Three nights at the southern tip of China
Sanya puts Jay Chou on an outdoor stage in December. On the mainland that is coat weather. Here on Hainan’s southern coast it is the dry season, and evenings are mild enough for short sleeves.
The Carnival II World Tour plays Sanya Sports Center Egret Stadium on December 18, 19 and 20, 2026. Three nights in a row is a sign of how far his audience reaches. Fans who grew up on “Simple Love,” “Nunchucks” and “Blue and White Porcelain” fly in from across China and the Chinese-speaking world.
Treat the trip as a winter beach holiday with a stadium show in the middle. Many visitors do exactly that.
Inside the Egret Stadium
This is a stadium show, so picture a field of seats in front of a big stage and tiered stands rising around it. The bowl is open to the sky. On a Hainan December night that means warm air and a sea breeze rather than air conditioning.
On these tours you are there to sing. Mandopop crowds sing whole choruses back at the stage, and many fans carry light sticks or set their phone torches glowing during the ballads.
People up in the stands rely on the big screens beside the stage. People on the field get closer, but they stand and crane their necks for much of the show.
Dates, tickets and real-name entry
Tickets for big mainland concerts are usually sold through the organiser’s authorised ticketing platforms. Resale listings outside those channels are where fans most often lose money.
Large concerts in mainland China generally use real-name ticketing. Each ticket is tied to the buyer’s identity document, and staff match the two at the gate. International visitors usually buy with their passport details and bring that same passport on the night. A photo or photocopy of it is not enough.
Prices vary by seating section. This guide does not quote figures.
Getting to Sanya and getting around
Most visitors fly into Sanya Phoenix International Airport. It has direct flights from major Chinese cities and some regional hubs across Asia. Others take the high-speed train down Hainan’s eastern coast from Haikou to Sanya Railway Station, a scenic ride along the island.
Within the city, fans usually take ride-hailing apps such as DiDi or taxis. After a sell-out show, traffic on the roads leaving the stadium moves slowly. Many attendees wait out the first surge with a snack nearby rather than joining the scramble for cars.
Where people tend to stay:
- Sanya Bay: a long city-side beach with plenty of mid-range hotels and the short taxi hops most fans want.
- Dadonghai: compact and walkable, with restaurants and a busy small bay.
- Yalong Bay and Haitang Bay: big resort hotels further east. They are quieter, but the trip back after the show is longer.
How a Sanya show night usually goes
Fans typically reach the stadium well before showtime. Queues build at the security checks, and ID matching adds a step for every ticket holder. Bags are screened, so most people carry a small bag and leave large camera gear and selfie sticks at the hotel.
Payment across Sanya runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay, from street-food stalls to taxis. Both apps now accept many foreign bank cards. Visitors usually set them up before landing, and they keep a little cash as backup.
Some other things regulars do:
- Pack a light layer, because the breeze off the sea cools the stands late in the evening.
- Bring a power bank, since phones handle tickets, payment and the ride home.
- Learn the chorus of a couple of the classics. The crowd sings in Mandarin, and joining in is half the fun.
Tipping is not part of local custom, at the venue or anywhere else in town.
Filling the days between shows
With three show dates, a lot of fans stay several nights. December daytimes are made for the coast.
- Tianya Haijiao: the rock-strewn “edge of the sky” shoreline west of the city, a classic Chinese holiday photo stop.
- Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone: home to the 108-metre Guanyin statue standing in the sea.
- Wuzhizhou Island: a short boat ride from Haitang Bay, known for clear water and snorkelling.
- Luhuitou Park: a hilltop at the edge of Sanya Bay with views over the city.
For dinner, the seafood markets around Sanya work the same way across town. You choose your fish and shellfish at the market stalls, then a neighbouring restaurant cooks them to order. Hainan’s own dishes are worth ordering too: Wenchang chicken and the clear, peppery seafood soups.
Frequently asked questions
When and where does Jay Chou play in Sanya?
The Carnival II World Tour plays three shows at Sanya Sports Center Egret Stadium in Sanya, Hainan, on December 18, 19 and 20, 2026.
Do I need my passport to get in?
Large concerts in mainland China generally use real-name ticketing, with each ticket tied to the buyer's ID. International fans usually buy with their passport details and show that same passport at the gate.
What is the weather like in Sanya in December?
December is in Sanya's dry season. Days are warm and beach-friendly and evenings are mild. Most fans wear light clothes and bring one layer for the sea breeze in the open stadium.
How do people get to Sanya?
Most fly into Sanya Phoenix International Airport. Others take the high-speed train down Hainan's east coast from Haikou to Sanya Railway Station. Around town, people use DiDi or taxis.
What else is there to do near the concert?
Fans often spend their days at Sanya Bay, Dadonghai or Yalong Bay. Other common stops are the Guanyin statue at Nanshan, Tianya Haijiao, Luhuitou Park and a boat trip to Wuzhizhou Island.
Plan your trip to Sanya
China eSIM & staying connected →
Some links above are affiliate links — if you book through them, Wander Atlas earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's how we keep every guide free.
