Although this is my second trip to Sanya, last time I stayed in the hotel the entire time without ever stepping out, so I hadn’t visited any of the local attractions… Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park is the first forest park in Sanya developed and built in accordance with national forest park standards. Although it is only a 4A-rated scenic area, it is actually far superior to many 5A-rated ones. It occupies a prime location in Yalong Bay, offering panoramic views of the entire bay from various heights and angles. The filming of “If You Are the One II” here has further boosted its popularity.
After arriving in Sanya by high-speed rail, I took a taxi straight to Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park. Right at the entrance, I saw the massive ‘Yalong Bay’ stone monument.
I purchased tickets on Ctrip, and the self-service ticket machines made pickup very convenient. Luggage storage is available at the service center. Once inside, you rely almost entirely on electric shuttle buses; they run in segments to different attractions, and the route is very well organized. The first stop is Orchid Valley. It’s essentially a walk through familiar woodland scenery with some orchids displayed in a few spots. If you’re short on time, you can skip this attraction, though I did manage to buy a delicious iced coconut here.
Next up is the famous Guojianglong Suspension Bridge. It is 168 meters long and nearly 40 meters above the ground. Traffic is one-way, and while there is slight swaying throughout, it isn’t scary at all. The view from the middle is spectacular—perfect for taking photos~
Past the suspension bridge lies the highest point of the park, Qianli San (Thousand-Mile Umbrella). From here, you can see the pool of the Bird’s Nest Resort West Zone (Earthly Paradise) built into the cliffside next door, and on the other side, the hotel rooms nestled into the mountain.
Then comes the famous Glass Plank Road. It is 400 meters long and paved with large 3m x 3m glass panels. I’m not sure why these glass walkways have become so popular at scenic spots across the country; in reality, the glass reflection is quite significant, but walking on it isn’t frightening.
Afterward, you’ll encounter a 5,000 kg red copper dragon sculpture called ‘Dragon Roaming the World’.
You can also see several filming locations from “If You Are the One II.” For instance, there is the Heaven Made Match Chapel here, which I imagine could be rented for weddings as well.
Finally, there is a commercial street called Tianjie (Sky Street), where you can grab a bite, enjoy some coffee, and take a break. There is also a 4D cinema. Afterward, you take the shuttle bus back down to the entrance, concluding your visit.
Overall, it is a very well-developed scenic area with adequate dining facilities. Focusing on natural scenery and the “If You Are the One” connection, it comes highly recommended and can easily be considered one of the must-visit attractions in Sanya.
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