Discover the Capital’s Best Cultural, Historical, and Coastal Experiences
As the capital of Hainan Province, Haikou offers a unique blend of tropical nature, colonial-era architecture, and modern innovation. Whether you’re exploring volcanic landscapes, historic temples, or futuristic libraries, Haikou is a destination rich in both tradition and transformation.
⭐ 1. 🏛️ Qilou Old Street (Arcade Street)
📍 Location: Zhongshan Road & Bo’ai Road, Downtown Haikou
✨ Highlights:
Over 600 well-preserved arcade-style buildings blending Chinese and Western influences
Vibrant night markets, local snack stalls, and indie cafés
🌟 Experience:
Stroll beneath shaded arcades, admire colonial facades, and savor Hainanese snacks like coconut cakes and sticky rice dumplings. Especially lively in the evening.
⭐ 2. 🌋 Haikou Volcano Cluster Global Geopark
📍 Location: Xiuying District, ~15 km from city center
✨ Highlights:
Extinct volcanic craters, lava caves, and panoramic viewpoints (up to 223 m)
Natural hot springs, volcanic tea and coffee plantations
🌟 Experience:
Follow scenic walking trails, learn about Hainan’s geological history, and relax in mineral-rich thermal pools.
⭐ 3. 🌳 Dongzhai Port Mangrove Nature Reserve
📍 Location: Meilan District coastal estuary
✨ Highlights:
2,500 hectares of lush mangrove forest
Home to 200+ bird species and diverse marine life
🌟 Experience:
Take a boat tour through twisting mangrove channels, enjoy birdwatching, and explore one of China’s most important wetland ecosystems.
⭐ 4. 🗼 Baishamen Lighthouse & Park
📍 Location: Northeast Haidian Island
✨ Highlights:
China’s second-tallest lighthouse (236 ft)
Adjacent park with a beach, playgrounds, and shaded picnic spots
🌟 Experience:
Enjoy coastal walks, climb to the lighthouse for sea views, and take in unforgettable sunset photos.
⭐ 5. 📚 Wormhole Library & Century Bridge
📍 Location: Haikou Bay’s southeast waterfront
✨ Highlights:
Iconic Wormhole Library, designed by MAD Architects—white, sculptural, futuristic
Panoramic views of Century Bridge, one of Hainan’s most famous landmarks
🌟 Experience:
Read by the sea, take architectural photos, and stroll along the scenic bayfront promenade.
⭐ 6. ⛩️ Temple of the Five Lords (Wugong Ci)
📍 Location: ~5 km southeast of city center
✨ Highlights:
Memorial site for five Tang and Song Dynasty officials exiled to Hainan
Traditional halls, ancestral shrines, and tranquil gardens
🌟 Experience:
Step back in time while walking through ancient architecture and reflecting on Hainan’s historic role as a place of exile.
⭐ 7. 🕰️ Haikou Clock Tower
📍 Location: Bo’ai Road, north end
✨ Highlights:
Gothic-style red brick tower built in 1929, rebuilt in the 1980s
Historic symbol of colonial-era Haikou
🌟 Experience:
A great photo stop with nearby riverfront cafés and shops.
⭐ 8. 🌴 Evergreen Park & Holiday Beach
📍 Location: Binhai Avenue, west coast Haikou
✨ Highlights:
Spacious urban coastal park with gardens, bike paths, and paddleboats
Adjacent Holiday Beach: 6 km of sand with swimming, windsurfing, and seafood BBQ zones
🌟 Experience:
Enjoy a full day of family fun, outdoor sports, or relaxing by the sea. At night, join locals for beach bonfires and BBQs.
⭐ 9. 🎬 Movie Town Haikou (冯小刚电影公社)
📍 Location: ~8 km south of Haikou, near Mission Hills
✨ Highlights:
Life-sized film sets recreating 1940s–60s China
Themed streets: Republic-era Beijing, Nanyang, European-style architecture
🌟 Experience:
Walk through selfie-ready film scenes, learn about Chinese cinema, and attend cultural events or film premieres.
⭐ 10. 🏺 Hainan Provincial Museum & Other Museums
📍 Locations: Various, mainly city center and Baishamen area
✨ Highlights:
Hainan Museum: Local history, shipwreck exhibits, ethnic artifacts
Family-friendly options near Baishamen with interactive exhibits and rides
🌟 Experience:
Great for a rainy-day cultural dive or adding educational depth to your trip.
✈️ Travel Tips for Haikou Visitors
📌 Tip Category | 🧭 Recommendations |
---|---|
🗓️ Best Travel Time | October to March – Pleasant 22–28 °C and lower humidity |
🚕 Getting Around | Taxis, public buses, and ride-hailing apps like Didi work well |
💳 Payments | Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay are widely accepted |
🗣️ Language | Very little English – download a translator app for signs and conversations |
🍽️ Halal/Dietary | Look for green Halal signs; try Wenchang chicken, coconut rice, beef noodles |
🌟 Why Visit Haikou?
✅ Gateway to the rest of Hainan
✅ Rich in history, green spaces, and modern architecture
✅ Ideal for cultural travelers, families, and slow-paced sightseeing
Whether you’re beginning your Hainan adventure or ending it with reflection and coastal views, Haikou offers something for everyone—from volcanic parks to poetic temples, and from futuristic design to century-old traditions.