Hainan Province is the second largest island off the Chinese mainland, the largest being Taiwan. Hainan is the more southerly of the two and is nearer to the mainland, separated only by narrow straights. Hainan is the largest special economic zone of China.

Haikou, the provincial capital has a tropical marine climate with an average annual temperature of 20C (68F). Its spring is warm with almost drought conditions but the high summer temperatures bring heavy rain in their wake. Autumn is a season of typhoons and rain storms. It can feel quite cold in winter by contrast. As a rule, the best time to travel is between November and the following April. From May to October Haikou has its rainy seasons, with the precipitation reaching a peak during September. As high temperatures warm the waters of the South China Sea from June to September tropical storms (hurricanes), known here as typhoons, are driven toward the coast and Haikou can experience force 8 storms that cause considerable problems for traffic.

Besides the national festivals celebrated across the country by the Chinese people such as the Spring Festival, National Day and the International Labor Day, etc., Haikou celebrates a number of local festivals.

Coconut Festival:

This takes place during late March or early April. Hainan Island is known as the 'Coconut Island' and the unique Hainan International Coconut Festival is held in Haikou each year. The largest and most influential local festival of Hainan, it attracts tourists all over the world. The festival is designed to enhance local commerce and features tourism, culture, folk customs, sports and economic issues and trade. The coconut culture and folk customs of the Li and Miao minorities make a special contribution to the celebrations.

Huanhua Festival (Flower Exchanging Festival):

Celebrated on January 15 of the Chinese lunar calendar, the Chinese Lantern Festival, the Huanhua Festival is a joyful event. On this day people exchange flowers to pray for a happy life in the coming year. The rose is the most popular flower chosen for exchanging. The grandest sight of this festival is to be found along the street between Haifu Road and Fucheng Town in the Qiongshan District.

Minority Groups

As well as the Han people, there are a number of minority groups living in the province. The Li Ethnic Minority Group is the native group of Hainan. With a population of over 1.3 million, they inhabit the Mt. Wuzhishan and southwestern areas of the Island. The Li Minority has a close cultural relationship with Zhuang and Buyi minorities. Their most famous product, Li Brocade, has been greatly admired since the Tang Dynasty (618-907).