Haikou 2025 Guide: Must-see attractions, local cuisine, and practical tips! | Trip.com

Discover Haikou's Historical Gems

Explore Haikou's rich history by visiting the Five Figures' Temple, Sotte Porticos Streets Maikou, and Hainan Museum. These sites offer a glimpse into the city's cultural heritage and architectural beauty.

Embrace Nature's Beauty

Hike to the summit of Leiqiong Global Geopark for panoramic views and explore the unique volcanic landscapes, hike up the craters, visit lava tunnels, additionally, explore the mangrove forests at Hongshulin Museum. These natural wonders offer diverse flora and fauna.

Relax at Holiday Beach Side Resort

Holiday Beach Side Resort is perfect for relaxation and recreation. Enjoy the sun, sand, and sea, and take part in various water sports or simply relax and watch the sunset.

Stroll Through Evergreen Garden

Evergreen Garden is ideal for a leisurely stroll with its lush greenery, scenic lakes, and various recreational facilities.

Experience the Vibrant Culture of Arcades

Explore Sotte Porticos Streets Maikou, known for its arcades blending Chinese and European influences. The street houses shops, restaurants, and cultural gems.

Delve into Qiong Opera

Immerse yourself in Qiong Opera, a traditional art form with elaborate costumes, expressive singing, and captivating storytelling.You can also attend a performance of it to experience the local culture and artistic expression.

Visit the Hainan Museum

The Hainan Museum offers a comprehensive look at the island's history, culture, and natural environment with exhibits of ancient artifacts and cultural relics.

Partake in the Joy of the Hainan Island International Tourism Island Carnival

Don't miss the vibrant Hainan Island International Tourism Island Carnival in spring, featuring parades, performances, and festivities showcasing the island's culture.

Participate in Local Festivals

Join the Hainan International Coconut Festival, celebrating the island's coconut culture with various activities, performances, and coconut-related products.

Savor the Flavors of Hainanese Cuisine

Indulge in Hainanese Chicken Rice, Wenchang Chicken, and fresh seafood, highlighting the diverse flavors of Hainanese cuisine.

Explore Haikou's Shopping Districts

Visit Haixiu Road Shopping Street and Mingzhu Square for a variety of shopping options, including local crafts and souvenirs.

Capture the Beauty of Haikou Century Bridge

Capture stunning photographs of Haikou Century Bridge, especially enchanting at night when its lights reflect on the water.

Photograph the Haikou Clock Tower

Capture the essence of Haikou at the iconic clock tower, especially picturesque at night when beautifully illuminated.

Haikou is known for its diverse attractions ranging from the geological marvels of Leiqiong UNESCO Global Geopark and rich biodiversity of Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park, to the historic Qilou Old Street, culturally immersive Mission Hills H‧Brothers Feng Xiaogang Film Commune, and the informative Hainan Museum, providing visitors a comprehensive and engaging exploration of nature, history, and culture.

Leiqiong UNESCO Global Geopark, celebrated for its geological attractions, features a variety of volcanic formations formed from eruptions of steam and basaltic magma. The park includes remarkable sites such as numerous craters, extensive lava tunnels, and the Maanling crater providing breathtaking scenic views. Labeled as the "Tropical Volcanic Ecological Museum of China," it underscores both the ecological richness and the volcanic heritage, enhanced by educational exhibits of ancient volcanic rocks.

Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park in Haikou, renowned for its vast array of wildlife and lush botanical settings, offers an immersive experience in nature conservation and education. Key attractions include the largest Lion Park, Macaque Park, and Bird Garden in Asia, allowing for up-close wildlife encounters in a mostly free-roaming environment. The park facilitates educational and engaging visitor interactions with over 4,000 animals from 200 species, making it a critical site for animal conservation and scientific learning.

Qilou Old Street in Haikou, famous for its arcade architecture, reflects a diverse cultural heritage with its array of European, Asian, and Indian-Arabic architectural styles. This street is both a historical site and a vibrant cultural hub, where visitors can enjoy a rich urban atmosphere, traditional arts like Qiong Opera, and engaging art exhibitions.

At Mission Hills H‧Brothers Feng Xiaogang Film Commune, visitors can explore a vivid recreation of historical and cultural scenes across different themed areas like the 1942 Street, Nanyang Street, and Traditional Beijing Street. The Avenue of Stars showcases celebrity signatures, paralleling Hollywood's and Hong Kong's versions but with its distinctive artistic base. Additionally, the large Movie Studio spans 8,000 square meters, enriching visitors' experience with film and architecture. This location offers a deep dive into Chinese cinema history and cultural exploration within its architecturally themed districts.

Hainan Museum in Haikou is known for its comprehensive displays that illustrate Hainan's history, culture, and people through over 26,000 items. Its modern design and use of advanced technology allow visitors to engage deeply with both permanent and rotating thematic exhibitions. Positioned near other attractions and shopping centers, the museum is a cultural hub in Haikou.

Haikou boasts a rich culinary scene characterized by dishes like Hainan noodles, coconut rice, Wenchang chicken, and an array of fresh seafood. It offers an enticing mix of unique local delights and tropical tastes, widely beloved by both visitors for their delicious diversity.

Hainan rice noodles, a renowned street food in Haikou, come in two variations: thick and thin. Thick noodles are served in a beef broth with shrimp paste and green onions. Thin noodles, known as "pickled noodles," are more elaborate, garnished with pickled vegetables, meat strips, bean sprouts, and green onions, all blended with a thickening sauce to enrich the taste.

Coconut rice, a quintessential rural Hainanese delicacy, is often referred to as "Coconut Boat." This dish consists of glutinous rice cooked with coconut meat and coconut milk, encased by a layer of coconut meat, resulting in a fragrant coconut-infused sticky rice. Widely available in most restaurants, coconut rice serves as a hearty main dish, embodying the essence of the tropics.

Wenchang chicken is one of Hainan’s four celebrated dishes, named after a distinct breed of chicken from Wenchang known for its crispy skin, soft bones, and tender, smooth meat that is rich yet not greasy. In Hainan, this chicken is often served "bai qie" style, which highlights its flavors exquisitely. Accompanied by a bowl of chicken oil infused rice, it inspired the renowned Singaporean dish, "Hainanese chicken rice."

Haikou is renowned for its abundant and diverse range of seafood, including Hele crabs, pipi shrimp, and squid. Travelers visiting Haikou typically purchase seafood and have it prepared at local processing points. The seafood can be prepared in various ways such as with garlic, through steaming, or stir-frying to preserve its natural flavors, and can also be tailored to the customers' culinary preferences.

Haikou's transportation infrastructure is well-developed, with Haikou Meilan International Airport and Haikou Railway Station being the primary gateways for intercity travel.

Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) is the largest airport in Hainan and a significant aviation hub, located 25 km southeast of Haikou's city center. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 2 recently opened to accommodate the increasing passenger and cargo traffic. To reach the city from the airport, travelers can take a taxi or the airport express bus, which operates in sync with flight schedules and takes about 30 minutes to the city center.

Haikou Railway Station, situated approximately 20 km from the downtown area, is known for being China's first ecotype railway station. It serves as the northern terminal for the Hainan eastern and western ring high-speed railways. Passengers can take public buses No. 28, 35, 37, 40, and 57 to reach the city from the station. The station also connects to Haikou East Railway Station and Meilan International Airport, providing access to various destinations within and outside of Hainan Island.

Haikou offers an extensive city-bus network with 151 lines that connect to all major spots in the city, including Haikou Meilan Airport, Xiuying Port, and various tourist attractions. The buses are self-service ticketing with fares ranging from CNY1-20, and they generally operate from 6:00 a.m. to around 11:00 p.m.. Additionally, there are special tourist buses that provide convenient access to popular sites such as Evergreen Park and Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park.

Taxis in Haikou are readily available and can be a convenient way to navigate the city. The flag-down rate is CNY10 for the first 3km, followed by CNY2 for each additional kilometer, as well as a CNY1 fuel fee per ride. Taxis are a common sight and can be hailed almost everywhere in the city.

Senmiao Technology Limited has introduced an online ride-hailing platform in Haikou, which has been operational since December 17, 2021. This service has completed over 2,000 rides and is part of the city's growing transportation options, providing an alternative to traditional taxi services. Additionally, DiDi, another ride-hailing app, is mentioned as a convenient option for transportation in Haikou.

Haikou’s accommodation scene is spread across various neighborhoods, each offering unique experiences and amenities.

Qilou Old Street in Longhua District is renowned for its historic significance and unique blend of Eastern and Western architecture. It is a cultural and commercial center featuring arcade houses where the ground floor is usually commercial and upper floors serve as residences. These structures protect against sun and rain, making the shopping experience pleasant. Qilou Old Street is also a great place for photography enthusiasts and culture seekers, with its old-world charm and an array of cafes and boutique shops. Public transport accessibility is excellent with numerous bus routes serving the area.

Xinhai Port Terminal is located in the Xiuying District and is a key maritime and transportation hub. This terminal is part of the larger Haikou Port and features advanced facilities supporting passenger and freight activities. The terminal is closely linked with the development of the Hainan free trade port, suggesting an increase in commercial activity and international tourism potential in the area. Transport options include buses and taxis, which connect the terminal to other parts of Haikou and the island at large.

Holiday Beach, situated in the Xiuying District along Binhai Avenue, is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists. This extended beachfront offers zones for sea sports, food and culture, family fun, and relaxation. Facilities include various water sports, a fishing club, a children’s activity center, and areas for leisure with options of villas and chalets for accommodation. The area is well-connected by public transport, making it easily accessible for visitors.

The best time to visit Haikou is from November to April. During these months, the weather is pleasant with less rainfall and a reduced risk of typhoons, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. This period avoids the rainy season from May to October and the typhoon season from June to September, ensuring a more comfortable travel experience. Whether you're looking to explore the city's historical sites or relax in its beautiful parks, this is the optimal time to enjoy all that Haikou has to offer.

Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, is a melting pot of cultures and languages due to its immigrant population. Mandarin Chinese is the official language, widely spoken and understood. For non-Mandarin speakers, translation apps and local interpretation services can be helpful. The city's multilingualism stems from its diverse population and tourism. When facing language barriers, visitors can use universal gestures, maps, and facial expressions to communicate.

Alipay: First-rate application allowing you to make payments at almost all shops and services, and even use it for public transportation and taxis by scanning QR codes.

WeChat: Essential for communication, social media, and digital wallet functions, enabling payments for meals, taxis, and more, without needing any physical cash or cards.

DiDi Chuxing: Comparable to Uber, DiDi lets you book rides even without a Chinese phone number via integration with Alipay, making it a handy choice for travel in Haikou.

Baidu Maps: The go-to navigation app in China providing accurate, real-time navigation that's more reliable than Google Maps, essential for navigating Haikou's streets.

WAYGO: Solves language barriers by instantly translating Chinese, Japanese, and Korean text into English without needing an internet connection, perfect for reading signs and menus on-the-go.

Mobile data packages for travelers in China are available through local carriers such as China Mobile and China Unicom. China Mobile offers prepaid data SIM cards with unlimited text messages and calls within China, and high-speed connections, sometimes even 5G. China Unicom provides SIM cards with data packs that include unlimited music applications, and both do not require long-term contracts. Prices for eSIMs with unlimited data start at just $6 for China.

Public WiFi in China is widely available in places like airports, restaurants, coffee shops, and malls. However, connecting to these networks often requires a Chinese phone number for text verification, which can be a challenge for travelers without a local SIM card. Global WiFi devices like Skyroam can be a convenient alternative, offering the ability to connect multiple devices and requiring no additional setup upon arrival in China.

Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with hot and humid weather year-round. Winters are mild, with occasional cold and windy days, while summers are hot, humid, and rainy. The city is prone to typhoons from June to mid-November. Visitors should pack light, breathable clothing, and a waterproof jacket for the rainy season. During periods of high temperatures, it is advisable to minimize outdoor activities and take measures to prevent heatstroke. For protection against the intense sun, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. In case of lightning alerts or high temperature warnings, follow local authority guidelines to ensure safety.

In Haikou, preferred payment methods for foreign tourists include Weixin Pay, Alipay, UnionPay mobile payments, major international credit cards like VISA and Mastercard, e-CNY digital currency, and cash payments.

Weixin Pay requires adding funds at local branches like China Everbright Bank. Linking overseas bank cards to Alipay or Weixin Pay provides conveniences for foreign tourists.

UnionPay’s ‘E Money’ card and UnionPay QR codes offer comprehensive payment solutions, tied with 170 other mobile payment apps globally. Payment with international credit cards and e-CNY via NFC-equipped smartphones are widely accepted options. Lastly, withdrawing cash or exchanging currency is readily accessible throughout Haikou.

Foreign tourists should consider the fees when using ATMs, which might include transaction costs.