Haikou City (Hǎikǒu Shì), abbreviated as "Hǎi", is the capital of Hainan Province. Historically, it was known as the "Coconut City" due to its abundant coconut trees. As the southernmost tropical island provincial capital in China, Haikou combines bright sunshine, a blue ocean, and a leisurely urban life, fostering a unique island temperament that is calm, open, and vibrant.
Haikou is located at the northern tip of Hainan Island, separated from the Leizhou Peninsula of Guangdong Province by the Qiongzhou Strait, serving as a gateway connecting mainland China with Hainan Island. The terrain here is flat, and it belongs to a tropical oceanic monsoon climate zone, with its most prominent feature being "long summers and no winters." With year-round abundant sunshine, fresh air, and a backdrop of blue skies and seas, this unique natural environment makes it an ideal winter escape and holiday destination in China.
The charm of this city lies half in its natural endowments as an island and half in its historical sedimentation as a port. You can stroll along the long coastline of "Holiday Beach" to feel the gentle sea breeze and coconut rhythm; or delve into the city center, walking through the "Qilou Old Street." These century-old arcade buildings, integrating Nanyang and European styles, witnessed Haikou's past prosperity as a commercial port and still exude a rich sense of local life.
Haikou's soul lies in its distinctive "slow living" pace, which is vividly reflected in the "Laoba Tea" culture. In tea houses scattered throughout the streets, locals (especially middle-aged and elderly men) can spend an afternoon chatting over a pot of tea and a few snacks – a unique Haikou "comfort." Gastronomically, as the center of Hainan cuisine, it advocates the original flavors of ingredients, with light and fresh tastes. Whether it's Wenchang chicken, Jiaji duck, or fresh seafood, you'll taste the purest "flavor of the sea."
As a core city of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Haikou stands at the forefront of China's new round of opening up. The city is accelerating its transformation from a traditional tourist city to an international trade, finance, and shipping hub. It skillfully combines the leisurely charm of a tropical island with the pulse of building a free trade port, presenting a unique modern landscape on the blue shores of the South China Sea.
What is there to do in Haikou China?
The best time to visit Haikou is from October to May of the following year.
During this period, Haikou's climate is mild and comfortable, with less rainfall and abundant sunshine, making it ideal for beach activities and outdoor exploration.
It is advisable to avoid the rainy season and high typhoon season from June to September, when the weather is hot and humid, and travel plans may be affected by adverse weather.
In the first year of Yuanfeng, during Emperor Wu of Han's reign, Zhuyai Commandery was established here. Haikou, as its subordinate Daimao County, was officially incorporated into the central dynasty's territory, marking the beginning of its over two-thousand-year administrative history.
After the Second Opium War, the Qing government signed the Treaty of Tianjin, and Haikou (Qiongzhou) was designated as a treaty port. Since then, it became an important gateway for Hainan's overseas trade, promoting its modernization.
Hainan was established as a province and became China's largest special economic zone. Haikou was designated as the capital of Hainan Province, ushering in unprecedented development opportunities and rapidly growing into a modern tropical coastal city.
Transportation you must know when visiting Haikou
Haikou Meilan International Airport is the main air gateway to Hainan Island. The airport features Meilan Station of the Hainan Ring Expressway Railway, allowing for seamless "air-rail combined transport" transfers.
Airport shuttle bus routes cover major hotels and landmarks in the city center, with fares around 20 Yuan.
Haikou boasts major railway stations such as Haikou Station and Haikou East Station, serving as important hubs for the Hainan Ring Expressway Railway.
Taking the Hainan Ring Expressway Railway allows convenient access to Sanya and other cities and counties on the island, with the fastest journey to Sanya taking approximately 1.5 hours.
As a transportation hub for the Qiongzhou Strait, Haikou has three major ports: Xiuying Port, Xinhai Port, and Nan Port.
It provides passenger and roll-on/roll-off ferry services to places like Xuwen in Guangdong, serving as an important gateway for entering and exiting Hainan Island.
Haikou's bus system has a well-developed network, operating over 150 routes, most of which are air-conditioned buses.
Fares are mostly 1-2 Yuan, supporting mobile payment methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay.
Several tourist bus special lines have also been launched to facilitate direct access to major attractions for visitors.
Haikou's taxi starting fare is 10 Yuan (within 3 kilometers), with an additional 2.4 Yuan per kilometer thereafter.
Ride-hailing services are also very popular, and vehicles can be conveniently hailed through platforms like "Didi Chuxing".
There is a large number of shared bicycles from various brands available in Haikou city.
Riding fees are typically 1.5 Yuan/30 minutes, making it a convenient option for short-distance travel.
What to eat in Haikou, you need to know
Hainan Noodles
Hainan's most representative snack, famous for its smooth rice noodles and rich sauce; it is the locals' first choice for breakfast and supper.
Qingbuliang
A refreshing dessert that is especially suitable for Haikou's hot climate; it has rich ingredients, diverse tastes, and high nutritional value.
Vinegar Seafood Hotpot
This special hotpot originated in Wenchang Puqian. It uses sour vinegar, made from fermented lees left over from winemaking, as its broth base. It has a unique flavor and is both sour and spicy, stimulating the appetite.
Wenchang Chicken
One of Hainan's "Four Famous Dishes" renowned for its thin skin, crispy bones, tender meat, and delicious flavor. The authentic way to enjoy it is to boil it in boiling water and dip it in a sauce made from minced garlic, minced ginger, chicken oil, and orange juice.
Old Salt Lemonade
A common specialty drink found on the streets of Haikou, this sweet and salty drink is refreshing and thirst-quenching, replenishing salt lost through sweating and making it a great way to beat the summer heat.