Top 8 Things to Do in Haikou

The first thing to do in Haikou is to visit this famous historical and cultural streetscape. Qilou Old Street has an area of 2sq.km (0.8 sq. mi) and the length of 4km (2.5 mi). In the past, 13 countries established consulates, churches, post offices, banks and residences in both baroque and south Asian architectural styles here between 1840 and 1912. Today, visitors can still see about six hundred three- or four-storey theatre pavilions, religious sites, tea houses and villas. The modern vitality of Qilou Old Street thrives in cafeterias, boutiques and galleries. Tourists can readily savor local desserts, rice noodles, salty lemonade and other dishes at the Qilou Snack Street.

As the most well-known local beach, a visit to Holiday Beach is another top thing to do in Haikou for tourists. This beach is on the west side of Binhai Avenue. It covers a length of 7km (4.3 mi), densely interspersed with coconut trees and oil palms. The beach is divided into four areas, including a sunbathing area, marine sports area, dining area and recreation area. East of the beach in a Roman-style architecture is where tourists can enjoy water ballet, high diving and other performances. In addition, Holiday Beach is popular for its barbecue zone. Pretty scenery and delicious food are a perfect match!

Listed as ‘The Global Geopark’ by UNESCO in 2006, Leiqiong Global Geopark is characterized by 101 volcanos formed through the eruption of steam magma and basaltic magma in ancient times. Tourists can appreciate over 40 volcano cones and over 30 lava tunnels here. It is worth mentioning that Ma’An Ling Crater in Leiqiong Geopark is the highest place in Haikou. On coming here, tourists can enjoy the panorama of the whole city. Longmen Waterfall is another attraction to wonder at the majesty of nature because of its length of 130m (426.5ft) and the height of 18m (60ft).

Feng Xiaogang Movie Town is considered as the “Hollywood in Hainan”, being the location used for many famous films. Three streets are the main scenic spots: Traditional Beijing Street represents the architectural style of Beijing in 1950s and 1960s; 1942 Street has the buildings in Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai city in the late 1930s; and Nanyang Street reproduces the Southeast Asian architectural style in the Pearl River Basin from 1920s to 1950s. The Avenue of Stars and three theme areas, including Park View Area, Church and Square and the Movie Studio, are also worth visiting. If you want to know how it feels being an actor, just come here! Some stores provide various costumes such as mandarin gowns, military uniforms and school uniforms. They also have photographers to capture the moment for you.

Evergreen Park is in the middle section of Haikou's Binhai Avenue and has an area of 71.3ha (0.27 sq. mi). It features a large area of tropical and ecological scenery, including nearly 10,000 coconut trees and other ornamental plants. There are also children’s recreation area, lawns, bamboos, and golf courses.

If you are interested in history, visiting Hainan Museum is another top thing to do in Haikou. It is the ideal place in which to learn about Hainan’s history and culture, and the customs of local ethnic minorities are also presented here. Four halls in the museum are highly recommended. Stoneware Hall has the superior collections from the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) and Song Dynasty (960-1279AD). In Pottery and Porcelain Hall, tourists can feast their eyes uopn celadon glaze, bluish-white glaze and blue-white porcelain from Song Dynasty to Qing Dynasty (960-1911AD). Metal Hall exhibits excavated bronzeware dating from Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD). And in Calligraphy and Painting Hall, tourists can appreciate the masters’ ingenious strokes and compositions dating from Ming Dynasty to Qing Dynasty (1368-1911 AD).

Haikou Clock Tower has been a symbolic city landmarks since it was set there in 1928. The present six-storey tower replaced the original in the 1930's and has a steel frame covered in red bricks. Its height is 28m (91.9ft). The masonry of red bricks and pointing of white lime were copied from the buildings in Guangzhou and Shanghai city in the 1920s. On the top storey is the big clock, which is equipped with a plastic dial of 2-meter (78.7-inch) diameter, a 0.53-meter (20.8-inch) hour hand and a 1-meter (39.4-inch) minute hand. This clock tells time every thirty minutes in a clear and resonant sound through four horns controlled by an amplifier and originally was for the benefit of shipping in the harbor.

Temple of Five Lords (Wugong Ci) is an ancient architectural complex built in the Period of Wanli in Ming Dynasty (1573-1620) in honor of five famous officials banished to Hainan during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). These officials engaged in public undertakings and civilizing local people, playing a crucial role in Hainan history. Wugong Temple, the main building, is a two-storey wooden structure and regarded as the “No.1 Building in Hainan”. To the left of Wugong Temple stands the Sugong Temple in memory of Su Shi, a literary giant in Song Dynasty. Thus, many of his poems and inscriptions are exhibited inside. Other temples including Guanjia Temple, Xuepu Temple, and Xixin Temple are the ancillary buildings, and also bear witness to the historical and cultural vicissitude of Hainan.