The ancient name of Sanya is Yazhou), which literally means "cliff prefecture". Its history can be dated back to the Qin Dynasty (221 – 206 BC). Since then, it has always been within the territory of the Chinese dynasties. Due to its remoteness, Sanya is sometimes called Tianya Haijiao, meaning "the end of the sky and ocean". Some prime ministers in various dynasties were exiled there and the Buddhist monk Jianzhen accidentally sailed there and used the place as one of his harbors for his missionary journey to Japan.
In 1912, the name Yazhou was changed to Yaxian (Chinese Postal Map Romanisation: Aihsien or Ngaihsien).
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japan occupied the area from 1941–1945. Rechristened as Samah, the city was the home port for the Second Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the main embarkation point for the Japanese Invasion of Malaya and Thailand.
In April 1950, the county was taken over by the People's Liberation Army, and the Yaxian County People's Government was established. In October 1954, the Yaxian County Party Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the county government and organs directly under the county were moved to Sanya. In 1958 the Baoting, Lingshui and Wanning Xinglong cattle drain region into a precipice county ( county ), in 19611959, successively separating, setting of Baoting, Lingshui county. Now Ya county retained jurisdiction. On 19 May1984the State Council approved the revocation of Ya county established in Sanya city ( county ). In September 26, 1987, by the approval of the State Council, Sanya city was elevated to the rank of city. In December 30 of the same year, Sanya city was officially established.
Whole town administer two administrative areas, an office ( East, West Zone Management, the office of the South China Sea ),10 towns ( Begonia Bay, Lin Wang, red sand, Yang, Phoenix, litchi ditch, Tianya, cliff city, and Hong Kong, Meishan),3 townships ( peak, Yucai, elegance shine
