Sanya Population 2026
Sanya has a population of 1,031,396, making it the #166 biggest city in 🇨🇳 China, located in Hainan. Roughly 0.1% of China's population lives here. It is about 24× smaller than Shanghai, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
1,031,396
Rank in China
#166
Coordinates
18.25°N, 109.51°E
~1 m elevation · Asia/Shanghai
Distance to capital (Beijing)
2,497 km
1,551 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Hainan
Cities near Sanya
FAQ
What is the population of Sanya?
Sanya has a population of 1,031,396 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #166 biggest city in China.
What region is Sanya in?
Sanya is located in Hainan, China.
Is Sanya the capital of China?
No, the capital of China is Beijing, about 2,497 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.