Historically Sanya was called Yazhou in ancient times with a recorded long-lasting history. In March 1992 archeologists discovered the 10-thousand-year human relics of Sanya at luo Cave, which brings forward the human history of Sanya to two to three more thousand years. The relics is the earliest one as known resided with human being, is as well as the southernmost relics in the culture of China's Old Stone Age. Along the coast ancient Persian's grave groups were found.

As early as in Qin Dynasty three counties were set under jurisdiction of the central government, Yazhou, or called Xiangjun was one of which. Han Dynasty established Zhuya County, Sui Dynasty set Linzhen and Tang Dynasty changed it to Zhenzhou for today's Sanya. By Song Dynasty Sanya had become the southernmost country of China. As Sanya lies remote from the mainland and the central government, it has long been called "the end of the earth" since old times. The prime ministers Han Yuan and dignitary monk Jian Zhen of Tang Dynasty, the famous prime minister Zhao Ding, minister Hu Quan and the weaver Huang Daopo of Song Dynasty have all stepped feet in Sanya, who has made great contributions to the development of regional economy and cultural exchanges.

Yaxian County was liberated in April 1950,and the county government was established. In October 1954 the administration of CPC Yaxian Committee was relocated from Yacheng to Sanya. In 1958 Yaxian was relocated from Yacheng to Sanya. In 1958 Yaxian was emerged with Baoting, Lingshui, Niulou and Xinglong of wanning to become a big county, which were separated in 1959 and 1961 to set Baoting and Lingshui While Yaxian County remained its current prefecture. Approved by the State Council of China, Yaxian was upgraded to Sanya City on September 26,1987.On December 30 on the same year, Sanya City was officially named and performed accordingly.

Sanya is home to quite a number of nationalities, there are over 20 nationalities living in compact communities. Li and Miao are the two largest ethnic groups. Li is regarded as the aborigines of Hainan Island, majority of which live in compact community in mountainous area with their own language. Li is a vigorous minority boasting brilliant arts, dance and music, unparalleled dyeing and weaving talent. With the development of Hainan tourist industry, their ancient culture is opened to the outside world.

The long history and the multiple inhabitations have cultivated a colorful folk culture and art, while they have also developed rich local handicrafts and religious culture. Sanya's local culture and art consist of fairy tales, legends, folk dances, folk music, sculpture, gardening, religion and handicrafts. Every piece of the local folk culture and art can be a wonder and a surprise.

Sanya's folk weaving has been enjoying a long history and well known either home or abroad. It includes roughly the cloth weaving and the bamboo weaving. Cloth weaving is represented by cotton weaving by Li covers, bags and skirts, all known for elaborate patterns and colorful figures. Bamboo strips need be processed in many operations including scraping and polish before they can be woven into delicate handicrafts of different shapes serving different purposes.

Sanya's folk art represented by songs and dances of Li people and Miao people. Their dancing poses all originated from the basic motions for hunting and farming while the accompanying melodies all originated from local folk ballads.

Li people and Miao people enjoy singing and dancing very much. Upon an abundant harvest the Spring Festival or the "Lunar March 3 Festival", people with all their whole families gather in an opens field next to their villages, lighting up torches and dancing with accompaniment of gongs in various formations such as "deer hunting", "turning-back deer" or "coco shell". A dance named "Jumping over Bamboo" was listed by the nation as immateriality cultural heritage.