China’s transport system in 2026 is convenient and cheap — but it follows its own rules, and almost everything you are used to at home does not work here. Google Maps shows China with shifted coordinates and without public transport routes, Uber left the Chinese market back in 2016, and Russian taxi apps (Yandex Go, Maxim) do not function in the PRC. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards — both Russian and those issued in other countries — are not accepted in Chinese payment terminals, ticket machines and apps.
Everything works through two super-platforms — Alipay (支付宝) and WeChat (微信). Inside them live mini-apps for taxis, buses, bike rental and buying train tickets. You can link to Alipay and WeChat a card of the international payment system UnionPay issued by a Russian bank (such cards are offered by Gazprombank, Rosselkhozbank, Primsotsbank, Solidarnost bank and a number of others — check the current list before the trip), or top up the built-in wallet. The third working option, always and everywhere, is cash yuan: they are accepted in taxis, buses and ticket offices, although there may be no change for a large note.
The main rule of preparation: install and set up everything in Russia. China has a traffic filtering system (colloquially the “Great Firewall”), because of which downloading the app you need from a store, receiving a confirmation SMS code or activating a payment link on the spot turns into a separate quest. Before the flight: install Alipay and WeChat, complete passport verification, link a UnionPay card, install Amap for navigation and Trip.com for train tickets, and test the setup with a small payment.
This guide covers how to use taxis through DiDi and how much it costs in yuan and rubles, how to pay for buses and high-speed trains, what to do about renting a car and a scooter (spoiler: international licenses are invalid in China), and which navigation apps really work.
Taxis in Sanya: how to call one, how much it costs and how not to be cheated
The DiDi app (滴滴出行) — the tourist’s main tool
DiDi Chuxing (滴滴出行) is the Chinese analogue of Yandex.Taxi, the country’s No. 1 aggregator. For a tourist it is the main way of getting around Sanya: the price is known in advance, the app plots the route, and there is no need to haggle or explain the way.
How to install and set up (do this in Russia):
- The most reliable path is the mini-app inside Alipay or WeChat. In Alipay’s search bar enter “滴滴出行” or “DiDi”, open the mini-program — no registration is needed, the account and payment are taken from Alipay. The same method works in WeChat (the “Wallet” section → “Taxi” / search “滴滴”).
- A separate DiDi Rider app (the international version) is available in the App Store and Google Play — install it at home while Google services work. Registration is by phone number (a Russian one will do).
- Switching the language to English: in the DiDi app — “Settings” (profile icon → gear) → “Language” → “English”. In the mini-program inside Alipay the interface is partly English right away and partly in Chinese; Alipay’s built-in translation helps (the “Translate” button on the screen).
- Payment: link a UnionPay card (Payment Methods → Add Card) or pay from the Alipay/WeChat balance. You cannot pay cash in DiDi by default — payment is debited automatically; some drivers agree to cash, but you shouldn’t count on it.
How to order: specify the pickup point (the app determines it by GPS — check that it is correct) and the destination address (you can choose from a list of attractions or enter it in English/Chinese). The app will show the price and the pickup time. After ordering you can see the car number, the driver’s name and his movement on the map.
DiDi rate types
| Rate | Characters | What it is | When to take it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express | 快车 (kuàichē) | An ordinary economy-class car, the most popular rate | Everyday trips, the best price/speed ratio |
| Select / Premier | 优享 / 专车 (yōuxiǎng / zhuānchē) | A car of a higher class, cleaner, a more experienced driver | A trip to the airport with luggage, an important meeting |
| Luxe | 豪华车 (háohuáchē) | A premium car (Mercedes, Audi, BMW) | A special occasion, rarely needed by a tourist |
| Carpool | 拼车 (pīnchē) | With fellow passengers, cheaper but slower | Saving on a solo trip without hurry |
| Taxi | 出租车 (chūzūchē) | An ordinary city taxi called through DiDi, by the meter | When there are few Express cars (night, rain) |
At peak demand (rain, a weekend evening, the end of Chinese holidays) a surge multiplier applies — the app honestly shows it in the price before confirmation.
Hailing on the street
The reality of 2026: catching a street taxi “by hand” in Sanya has become hard — drivers work on orders from the app and often do not stop. If a car does stop:
- Make sure the meter is on. The key word is 打表 (dǎ biǎo), “turn on the meter”; the phrase “请打表” (qǐng dǎ biǎo) means “by the meter, please”. Most drivers also understand the English “meter”.
- If the driver names a fixed price “without the meter” — it is almost always 1.5–3 times more expensive than the real fare. Politely decline and call DiDi.
- At the airport, the station and tourist spots there are touts — they offer a “transfer” for cash at an inflated price. Ignore them, go to the official taxi rank or order through the app.
Taxi prices in Sanya (2026)
The Sanya city taxi fare: the flag-fall (the first 2 km) is about 10–13 ¥, then ~2.5–3 ¥/km, at night (23:00–06:00) a surcharge of ~20–30%. Calculated at 1 ¥ ≈ 13 ₽ (the rate floats).
| Route | By day, ¥ (₽) | At night, ¥ (₽) |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Airport (SYX) → Sanya Bay | 30–50 (390–650) | 40–65 (520–850) |
| Phoenix Airport → Dadonghai | 55–75 (720–975) | 70–95 (910–1235) |
| Phoenix Airport → Yalong Bay | 90–120 (1170–1560) | 115–150 (1500–1950) |
| Phoenix Airport → Haitang Bay | 130–170 (1690–2210) | 160–210 (2080–2730) |
| Dadonghai → center (First Market, the duty-free quarter) | 15–25 (195–325) | 20–35 (260–455) |
| Dadonghai → Yalong Bay | 60–85 (780–1105) | 75–105 (975–1365) |
| Sanya Bay → Dadonghai | 25–40 (325–520) | 35–55 (455–715) |
| Yalong Bay → Haitang Bay | 70–100 (910–1300) | 90–130 (1170–1690) |
| Sanya → the Nantian hot springs | 120–160 (1560–2080) | 150–200 (1950–2600) |
Prices are approximate, by the meter/app; in high season (December–February, Chinese holidays) and in rain they are higher because of the demand multiplier.
Dealing with the driver
The language barrier in Sanya taxis is the norm: the driver almost certainly does not know English. What helps:
- WeChat’s built-in translator: in a chat tap “+” → “Translate”, or long-press a message — “Translate”. Type a phrase in Russian and show the screen to the driver.
- Baidu Translate (百度翻译) — translates everyday and address wording into Chinese more accurately than universal translators; works offline with a downloaded language pack.
- Save the address in characters in advance. The driver may not recognize the hotel name in English — show the Chinese spelling (it is in the booking confirmation on Trip.com, in Amap, on the hotel’s business card — take one at the reception).
- DiDi has built-in auto-translation of the chat with the driver — you write in English, the driver sees Chinese.
Public transport: buses and high-speed trains
Sanya city buses
Sanya’s bus network is dense and very cheap: a ticket is 1–10 ¥ (usually 2–5 ¥), paid on boarding.
How to pay:
- A QR code in Alipay/WeChat. In Alipay open “出行” (travel) → “乘车码” (transit code) → choose the city of Sanya (三亚); hold the phone to the validator by the driver. In WeChat — the mini-program “腾讯乘车码”. Do the first activation in advance over Wi-Fi.
- Cash — you drop coins/small notes into the cash box by the driver. There is no change, prepare the exact sum.
- A physical transit card (公交卡) makes no sense for a tourist for a few days.
Useful routes (numbering may change, check in Amap):
| Where to | Buses | Note |
|---|---|---|
| SYX airport ↔ center ↔ Dadonghai | 8, 27 | A cheap alternative to a taxi by day, inconvenient with luggage |
| Center ↔ Sanya Bay (Coconut Boulevard) | 6, 15, 26 | Along the whole embankment |
| Center ↔ Yalong Bay | 15, 25 | ~40–60 minutes |
| Center ↔ Haitang Bay / CDF Mall | H1 (海棠湾专线), 28 | To China’s largest duty-free center |
| To the Nantian springs | no direct city bus | Only a taxi, an excursion transfer or a bus to Haitang Bay + a change |
The round-island high-speed railway (HSR)
A round-island high-speed railway (环岛高铁, huándǎo gāotiě) runs around the perimeter of the island — a fast and predictable way to move between Hainan’s cities, bypassing the traffic of the coastal highway.
Key legs and prices (2nd class, approximate):
| Route | Travel time | Price, ¥ (₽) |
|---|---|---|
| Sanya (三亚站) → Haikou (海口东站) | 1 h 30 min – 2 h | 85–105 (1105–1365) |
| Sanya → Boao (博鳌站) | ~1 h | 55–75 (715–975) |
| Sanya → Yalong Bay station (亚龙湾站) | 8–12 min | 10–20 (130–260) |
| Sanya → Haitang Bay station (海棠湾站) | 12–18 min | 15–25 (195–325) |
Within Sanya’s boundaries the HSR has several stations — 三亚站 (near the center and Sanya Bay), 亚龙湾站 and 海棠湾站; a train between the bays in winter is faster than a taxi in traffic and cheaper.
How to buy a ticket:
- The Trip.com app (in English) — enter your passport details, pay with a UnionPay card or from the wallet; you don’t need to collect the ticket at the station, entry is by passport.
- The official 12306 app (China Railway) — has an English interface, but registration for a foreigner is harder.
- The ticket office at the station — with the original passport, payment in cash or UnionPay.
Boarding nuances:
- You need the original passport — both on purchase, and at the entrance to the boarding area (the turnstile scans the passport), and on the train during checks. A copy and a photo will not do.
- A strict check like at an airport: a frame, a luggage belt. Lighters and matches are prohibited (confiscated), restrictions on liquids are milder than aviation ones, but power banks and sharp objects are checked.
- Arrive 40–60 minutes before departure: screening + finding the right boarding hall (gate) + boarding strictly by cars and seats begins early and closes 3–5 minutes before departure.
Renting a car on Hainan: freedom or a headache?
The law: are international licenses needed?
A clear answer: the international driving permit (IDP) is invalid in mainland China. The PRC does not recognize IDPs issued under the Geneva and Vienna conventions for driving. A Russian national license on its own is also not a basis for driving. You can legally get behind the wheel only with a Chinese license — permanent or temporary.
How a tourist can get a temporary Chinese license in 2026
Hainan is one of the few regions of China where a simplified issuance of a temporary permit to drive a motor vehicle (临时机动车驾驶许可) for the length of stay (as a rule up to 3 months) applies to foreign tourists. The procedure and requirements change periodically — check the current order on the spot, at Phoenix Airport or at a traffic police office. The general scheme:
- Where to apply: an issuing point at Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) on arrival or the Sanya traffic police vehicle administration office (车管所 / Traffic Police Vehicle Administration).
- Documents: a valid national driver’s license (original) + its notarized translation into Chinese (the translation can be ordered in advance or done on the spot at an accredited bureau), a passport with a valid visa-free entry stamp, a migration card, a photo.
- Medical check: a simple vision and general condition check (done right there or at a designated clinic), a certificate.
- Traffic rules check: in a simplified order — a short test or a briefing on local rules (in certain periods for tourists arriving through the airport the exam is replaced by an introductory talk; a full theory exam in English/Russian is taken when obtaining “full” temporary licenses outside the airport scheme).
- Validity: tied to the length of your legal stay, but no more than 3 months; the permit is valid only in Hainan province.
Many large rental companies at the airport help with arranging the permit “turnkey” for an additional fee — if you plan to take a car, ask about this service when booking.
Renting a car (if you have a license)
Apps and companies: 神州租车 (CAR Inc / Shenzhou Zuche), 一嗨租车 (eHi), rental via Trip.com (携程租车) — Trip.com has an English interface and clear terms for foreigners.
Requirements and deposit:
- A Chinese license (permanent or temporary Hainan), a passport, an age usually from 21–25 years, driving experience from 1 year.
- The deposit. Chinese customers make it as a pre-authorization on a local credit card or through Alipay’s credit score (芝麻信用, Zhima Credit), which a foreigner doesn’t have. So a tourist most often needs a cash deposit of 2,000–5,000 ¥ (26,000–65,000 ₽) or a hold of the sum on a UnionPay card if the company accepts it. Clarify before booking.
- Rental cost: a compact sedan from 150–250 ¥/day (1,950–3,250 ₽), a crossover from 300–450 ¥/day, plus insurance (basic is often included, full is an extra 30–70 ¥/day).
Traffic-rule features that are important to know:
- There are very many cameras, plate recognition is total. Fines go to the rental company and are deducted from the deposit.
- A right turn on red in China is permitted by default unless there is a separate prohibiting sign or a red arrow — but yield to pedestrians and traffic.
- The speed limit is strictly observed, for exceeding even by 10% — a fine and points.
- Zero tolerance for alcohol: driving after any dose means a large fine, detention, and in serious cases criminal liability and deportation.
- The horn in the city is used actively — it is the norm, don’t take it as aggression.
- Gas stations: payment through Alipay/WeChat or cash at the register, often prepaid; an attendant fills the tank.
Renting a scooter (moped) / motorcycle in Sanya
Is it legal?
The situation is delicate. In the center of Sanya and on the resort embankments restrictions on the movement of motorcycles and mopeds apply, gasoline scooters in the city limits have largely been displaced; electric bikes (电动车) are widely used, but they must be registered and receive a license plate. Renting two-wheeled transport to foreign tourists is in a gray area: you can legally ride a scooter/motorcycle only with a Chinese license of the corresponding category — E (motorcycle) or F (light moped up to 50 cc / low-power electric bike). The tourist temporary permit, as a rule, does not open the motorcycle category.
Where to rent and how much it costs
- The legal route: rental with a Chinese license of category E/F — offered by separate official offices, which require a license, passport, deposit. Rarely encountered.
- The semi-legal route: renting an electric scooter from private renters in Dadonghai and at Sanya Bay — 50–100 ¥/day (650–1,300 ₽), a deposit of the passport or cash of 300–1,000 ¥. They most likely won’t ask for your license.
– Risks: if the police check documents — a fine (hundreds of yuan) and evacuation of the bike; in an accident you are guilty by default and without insurance, damage and treatment come out of your own pocket; bikes from private owners are often worn out (brakes, lights).
Safety rules
- A helmet is mandatory for both the driver and the passenger — since 2020 China has had the “一盔一带” (“helmet and belt”) campaign, and riding without a helmet is fined.
- Parking only in marked lots for two-wheeled transport (special zones with markings and frames). For a bike left anywhere — a fine, evacuation.
- Do not go onto expressways and out-of-town highways: the traffic is dense, there are trucks, and a tourist has no analogue of compulsory insurance.
- Roads in rain (September is the downpour season) become very slippery, the tiles on the embankments especially so.
Bicycles and electric scooters (sharing)
Sanya is dotted with rental of bicycles and electric bicycles by subscription-minutes: Hellobike (哈啰单车), Meituan Bike (美团单车), Didi Qingju (青桔单车). The fare is about 1.5–2.5 ¥ per 30 minutes.
The foreigner verification problem. To unlock a bike you need a WeChat or Alipay account with real-name verification by passport (实名认证) completed. These services usually do not take a deposit from those with a high Alipay credit score (芝麻信用) — a foreigner doesn’t have one, so a cash deposit (often 199 ¥) may be required, or the service may refuse the rental altogether. Check the possibility in the app in advance. Unlocking is by scanning the QR code on the handlebar, ending the ride is parking in a permitted zone and the “lock” in the app (otherwise payment keeps ticking).
The top 3 navigation apps in 2026
| App | Characters | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amap (Gaode) | 高德地图 | China’s most accurate maps and traffic, excellent navigation for cars and public transport, a partial English mode and a voice assistant | Fully opens up only in Chinese; registration is advisable |
| Baidu Maps | 百度地图 | Detailed maps, good for walking routes and finding venues, points of interest with reviews | No English interface at all, only Chinese |
| Apple Maps | — | Works correctly in China (data from AutoNavi), fully in Russian/English, good for driving and on foot | Weaker in public transport, fewer points of interest, iPhone only |
Google Maps cannot be used: the map is shifted relative to real coordinates (China’s geodata encryption system), transport routes are not plotted, and many objects are missing. Install Amap as the main one, Apple Maps (on iPhone) as a backup in Russian.
The road from Phoenix Airport (SYX): how to get to transport
The airport is compact: after collecting your luggage and walking out into the arrivals hall, the options in order of convenience:
- DiDi. Order a car right in the hall, the pickup point is “Ground Transportation” / the app pickup lot on the lower ground or first level (the app will show). Don’t agree to offers of “taxi, taxi, transfer” from people in the hall — they are resellers.
- An official taxi — a rank with a “出租车 / Taxi” sign at the exit, a queue, a dispatcher. Demand the meter (打表). A receipt on request — you will need it if you leave something in the car.
- City bus 8 and 27 — a stop on the station square, to the center and Dadonghai, 2–5 ¥; tight with suitcases.
- The high-speed train — the HSR stations are not at the airport itself; to 三亚站 station it is ~15 minutes by taxi/bus, so people rarely take the train from the airport to another bay.
- A hotel transfer — many resorts of the eastern bays meet you with a sign at the exit of the arrivals zone (paid, booked in advance); for Haitang Bay and Yalong Bay with large luggage at night it is the most trouble-free option.
SIM/eSIM and Wi-Fi. To call DiDi and plot a route, you need internet right away. Ideal — activate a Chinese eSIM on the plane/before the flight (it works on arrival), or buy a local SIM at the operators’ counters (China Mobile / China Unicom) in the arrivals zone with your passport. Free Wi-Fi in the terminal exists, but requires confirmation by phone number.
Renting a car: a document checklist for the temporary permit
| Document | Comment |
|---|---|
| Passport | The original, with a valid visa-free entry stamp |
| Migration card | Issued at the border, don’t lose it |
| National driver’s license | The original; valid, category B (passenger car) |
| A notarized translation of the license into Chinese | Can be ordered in advance in Russia or done on the spot at an accredited bureau (100–300 ¥) |
| 3×4 photo (2–4 pcs.) | Sometimes made on the spot |
| Medical certificate / vision check | Simple, on the spot or at a designated clinic (50–150 ¥) |
| Application | Filled in at the issuing point; an employee or the rental company helps |
The state fee for processing is symbolic (tens of yuan). The permit is valid only in Hainan province and for no longer than your legal stay.
The ferry to the mainland and domestic flights
- The car-and-passenger ferry Haikou — Hai’an (Guangdong) across the Qiongzhou Strait: ~1.5–2 hours on the way, frequent departures, a passenger ticket is 40–50 ¥, more with a car. Relevant if you go further around mainland China in a rental (check whether the rental allows leaving the island — often not).
- Domestic flights. Flights from Sanya Phoenix Airport go all over China (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and others) — if you are going further around the country, a plane is faster than the round-island train. Tickets — Trip.com, payment by UnionPay; for boarding — a passport.
- The island’s second airport — Haikou Meilan (HAK) in the north; sometimes tickets to/from Haikou are noticeably cheaper, and from Sanya to it is 1.5–2 hours on the HSR.
Phrasebook: Chinese phrases for transport
| English | Chinese (characters) | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| By the meter, please | 请打表 | qǐng dǎ biǎo |
| I need to go to the airport | 我要去机场 | wǒ yào qù jīchǎng |
| Take me to this address (showing) | 请送我到这个地址 | qǐng sòng wǒ dào zhège dìzhǐ |
| Stop here, please | 请在这里停 | qǐng zài zhèlǐ tíng |
| How much is it? | 多少钱？ | duōshǎo qián? |
| Can I pay in cash? | 可以付现金吗？ | kěyǐ fù xiànjīn ma? |
| I need a receipt | 我需要发票 | wǒ xūyào fāpiào |
| Where is the bus stop? | 公交车站在哪里？ | gōngjiāo chēzhàn zài nǎlǐ? |
| Where is the train station? | 火车站在哪里？ | huǒchēzhàn zài nǎlǐ? |
| Airport | 机场 | jīchǎng |
| High-speed train | 高铁 | gāotiě |
| Car rental | 租车 | zūchē |
| Gas station | 加油站 | jiāyóuzhàn |
| Slower, please | 请开慢一点 | qǐng kāi màn yìdiǎn |
How much to budget for transport: a weekly guideline
- Only DiDi around the city and bays: 500–1,200 ¥ per person for 7 days at 1–2 trips a day within a bay and a couple of transfers.
- A mix of bus + shared bike + an occasional taxi: 150–400 ¥ for 7 days.
- Car rental: 1,000–1,800 ¥ for 7 days (rental + fuel) + one-off costs for a license (translation, certificate, fee ~300–600 ¥) + a deposit of 2,000–5,000 ¥ (refundable).
- Airport ↔ hotel transfer round trip: from 60 ¥ (a bus for two) to 340 ¥ (a taxi to Haitang Bay and back).
FAQ: transport on Hainan
Can I pay cash in DiDi? By default no — the fare is debited automatically from a linked UnionPay card or from the Alipay/WeChat balance. Some drivers agree to cash if you message them in the chat before the trip starts, but you shouldn’t count on it. Set up cashless payment in advance.
How do I get from the airport to Yalong Bay at night? DiDi works around the clock — order an Express or Select right in the terminal, a night trip will cost about 115–150 ¥ (1,500–1,950 ₽). The alternative is the official taxi rank at the exit of the arrivals zone (demand the meter, 打表). There are no night direct buses to Yalong Bay.
Do I need a license to take a bike or electric scooter from sharing? A license is not needed, but a WeChat or Alipay account with passport identification (实名认证) completed is. Without it the app will not unlock the vehicle; sometimes a cash deposit of about 199 ¥ is additionally required.
What is faster between Sanya and Haikou — the train or the bus? The high-speed train: 1.5–2 hours, 85–105 ¥, departures every 15–40 minutes, no traffic. The intercity bus takes 3–3.5 hours and costs about the same. For this route the train clearly wins; buy the ticket on Trip.com, and for boarding bring the original passport.
Is it realistic to do entirely without a taxi? Within one bay — yes: on foot, on a shared bike, on a city bus. But transfers between bays and trips to the airport with luggage by bus are tiring; for them allow DiDi or, between HSR stations, the high-speed train.
Hainan hotels: all resorts on the island · Sanya · Haikou.
