Tianya Haijiao, located at the tip of a cape between Sanya Bay and Hongtang Bay, covers an area of 16.4 square kilometers. The site is named after two large boulders inscribed with the characters “天涯 Tianya” (meaning “the end of the sky”) and “海角 Haijiao” (meaning “the edge of the sea”), along with the inscription “天涯海角游览区 Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area” by the renowned poet Guo Moruo. These boulders are iconic symbols of love and one of Sanya’s most famous landmarks.
The area has historical significance, featuring the stone carving “海判南天 Hai Pan Nan Tian,” created in the 53rd year of the Kangxi Emperor’s reign (1714). This was commissioned by three imperial envoys who surveyed the region for the Qing Dynasty’s maps. In 1727, the local governor Cheng Zhe inscribed the word “天涯 Tianya” on the giant seaside rock. In 1909, Governor Fan Yunti added “南天一柱 Nan Tian Yi Zhu” (the Southern Pillar of Heaven). During the War of Resistance, General Wang Yi of the Nationalist forces inscribed “海角 Haijiao” on a neighboring boulder, giving tangible form to the romantic notions expressed in many ancient Chinese poems.
Legend has it that tens of thousands of years ago, the Tianya and Haijiao tribes were represented by a pair of childhood sweethearts. A sudden disaster caused the loss of much of their civilization. As the Haijiao girl followed the survivors south, she fell into a deep slumber due to lovesickness. A young man from the Tianya tribe, in exchange for a price, cured her but bound her to his tribe. Although the Haijiao girl married him, her tragic fate touched his heart, yet he could not break the spell.
On her wedding night, the Haijiao girl escaped, prompting the tribe leader to cast a more severe curse: anyone who embraced her would turn to stone. After enduring countless hardships, the Haijiao girl finally reunited with her true love, Tianya Lang. Their joyous moment led to their transformation into stones, forever watching over the vast ocean together.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 19.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0898-88910131 |
Location and Transportation
Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area is located 23 kilometers southwest of Sanya City, Hainan Province, situated on a cape between Sanya Bay and Hongtang Bay. To get there, you can take bus 5, 16, 30, 55, 116, 125, 157, 232, 339, or 345 and get off at Tianya Haijiao Stop (天涯海角站).
