Hainan Travel Diary: Days 3–4 of Food, Shopping & Ocean Breezes

Days 3 and 4 of our Sanya trip were designated as free days in the itinerary. While other travelers opted for optional tours to scenic spots like Binglang Village or Nanshan Cultural Park, my sister and I had one thing in mind: food and shopping. We decided to skip the add-ons and roam freely.

Day 3 – Markets, Souvenirs & Night Snacks

We kicked off the morning by revisiting Pineapple Mall and Summer Station Mall, two of Sanya’s most popular shopping complexes. We wanted to explore the local supermarket again — the shelves were filled with unfamiliar snacks, exotic seasonings, and quirky instant noodles. I picked up a few Chinese spices for cooking, while my sister couldn’t resist grabbing coconut coffee and cookies.

For lunch, we headed to the basement food court. I noticed something called "pineapple fried rice," but skipped it without knowing it was a local favorite. Big regret. After lunch, we returned for another round of shopping, this time hunting down cute character merch and souvenirs.

We also looked for a massage spot to rest our sore legs but were surprised at the steep prices — nearly 40,000 KRW (about $30) for a one-hour foot massage. Some places felt sketchy, so we passed. That evening, the plaza in front of our hotel hosted a small event. Stalls sold grilled pork skewers and noodles that looked too good to resist. We gave up on our convenience store ramen (which shockingly tasted like yogurt) and bought the street food instead. It turned out to be one of our best meals in Sanya.

Day 4 – Yalong Bay & Outlet Adventures

We started our day slowly, sleeping in and enjoying a full breakfast before relaxing at the hotel pool. Even though it was a bit chilly, the water was heated and perfect for a quick dip. Then, it was off to Yalong Bay — one of Sanya’s most famous beaches.

The weather was a little overcast, so the ocean view wasn’t as breathtaking as we’d hoped, but the tall coconut trees and long stretches of sand were still refreshing. My sister joked that it felt like Haeundae Beach in Korea. We walked barefoot on the beach for a while and built up an appetite.

Nearby, we found a restaurant serving "coconut chicken hotpot," known as Yezi Ji in Chinese. It’s a famous Hainanese dish where chicken is cooked in coconut water like a shabu-shabu. While I didn’t love the flavor, the coconut sticky rice and coconut shrimp were both incredible. Staff were friendly and explained how to eat it properly.

Our final stop was a Chinese outlet mall we had heard about online. Reviews were mixed — and now we know why. Many stores were closed or empty, and it didn’t live up to the hype. We still bought a shirt and a light jacket, but the overall vibe was quiet. Apparently, locals now prefer massive duty-free stores (CDF Mall), which explains the outlet’s decline.

The highlight? Watching the sun set over the ocean while sipping coconut coffee at the hotel’s Starbucks. Our dinner — once again — featured those delicious grilled skewers and noodle soup. When in Sanya, eat street food twice!

Traveler Notes

• Pineapple fried rice is a must-try — don’t skip it like I did!
• Local snacks and spices make great souvenirs.
• Massage prices in Sanya are higher than expected.
• Yalong Bay is relaxing, but go on a sunny day if you can.
• Street food in local plazas is cheap, tasty, and authentic.

Coming up next: Our last two days in Hainan — stay tuned!