Hainan in January 2026 – is it worth going on vacation? Weather in Sanya and Dadonghai, reviews, air and water temperature, is it possible to swim, how to dress, prices for tours. What to do in Hainan in January besides a beach holiday, where to go and visit – says Eurotraveler.
We won’t lie – on New Year’s Eve, the Chinese island of Hainan is not exactly what tourists planning to visit tropical resorts dream about. That is, yes – there it will be warm. But definitely not so much that you constantly want to cool off in the sea and sip cocktails while lying on a sun lounger on the shore.
However, today a lot comes down to money. And you will have to pay them for a trip from Russia to Hainan in January not so much.
Is this a sufficient incentive to get ready and fly to the East during the New Year holidays? In our opinion – undoubtedly.
Because in return you will get a lot! A good rest in warm regions, complete break from everyday realitya lot of new experiences that will not allow winter depression to enter your life.
Someone may also receive a new vector of aspirations. In fact, how many reviews on the Internet are there on the topic: “flew to China for the first time and fell in love”?!
Briefly
- What month is best to go to Hainan? If we are talking about a beach holiday, then the best period is considered from late March to early May. At this time, the air temperature regularly stays in the range of +28-30 °C, rain is rare, and there are many sunny days!
- Is it possible to vacation in Hainan in winter? Yes, definitely. Despite the fact that this time of year is considered the coldest on the island, you can both replenish vitamin D deficiency and visit the beach regularly. In January, Hainan is quite cool by local standards – usually no higher than +24-26 degrees Celsius, but mostly dry.
- Is there swimming in Hainan in January? Foreign tourists – definitely. And why shouldn’t they do this if the water near the coast is warmed up to +23-24 °C? But the Chinese themselves this month prefer only to walk along the seashore or engage in health improvement at one of the many local clinics.
Weather in Hainan in January
Many online guides openly express doubt that it is suitable for a beach holiday. However, if you evaluate with an unbiased mind, then the chance that the weather will suit you you will like it, it will seem simply fabulous– very big!
And how could it be otherwise, if the air temperature in Hainan in January – for example, in Dadonghai – is completely rarely makes an attempt drop below +20 degrees Celsius (daytime)? The nights are colder. But it’s colder in the style of Sochi in May – usually around +16-18 °C.
The maximum temperatures live in the range +24-26 °C. There are days (and even weeks) when they reach +28 °C
You need to understand that the January weather in Dadonghai Bay is no different from its counterpart in the center of Sanya. And holidaymakers who settled on Yalong Beach will not find any differences.
Rain and sun
This is not to say that they are considered something of a nonsense in Hainan in January. But the likelihood of a stormy day, and the volume of precipitation, is minimal. Statistically – no more than 20 mm for the entire month.
However, cloudy weather prevails
Sunny days also occur, but their total number per month does not exceed 10-12.
As for the winds, they blow in Hainan in winter quite noticeable. And in theory, they can drive decent waves to the shore – on separate days, however, and not for a week in a row.
You can read a fresh and informative review about the trip to Hainan (at the end of December, however) here – irecommend.ru/content/samyi-neobychnyi-kurort.
Water temperature
There is no reason to doubt that you will be able to swim in Hainan in January. Especially if you are not too picky about the temperature of the water area.
The South China Sea near the coast of the island is warm in January up to +23-24 degrees Celsius. And it can cool down to +22 or even just +21 °C by February.
This is probably not too much when compared with what the sea temperature is in January in Nha Trang. But you must agree – quite acceptable!
It is curious that the Chinese themselves – and for them Hainan is not just an elite seaside resort –
they don’t even try to plunge into the sea in winter
And those who not only go into the water, but also swim, are looked at with outright surprise.
In fact, we are wearing quilted jackets here. And they – swim and sunbathe?
When visiting the beach in Hainan, we definitely recommend use sunscreento prevent burns. Yet this island does not cease to be tropical in winter.
Well, it would probably be a good idea to take a jacket with you – after a swim in a cool water area, you want to warm up on the shore.
What to take on a trip
Obviously, some kind of windbreaker or light jacket can come in handy during evening walks. But during day trips to the remarkable places of Hainan you will also be able to visit in January better dress lighter.
For example, in summer dresses and sundresses, short-sleeved shirts, T-shirts and shorts. Take caps and panama hats with you, as well as a supply of water…
You should also have your phone ready for your trip to China. Thinking about how you will access sites that are blocked in the Celestial Empire.
Equally you can very need an online translator. Since not only Russian, but also English in China few understand.
- Here are other interesting facts about modern China
It’s a good idea to buy some RMB cash before you leave. We also recommend pack a first aid kit for your trip with first aid supplies in case of indigestion or poisoning.
Although Chinese cuisine is not as exotic, and certainly not as spicy, as, for example, Thai or Vietnamese
Prices 2026
Vary noticeably depending on whether you decide to celebrate the New Year in Hainan or be patient and wait at least until January 5-7. Yes, that’s right – even before the end of official holidays (in Russia), the cost of tours to Hainan starts decline dynamically.
When departing for Hainan from Moscow, say, at the end of December, buying a week-long trip for two (flights, accommodation, breakfast only) will cost 230+ thousand rubles. But if you have the opportunity to travel after January 10, then you will pay for everything the same from 140 thousand.
Feel, as they say, the difference!
An independent trip to the island from the Russian capital (for example) is practically has no chance of being cheaper. Because just for air travel there and back you will have to pay from 90-95 thousand rubles (for a passenger with luggage) on New Year’s dates, and from 50 thousand if you go on a trip 7-10 days later.
The most inexpensive of the “decent” ones, Shengyi Holiday Villa Hotel, will rent out a double room for ~40 € per night. A large swimming pool is available, the sea is across the road.
Things to do
In most cases, tourists (non-Chinese by nationality) concentrate in Hainan on a beach holiday with a gastronomic twist. In fact, it’s hard not to indulge in such fresh and varied, and at the same time not particularly expensive, seafood. And also exotic fruits: all these pineapples and jackfruits…
A week will fly by with such a pastime and you won’t even notice. Although, of course, you can saturate your holiday even more highlights.
For example, with a one-day excursion to Yanoda rainforestwhose calling cards are the man-made Glass Bridge and the Orchid Garden. January and winter in general is a great, perhaps even the best time to visit Yanoda (other months are too hot).
Also, literally every tourist wants to join Chinese religious culture by visiting Hainan Nanshan Buddhism Center. Overly commercialized, but still quite an interesting place.
For the purpose of recovery, you can go to Nantian hot springs. Or in Sanya, take part in tea ceremonies, tasting different varieties of Chinese tea.
- Weather and air temperature in January in Beijing
- What to see in January in Shanghai
- How to quickly get from Beijing to Shanghai
- What to visit first in China
