72 hours in Sanya (2)

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By Jiang Xinhua (Shanghai Daily) 09:03, September 22, 2013

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Day 1 Snorkeling in sea

11:30am

After the three-hour plane ride from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Sanya Phoenix International Airport, you are welcomed by salty breezes. It’s time for some thrilling sea sports.

Wuzhizhou Island, located off the coast of Hainan, is a great place for recreational sea sports such as riding on Jet Skis, parasailing, paragliding, snorkeling, scuba diving and riding in a glass-bottomed boat. The water in Wuzhizhou Island is so clear that you can see down as far as two dozen meters to look at well-preserved coral reefs and colorful tropical fish.

After a quick meal of grilled seafood with some funky tropical music, let’s go snorkeling. While scuba diving requires professional training and complicated equipment, snorkeling is easy. After the boat takes you to a good area, you’ll be given some training and put on a pair of swim goggles, a snorkel and a pair of flippers. You may bring a pair of protective gloves and wear surfing shoes to prevent injury from creatures with sharp bodies or stingers.

Listen to the directions carefully and do a warm- up before going in. You will be accompanied by a coach and follow his instructions. Remember the conservation rules since fragile organisms such as coral are easily damaged. A soft touch can cause decades worth of growth to be undone. Some snorkelers may feel ear pain or a headache when they go below the surface. This is caused by increased pressure underwater. You can equalize the pressure by holding your nose shut and lightly blowing. But don’t ignore such pain and signal your coach if you have trouble. If you got lost, float on the water and look for bubbles to locate others. Use of a dive flag is recommended, but also keep your hands over your head when exiting the water in case watercraft are nearby.

Yalong Bay is concerned by some as one of the best beaches in China. Other top spots include Dadonghai for swimming, West Island for fishing, Haitang Bay for hot springs, and Boundary Island and Queen islands, which are less popular but also very well preserved and attractive.

Day 1 Sun and the Spa

4pm

Besides snorkeling, there are many other sea sports. You can float in the air wearing a parachute, rising up to 20 meters while being towed behind a boat. You can also experience the joy of jumping around on water skis.

Ride on a banana boat at 50 kilometers per hour, pulled by a motorboat. For family fun, choose a semi-submerged sightseeing trip to see underwater creatures through a glass-bottomed boat.

5pm

After water activities and long exposure to the sun, a spa treatment to fully recover before the dinner is a must. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Sanya in Coral Bay is born out of an understanding and passion for wellness that focuses on physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

Nestled in a tranquil tropical garden, the spa suites allow guests to embrace relaxation and rejuvenation whether as a couple or in solitude.

The expert practitioners will have an in-depth consultation with you before to ensure that all of your needs are met and that the treatment provided is adapted to these needs.

The signature Quintessence oil blended with warming ginger, uplifting mandarin and sacred frankincense all come together to realign the mind and emotions.

7pm

Refreshed after a relaxing treatment, let’s go for dinner. If you feel exhausted after one day’s activity and want to save energy for tomorrow’s hiking, you can choose the Sunset Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, Sanya, where you can view the sun set in Coral Bay and enjoy enticing cocktails and a refreshing choice of juices and smoothies. Or you can go to the contemporary beach front Noodle Bar, serving a sumptuous selection of the freshest Asian noodles.

If you are still full of energy, you can go to the First Market — the biggest and most popular seafood market in downtown Sanya.

Those who want a drink with their seafood feast should try the local rice wine made from Shanlan rice, which is a rare kind of rice grown in paddies in the mountains. As an authentic beverage of the Li minority group, it is brewed in a traditional way.

For those who abstain from alcohol, the coconut milk tonic that includes green beans, jujube, diced bits of pineapple, melon and mango is definitely a refreshing drink.