Haikou, known also as the 'Coconut City', is the capital of Hainan Province, China's second largest island. The city is the provincial administrative center of Hainan as well being the focus of the local economy, culture and transportation. Haikou stands at the northern end of Hainan Island, on the west bank of the Nandu River estuary. This river is the longest on the island and the city's name appropriately means 'Mouth of the Sea'. With the sea on three sides Haikou enjoys a long coastline that features excellent bathing beaches and sea side resorts. Holiday Beach is the most popular of these, while Xixiu Beach is where the National sailing and windsurfing teams train and hold competitions.
The downtown area of the city has an excellent environment with streets lined with coconut palms. Here there are modern and convenient public transport facilities and all that is best in a tropical seaside city that is pollution free and that meets the needs of the tourist in a friendly and welcoming way.
Besides its natural resources, Haikou has a number of important sites of historical interest. The Wugong Temple (The Five Official's Temple), the Tomb of Hai Rui and the Xiuying Emplacement each serve as reminders of the historical importance of Haikou.
No trip is complete without the opportunity to savor tempting local food and shopping opportunities. It goes without saying that for anyone coming to Haikou, seafood is definitely a must. However, the city is also famous for its other prized dishes. There are four to delight the gourmet and should not be missed. They are Wenchang Chicken, Dongshan Mutton, Jiaji Duck and Hele Crab. The climate means there is an abundance of fresh local fruits such as mangos, pineapples, jackfruits, coconuts and carambola, betelnuts, pawpaw, longan and lichee, loquat, naseberry and passion fruit. Maybe some of these will be new to you but we are sure that if you try them you will want to take come home!
As for transportation, don't worry! Hainan Meilan Airport, railway station, ship and expressway links cities of China and the whole world.
Haikou has evolved from a simple sightseeing city to an attractive seaside resort and business center. The services for visitors to the city are being extended with the aim of establishing Haikou as Southern China's key center for tourism.
Haikou Tour Information:
Hiking Tours: Information about hiking in Haikou for your reference
Bicycle Tour: Offer information about cycling in and around Haikou
Golf Tour: 8 Days Golf Tour of Haikou - Bo'ao - Sanya
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Travelers' Voices on Haikou
1.
Nov. 16,2009 04:54 Reply
Ms.sara(Frence) said:
hi . im visiting haikou in the first month next year (junary) for 3 months.and i want to know how is weather in haikou at this time
thank you in advance
Nov. 17,2009 23:05
Mr.Jack replied:
The weather of Haikou is warm that the average temperature will not below 15C. On the other hand, you will feel humid close to the sea.
2.
Nov. 17,2009 19:42 Reply
Ms.chris(singapore) said:
Which will be a better place for relaxation? Sanya or Haikou? As I will be touching down from Haikou Airport, is there any beach in Haikou? Is it safe to travel at night from Sanya to Haikou and back to Sanya should I be staying in Sanya?
How's the weather in December 2009 in Hainan? Besides Sanya, are there any other beaches in Hainan? Thank you.
Nov. 17,2009 23:02
Mr.Jack replied:
If your flight arrive in Haikou late, please stay one night there. On the next day, you could hire a cab driving you to the Asian Dragon Bay of Sanya directly. On the way, you could visit Boao. Then, please spend the other days in Sanya, where the best the beaches of China are located.
The weather is warm and somewhat humid in Hainan, which should be similar to every tropical beaches.
3.
Nov. 14,2009 07:36 Reply
Ms.chris(singapore) said:
I will be travelling to Hainan in December 2009, however i should be touching down in Haikou airport. But i would like to stay at the hotel near Sanya. How far is Haikou to Sanya? Will it be able to travel by taxi or train?
Nov. 15,2009 20:02
Mr.VIGORHE(China) replied:
It is 343 kilometers or so.It will be able to travel by coach or taxi through highway.
4.
Nov. 15,2009 12:41 Reply
Mrs.largajolli(france) said:
could you help me to find exactly "public beach on bei hai Road" ?
It's the start for chinaironman and I can't see it on the map.
Thank you in advance
Nov. 15,2009 19:58
Mr.VIGORHE(China) replied:
The public beach is Holiday Beach on Binhai Avenue,Haikou.The Sharaton Resort Hotel is located on the Avenue.
5.
Nov. 11,2009 08:55 Reply
Mr.Lim(Malaysia) said:
I plan to visit Haikou in July next year and want to how is the whether during this month?
May I know at least how many day should I spend to look around?
Nov. 12,2009 03:50
Mr.Frankie replied:
July is the hot rainy season in Haikou. If you just visit Haikou, three days will be enough. Highly recommend you go to visit Sanya.
6.
Nov. 10,2009 22:00 Reply
Mr.Cheng(Malaysia) said:
I am visiting a place in Sanya which is called “110” Agricultural Technical Services of Hainan Province” where visitors are introduced to the herbs/medicinal plants growing in their compound. Is there an entrance fee to this place, and how much would be cost per person. Thanks.
Nov. 11,2009 01:24
Mr.Shan replied:
I know a popular traveling place called Binlang Village has 110 Agricultural Technical Services, located in Fenghuang Town, just about 10 minutes away from downtown Sanya by bus. It is free for travellers to visit.
7.
Nov. 7,2009 03:30 Reply
Mr.Sam(Australia) said:
I have a leaflet "Brief Introduction to Haimen".
I cant read chinese but it has the following in english. The sea has the gate, the gate is in Hainan Island. The gate is in the Sun-moon Bay. At the time when the fable humanity ancestors "The Pan Gu King" created the world, he opened the sea gate for the chinese nation and he exhausted his final strength with a palm cutting the megalith in two parts. He fell down. His body turned into the sierra, the blood vessel turned into rivers, the palm of the hand has been left the sun-moon bay (one of Taiwan village scenic spot). The moving fable had driven the innumerable China's youth bravery run out of Haimen, walking toward the world.
I understand one can visit this site and there are performances, food tasting, painting, sculpture and a historical guide of the site.
Could anyone advise me if there is any entrance fee to this site, if yes there is an entrance, how much would it cost per person, Monday to Friday, weekends?
Looking foward to your reply.
Thank you.
Nov. 9,2009 03:04
Mr.Jack replied:
The scenic spot is in Wanning City nearby Sun-Moon Bay. It is open all year round and the entrace fee is 30RMB. Much neraer from Sanya City.
8.
Nov. 5,2009 17:34 Reply
Mr.Paul(Malaysia) said:
I am visiting Hainan Island in 2 weeks time and am looking at visiting a tourist spot "Taiwan Haimen Village".
I wish to visit the park where they show the history of how people live and dance performance etc.
Can you tell me the cost of the entrance fee to this visitor centre. thanks
Nov. 5,2009 21:14
Ms.Emma replied:
Haven't found the village you metioned. But, the Chinese Folk Culture Village located in Tongshi City, Hainan. Here, you could enjoy a great number of local buildings, traditions and performances.
Nov. 5,2009 23:55
Mr.Paul(Malaysia) replied:
Ms Emma
Thank you for the information, do you know what is the entrance fee to the Chinese Folk Culture Village located in Tongshi City Hainan. we understand they have performances within the village.
Nov. 8,2009 21:32
Mr.Jack replied:
Tongshi City is present Wuzhishan City. As I know the entrace fee for the village is 60RMB.
9.
Nov. 5,2009 18:55 Reply
Mr.Chen(Singapore) said:
Hello
We had a lovely time visiting Hainan Island and am looking forward to visiting again soon.
We went tea tasting at Hainan Wuzhi Mountain Ecological Kuding Tea Factory, Ecological Tea Centre and was impressed with their tea.
What a disappointment and with sadness that we were cheated when we discovered that inspite of spending more than 1000 Renminbi at the centre they gave us an old teapot which they had washed and put it back in its box – pretending that it is a new one.
We bought 2 teapots, one was brand new but the other was an old one which is still WET when we unpacked it (4 days later) when we got home. This used teapot had stains and scratches all over.
The other setback was one packet of tea was opened, we weigh the contents and found that it s only 90 gm instead of 100gm.
Its really SAD that this has happened and We hope this acts as a WARNING to other tourists and certainly we will never go back to this tea centre again ever. Remember to check all the goods in its boxes before paying for them.
10.
Nov. 2,2009 21:58 Reply
Mr.Traveler(Canada) said:
Can I get a visa on arrival at the Haikou airport, I am Canadian, traveling alone arriving
from KL, Malaysia. Thank-you
Nov. 3,2009 01:23
Mr.Sam replied:
Yes, you could apply for on-site visa for 15-days' stay when you arrive at Hailou Meilan Airport.