¥2 banknote, was engraved in 1909 by Fan Yunti to represent Hainan’s role as "a pillar of the nation".
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Sun-Moon Stones
- Twin heart-shaped offshore rocks linked to a Tang Dynasty tale of exiled lovers. A prime spot for sunrise proposals.
Cultural Layers
- Exile History: A Ming-Qing penal colony for dissidents, later romanticized by poets like Su Shi ("Under the sky’s edge, we share this moon").
- Survey Legacy: The 1714 "Hai Pan Nantian" rock marks China’s southernmost imperial cartographic point.
Experiences
- Love Rituals: Couples tie red ribbons at the Wedding Square, while annual International Nuptial Festivals draw 10,000+ pairs.
- Adventure: Jet-ski tours around the rocks (¥150/person) or Li minority dance performances at Tianya Cultural Village.
Visitor Tips
- Best Time: November–April (25°C avg; avoid summer typhoons).
- Free Entry: Since 2023, but pay ¥25 for shuttle trams across the vast site.
- Hidden Gem: The Reef Tide Pools at low tide reveal sea cucumbers and neon fish.
Awards & Pop Culture
- Named China’s "Most Romantic Spot" by CCTV (2024).
- Featured in films like "If You Are the One 2" and the 1982 hit song "Please Come to Tianya Haijiao.".
Tianya Haijiao isn’t just scenery—it’s a living anthology of China’s maritime dreams, where every rock whispers a saga of love, exile, or defiance.
