Sanya First Market

　　The First Market is the largest seafood trading market in Sanya, but nowadays when people refer to the "First Market," they no longer mean just this market — it broadly refers to the market and its surrounding commercial streets, including Xinmin Street, Ye Feng Lane, and the area around West Hexi Road. It's a hub for seafood processing shops.

　　The First Market is the top choice for many tourists looking to eat seafood. The seafood here is fresh and affordable. After buying seafood at the market, you can have it processed at a nearby shop, which is much cheaper than dining at a big restaurant. Plus, a wide variety of fruits and Hainan specialties can be found both inside and outside the market.

　　There are numerous seafood processing shops in the First Market area, resulting in fierce competition. As a result, you’ll see many touts trying to pull you in — don’t let them lead you around. Also, if you’re buying seafood to take back to your accommodation for self-cooking, make sure to compare prices and shop around before purchasing. Be cautious of seafood being switched or substituted.

　　Many tourists pre-select well-reviewed processing shops online. Upon arrival, head first to the processing shops located on the street opposite the First Market. Then, you can ask the shop assistants (often called “A-Jie”) to accompany you to pick out the seafood. They are experienced and can help with bargaining. This is a good option if you’re not confident in selecting or bargaining for produce yourself.

　　Sanya’s markets can be quite chaotic. When buying seafood, watch out for merchants shortchanging you — bringing a small scale along can give you peace of mind. When buying fish or shrimp, be aware that vendors might add a lot of water to the bags; it’s best to poke a small hole to let the excess water drain out. But the most alarming issue is seafood being switched. Keep a close eye on the vendor’s hands — their skill in swapping your chosen live crab with a dead one is almost magical.

　　Besides seafood, you can also enjoy a variety of Hainan specialties here, such as Hainan noodles, coconut milk cold soup, sticky rice cakes, coconut rice, Shanlan wine, and other local snacks, as well as a range of freshly squeezed juices. Among these, freshly squeezed papaya juice and coconut juice are especially tempting.

　　Address: No. 155, Xinjian Street, Tianya District, Sanya City, Hainan Province

　　Transportation: Take bus routes 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 12, 16, 17, 26, 50, or 51 within Sanya City and get off at the Yishichang Intersection stop