Discover Haikou

Haikou's most iconic district — a kilometre of 1920s–1930s arcaded shophouses in a unique blend of Southern Chinese, European, Indian, and Arabic architecture. Hundreds of food vendors, fruit stalls, seafood markets, and souvenir shops line the shaded walkways. Visit in the evening when the street comes alive. Try Wenchang Chicken rice and Qingbuliang coconut dessert here.

One of Hainan's most important historical sites — a complex honouring five virtuous Tang and Song Dynasty officials exiled to Hainan. The grounds include elegant garden pavilions, ancient springs (Fusu Spring), a classical Chinese theatre stage, and the 1,000-year-old Qiongyuan garden. Live traditional music performances add atmosphere. About 30–60 minutes to explore.

Built in 1589, this peaceful memorial honours Hai Rui (1513–1587), one of China's most celebrated honest officials of the Ming Dynasty. A revered symbol of integrity and anti-corruption, Hai Rui served as a model for generations of officials. The rectangular cemetery spans 15 mu with a granite tomb, grand gateway, and gallery leading to a scenic pagoda. Quiet and reflective.

Haikou's beloved bayfront green lung — a sweeping park on Haidian Island with jogging paths, cycle tracks, amphitheatre, Mahjong tables, children's play areas, and a long pedestrian bridge with views of Century Bridge and distant Guangdong. Spectacular at night when the bay skyline lights up. Main transport hub for volcano park and Movie Town buses. The heart of local outdoor life.

Haikou's most accessible city beach — a long sandy stretch with clear water, palm-lined promenade, and boating facilities. Jet skis, motor boats, and sail boats available for hire (¥150–450 for 20 minutes). Best visited on sunny days between 2–6pm. The sunset view over the South China Sea is excellent. Paid parking available; bring your own snacks as the single café is pricey.

One of China's most striking natural attractions — a UNESCO-recognized geopark of 40 ancient volcanoes formed 10,000 years ago. Explore the dramatic Ma'an Volcano crater, ancient lava tube caves, 1,000-year-old lava stone villages still inhabited today, and the ecological reserve. About 20km from the city centre. Allow 3–4 hours. Take Bus 37 from Evergreen Park or a ¥40 DiDi ride.

Hainan's premier museum — 43,000 sqm across three floors with 20+ exhibition halls covering the island's history, Li and Miao ethnic minority culture, underwater archaeology (South China Sea shipwrecks), and a fascinating culinary hall recreating old Hainan street scenes. Opened in 2008; online pre-booking required. Bring passport. English explanation at the start of each room.

A major film studio theme park featuring historic Chinese dynasty sets, ancient town replicas, and immersive entertainment experiences. Frequently used for major Chinese film and TV productions — visitors may glimpse actual filming. Shows, performances, and photo opportunities throughout the day. Bus from Evergreen Park available. Allow a full day.

An architectural masterpiece that has become one of Asia's most photographed buildings — a striking white structure resembling cascading bookshelves on the waterfront. Located on the Duhai River, 5 minutes from Westin Hotel. An absolute must-visit for architecture lovers and photographers. Best shot at golden hour. The interior is equally stunning with winding staircases and light-filled reading rooms.

A well-preserved late Qing Dynasty coastal fort built in 1891 to defend against French naval incursions. Five original Krupp artillery cannon emplacements remain intact, surrounded by tropical gardens. A quiet, often overlooked gem that tells the story of Hainan's modern colonial history. 15 minutes from the city centre. Excellent for history enthusiasts and photographers.

Consistently rated Haikou's finest hotel for international visitors. Located on Duhai River, 5 minutes walk from the iconic City Library. Spacious, quiet rooms with beautiful river views. Exceptional breakfast with fresh juices and egg tarts. English-speaking staff who go above and beyond. Most staff speak English — a rarity in Haikou. Convenient for Didi to all attractions.

French luxury in the heart of Haikou. Overlooks Evergreen Park with stunning bay views. Attentive staff who remember preferences and personalise service. Spacious, luxurious rooms with excellent views. Giant breakfast spread. Central location — short Didi ride to all major sights. Shopping centre right next door. Staff speak English. Ideal for first-time visitors to Haikou.

Haikou's most prestigious address for golf enthusiasts — set in a lush forest golf estate south of the city. Exceptional service, spacious suites, and an extraordinary restaurant. A short walk to Haikou International Duty Free City, one of the world's largest duty-free complexes. Away from city crowds, ideal for a true luxury resort experience. Golf packages available.

Elegant boutique-style luxury in central Haikou. Exquisite room decor with city views. Located in the International Shopping Centre building — offices share the building, giving it a more intimate feel than a typical 5-star. Good city views from upper floors. Close to Evergreen Park waterfront. Note: request a high floor for the best views. Best rates on weekdays.

Well-located 4-star on Binhai Avenue close to Evergreen Park. Very spacious rooms at competitive prices — apartments include washer, cooktop, microwave, and hot tub. Reliable housekeeping. Good location for DiDi connections to all areas. Value-for-money choice for longer stays. Noise from corridors can be audible but considerate neighbours are typical. Breakfast included in most rates.

China's leading budget hotel chain with multiple Haikou locations. Clean, functional rooms with AC, WiFi, and private bathrooms. Best for budget travellers who plan to spend most of their time sightseeing. Book on Ctrip or directly on the Rujia app. Look for branches near Qilou Old Street for the most atmospheric location. No English-speaking staff but helpful with translation apps.

The best place to eat like a local — hundreds of small vendors in the Qilou arcade streets selling Wenchang chicken rice, coconut drinks, fresh durian, Hainan noodles, deep-fried snacks, and the quintessential Qingbuliang dessert. Motorbike taxis offer ¥8 rides throughout. Extremely friendly vendors used to tourists. Visit the inner market lanes beyond the main street for authenticity.

Choose your live seafood from the wet market stalls, then take it to an adjacent cook-it-up restaurant (加工) who will prepare it steamed, grilled, or stir-fried for a small per-dish cooking fee. Lobster, prawns, crab, and reef fish all fresh and cheap compared to major cities. The Xinhua North Road seafood area (北部湾海鲜广场) is the most popular strip for this experience.

One of Haikou's most respected traditional Hainanese restaurants. An excellent place to try the classic "Four Famous Hainan Dishes" — Wenchang Chicken, Jiaji Duck, Hele Crab, and Dongshan Mutton — in a traditional setting. Popular with both locals and visitors seeking an authentic culinary introduction to the island. Book ahead on weekends.

Hainan is China's coconut capital — fresh young coconuts (老椰) are ¥8–15 and are the perfect tropical refreshment. Ask for an old coconut to scrape and eat the flesh too. Also try: fresh-cut mango with chilli salt, Hainan longan, star fruit, and mangosteen. The evening Qilou markets also sell Malaysian Musang King durian flown in daily — controversial but delicious.

Hainan's island-wide duty-free policy is extraordinary — foreign visitors and Chinese residents can purchase luxury goods, cosmetics, alcohol, and electronics duty-free up to ¥100,000 per year. Haikou International Duty Free City (near Ritz-Carlton) is one of the world's largest duty-free complexes. Also: MIXC Mall and The Land shopping centres near Evergreen Park. Best deals in luxury watches, perfume, and cosmetics.

The area beneath and around Haikou Century Bridge transforms into a lively evening scene — bars, live music venues, craft beer spots, and late-night street food. The Bund Music Restaurant nearby is a local favourite for cocktails with river views. Also try the waterfront bars in the Wanlü (Evergreen Park) zone. Haikou nightlife is relaxed and affordable compared to other major Chinese cities.