Tianya Haijiao 天涯海角游览区

Tianya Haijiao, often rendered as The End of the Earth, is a national AAAAA scenic area about 23 kilometres southwest of Sanya's city area. It covers 10.4 square kilometres of land and six square kilometres of sea, with Maling Mountain behind it and the open ocean in front. Its draw is a mix of tropical coastal scenery, a long cultural story and local ethnic character, and it has become a signature image for Sanya and Hainan.

The name began as a way for travellers to voice the ache of being far from home. Over centuries it gathered deeper cultural meaning, echoed in classical verse. The coastal rocks carry that history: three imperial astronomers carved Haipan Nantian here in 1714; Cheng Zhe added Tianya in 1727; Wang Yi wrote Haijiao during the Republican anti-Japanese years; and Guo Moruo inscribed the scenic area's name in 1961. Nearby stands Nantian Yizhu, a towering rock that later appeared on the back of the 1990 two-yuan note.

Today the site blends this heritage with a modern, romantic mood. A scenic rail line linking Sanya and Ledong stops here, and visitors can find water sports, campgrounds and other activities. Events have included Olympic torch relay celebrations, and the international wedding festival and model contest add to its contemporary appeal.

Don't miss

• Haipan Nantian stone from the 1714 imperial survey
• Tianya and Haijiao inscriptions on coastal boulders
• Nantian Yizhu, the towering rock by the sea
• The 1990 two-yuan note's Nantian Yizhu view
• Water sports, campgrounds and scenic rail access

Visiting tips

The site is in Tianya District, southwest of Sanya. Local buses 6, 16, 24, 25, 26 and 29 serve the area, and the new scenic rail line between Sanya and Ledong stops here. Use the official website for current visitor information.