Sanya Travel Forum

This may sound a bit cheeky but I am just wondering How difficult will it be for english speaking people on holiday to be understtod outwith their hotels as I have read that mandarin is the only language spoken in shops , restaurants and taxis.
Hope somebody can help
Thanks

HI! Mary:

The more stars your hotel gets, the better people in the hotel will understand you (grin)

The general public does not speak English so if you decide to grind it out and really mingle with the locals - it's going to be a heck of a duck vs chicken scenario....

HI
Thanks for your help, we were thinking of travelling to Sanya maybe next year but will have to think hard about it as it might be difficult outwith hotel and we like to get out from hotel,
Thanks
Mary.

Sometimes the fun is in not knowing the language....it really depends on how adventurous you wish to be....just my 2 cents worth....

There are so many foreigners in Sanya, some Russian even can't speak English, but they still can stay here very well. I don't know all foreigners just stay at their hotels when they visit our Sanya. I think if they can be no problem outwith hotel, I think you too. :)

Hi, everyone

I quite agree with upstairs.

Yes, mandarin is the main language in sanya,but there are more and more persons can speak english now! Most hotels have the english training lessons for their stuff, so if you choose a better hotel, you will feel very convenient and you can communicate with them very easily.

As for the taxi here, if you think it is a big problem, you can buy a english & chinese map, then show it to your driver directly. Or you can consider to bood everything by a good travel agents, which can make a special package for you, including transportation, hotel, attractions,etc.

I think it is very easy to visit sanya, if you really wanna go, many people would like to help you!

Regards,

Jane

Btw, there are many foreigners would like to buy an appartment here. Why? They have the same language problem as well as you, but they still like to live here. Actually, language is not a big problem for your visit,coz you will spend more time in superior hotel and a few time for outside. You can not meet so much difficulties like you imagined.

Keep in touch! Any question, please let me know! :)

Jane
Ps: my msn is wm100t_55@hotmail.com

actually u need not hv to worry so much. nowadays, more tourist / travellers r asians too like me. so we can actually help interpret when come across non mandarin speaking fellow travellers.

like i last visited in oct/nov 06, i didn't really noticed lotsa foreign travellers faced much language communications prob.

as other fellow VT mentioned, u might only hv some communication prob with taxi drivers or bus drivers, but with fellow travellers u should get by quite easily.

though u need to be careful with ur valuables / wallet / camera. carry items sling across ur back is a BIG NO NO. i make it a point to carry them in my waist pouch or small backpack in front of me. do be alert & observant of ur surroundings be it in china or any other countries while travelling.

gook luck & enjoy ur trip

dave