landmark
Haikou Volcanic Cluster
Dormant volcanic craters surrounded by basalt lava villages. Climb Ma'an Ridge crater via stone steps; wear shoes with good grip.
Vraag ParleyChina
Haikou
Arcade architecture, morning tea, and Hainan's northern port.
introduction
Overview
Haikou sits on the northern coast of Hainan, serving as the island's administrative center and primary transit hub. Southward tourists rush straight to Sanya, leaving Haikou's early 20th-century arcade streets relatively uncrowded. Buses connect the historic downtown to coastal parks and the high-speed rail ring line. You come here to drink Hainanese morning tea, study Southeast Asian migration history, and experience a working tropical city.
Airport high-speed rail access
Meilan Airport integrates directly with the high-speed rail station. You can board a train to central Haikou right from the terminal.
Global Geopark status
UNESCO designated the Haikou Volcanic Cluster a Global Geopark for its basalt lava structures and dormant craters.
Duty-free collection workflow
Duty-free purchases made downtown require collection at Meilan Airport or the ferry terminal before departure.
Haikou
Anna Frodesiak · CC0
Longhua — Colonial arcade streets, traditional markets, and dense neighborhood eateries.
User:Vmenkov · CC BY-SA 3.0
Meilan — Modern residential avenues, university pockets, and riverside parklands.
Lhzss8 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Xiuying — Coastal developments, port infrastructure, and spacious public beaches.
Anna Frodesiak · CC0
Qiongshan — Inland historic quarter featuring old academies, temples, and quiet alleys.
kaurjmeb · CC BY 2.0
A hot bowl of Zaobocu sour seafood noodle soup.
No machine-readable author provided. Terence assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY 2.5highlights
Highlights
landmark
Five Officials Temple
A memorial complex commemorating five exiled Song and Tang dynasty officials. Ancient trees shade the classic Hainanese timber architecture.
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landmark
Evergreen Park
A massive seaside park facing the Qiongzhou Strait. Locals gather here at dusk for group dancing, coconut water, and sea breezes.
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landmark
Haikou Bay Boardwalk
A paved pedestrian route stretching along the bay past the Wormhole Library. Best visited around sunset when light hits Century Bridge.
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On the map
areas
Where life happens
Longhua
Colonial arcade streets, traditional markets, and dense neighborhood eateries.
Qilou architectureOld town marketsLocal coffee
AfwegingNarrow streets clog easily with scooter traffic.
DichtbijQilou Street and Haikou Clock Tower.
Vraag ParleyMeilan
Modern residential avenues, university pockets, and riverside parklands.
Hainan UniversityNandu River viewsAirport train link
AfwegingFewer historic buildings than Longhua.
DichtbijMeilan Airport rail link and Haidong River.
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Coastal developments, port infrastructure, and spacious public beaches.
Holiday BeachWestern portModern resorts
AfwegingSprawling distance requires taxis or buses.
DichtbijHoliday Beach and Xiuying Port.
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Inland historic quarter featuring old academies, temples, and quiet alleys.
Wugong TempleAcademiesQuiet streets
AfwegingLacks direct sea views or coastal promenades.
DichtbijFive Officials Temple and Qiongtai Academy.
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Zaobocu vinegar, local poultry, and old-street morning tea
Eating in Haikou revolves around fresh poultry, seafood poached in aromatic broths, and unique vinegar bases. Morning tea (laobacha) is a daily habit where locals drink sweetened tea alongside steamed buns and noodles in open-air coffee shops. At night, seafood markets serve fish caught in the Qiongzhou Strait cooked to order.
A hot bowl of Zaobocu sour seafood noodle soup.
No machine-readable author provided. Terence assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY 2.5- Try Zaobocu soup
This fermented lees vinegar soup base comes loaded with seafood, offal, and kelp. It balances sharp acidity with subtle chili heat.
- Experience Laobacha
Sit down around 14:00 at a neighborhood tea shop. Order condensed milk coffee, pine-nut pastries, and rice roll dim sum.
- Order authentic Wenchang chicken
Steamed poached chicken served with garlic, yellow lantern chili paste, and fresh calamansi squeeze over ginger soy dip.
history
A short history
Haikou grew as a port for Qiongshan, the ancient capital city located inland. Trade with Southeast Asia transformed the port in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Returning merchants built arcaded streets blending European and Asian styles. In 1988, Hainan became a standalone province and Special Economic Zone, turning Haikou into its administrative seat.
- 1858
Treaty Port Era
The Treaty of Tientsin opens Haikou to foreign trade, sparking merchant immigration across Southeast Asia.
- 1924
Qilou Arcade Boom
Overseas Chinese return with capital to construct rows of Sino-Portuguese arcade buildings downtown.
- 1988
Provincial Capital
Hainan separates from Guangdong to become China's largest Special Economic Zone with Haikou as capital.
where to stay
Where to stay
Choose your base by your priority: heritage proximity, coastal access, or transit connections. Longhua keeps you within walking distance of historic arcade streets and local food stalls. Xiuying offers beachfront resorts away from commercial density. Meilan suits quick layovers with its direct rail connection to Meilan Airport.
- Heritage walkersLonghua — Puts you steps from Qilou Old Street and morning tea shops.
- Beachgoers & familiesXiuying — Offers wide coastal parks and resort-style hotel space.
- Short layoversMeilan — Provides fast access to Meilan Airport and high-speed rail lines.
- History enthusiastsQiongshan — Places you near ancient temples away from heavy tour groups.
Live rates, matched to the areas above.
Vignette Collection Haikou Yatter Hotel by IHG
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The Ritz-Carlton, Haikou
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InterContinental Haikou Seaview by IHG
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Hong Yuan Hotel by The Crest Collection
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The Langham Haikou
Vraag Parleytransport
Getting around
Haikou features a straightforward transport network anchored by high-speed rail and city buses. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are cheap and readily available across all urban districts.
Vanaf Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK)
- Train10–15 min¥7–10
Suburban train connects Meilan Airport directly to Haikou East Railway Station.
- Taxi35–45 min¥70–90
Use official taxi queues outside arrivals or app rides; tolls are included on meters.
- Bus50–60 min¥20
Airport Express buses run directly to downtown hotel nodes.
High-speed trains link Haikou Railway Station, Haikou East, and Meilan Airport in minutes.
Scan Alipay or WeChat Pay transport codes directly at bus turnstiles; exact cash is rarely needed.
Meters start at ¥10. Standard drivers expect mobile payment, though cash is legally accepted.
cost
What things cost
Haikou is significantly less expensive than southern resort towns on Hainan. Street food and local tea houses offer cheap dining, while taxi fares remain modest.
- Morning tea (Laobacha): ¥20–40
Covers a pot of tea and two to three dim sum plates at a neighborhood open-air shop.
- Zaobocu seafood bowl: ¥25–45
Includes rice noodles, fresh squid, clams, and offal in fermented sour broth.
- City bus fare: ¥2
Flat rate across most city bus routes using QR code payments.
- Geopark entry ticket: ¥55
Standard adult admission to the Haikou Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark.
seasonality
When to go
NOV – FEB
Mild, comfortable weather (18–24°C). Peak domestic travel period; book hotels in advance.
Drukte
Heat
MAR – MAY
Warm and pleasant before summer humidity hits. Excellent balance of low crowds and clear days.
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Heat
JUN – AUG
Hot and tropical (30–35°C) with afternoon rainstorms. Sea swims are pleasant, but humidity is high.
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Heat
SEP – OCT
Typhoon season risk. Rain is frequent, though hotels lower prices significantly.
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Heat
practicalities
Good to know
- Pack tropical sun protection
UV levels remain strong year-round. Carry a hat and sunblock even on overcast days.
- Set up digital payments before arrival
Link your credit card to WeChat Pay or Alipay; small vendors rarely hold cash change.
- Observe mid-day rest hours
Small local shops and street vendors may close between 13:00 and 15:00 during summer heat.
- Learn basic local gestures
Few local street vendors speak English. Pointing at food displays or using translation apps works fine.
- Mind sea swimming flags
Rip currents affect beaches along Holiday Beach. Swim only in designated zones with lifeguards.