Known as Yazhou in ancient times and situated at the south tip of Hainan Island, Sanya has been called the Edge of Heaven and Corner of Sea.

It is one of the four prefecture-level cities without districts designated in the country. With 19 large or small bays, Sanya is an important foreign trade port at the south tip of the coastline of southeast China. It is one of China’s gateways to the world.

In 2008, Sanya’s GDP totaled RMB 13.232 billion, with a per capita GDP of RMB 13,409. The population of permanent residents of Sanya amounts to 565,000.