Tianya Haijiao (The Ends of the Earth) (天涯海角, Tiānyá Hǎijiǎo)

Tianya Haijiao is a 16-square-kilometer scenic area on Hainan's southwestern coast, characterized by a long sandy beach backed by a low hillside, with a cluster of massive sea-eroded granite boulders rising from the shallows. The boulders have been shaped by the sea for millennia — wave action has carved them into surreal forms, undercutting their bases and creating natural arches and columns. The two most famous boulders are inscribed with the characters "天涯" (Tianya, "the edge of the sky") and "海角" (Haijiao, "the end of the sea") in calligraphy by the Qing Dynasty poet and calligrapher.

The site's cultural significance predates the modern tourist era. For centuries, Tianya Haijiao has been a symbol in Chinese literature and folklore of the furthest point one could travel — the place where the sky ends and the sea begins. In romantic tradition, visiting Tianya Haijiao together signifies a love that will last to the ends of the earth. This cultural resonance makes the site feel more meaningful than a simple beach with rocks — it is a place of symbolic pilgrimage for Chinese couples. The grounds are landscaped with tropical plants, and the beach is backed by casuarina trees.

The site is heavily developed as a tourist destination, with a large visitor infrastructure including a visitor center, restaurants, a performance stage (where a traditional Li and Miao dance show runs twice daily), and a coral reef snorkeling area at the western end. The crowds are significant on weekends and public holidays. The experience is best on a weekday morning or late afternoon when the light is good and tour groups have thinned.