Haikou

Haikou is a tropical coastal city with a population consisting mostly of immigrants from other provinces. As one of the least developed provincial capitals, Haikou has a somewhat laid-back atmosphere but many development projects are in progress.
Many streets in Haikou are quite different during the day compared to the evening. You will soon notice the abundance of coconut trees within Haikou. Most streets are lined with them. It is greener than most Chinese cities and has decent air quality.
The downtown does not have many tourist attractions and the water in its only beach area is murky but as a transport hub, it can be conveniently served as a base for traveling to some cities on the north of Hainan.

Haikou is a transport hub with flights to many cities and boats to nearby mainland cities such as Beihai and Zhanjiang.

By plane

• Haikou Meilan International Airport

  phone: +86 898 65760114
  address: Lingshan Town, Meilan District (美兰区灵山镇)
  The airport has two terminals, including a domestic terminal and an international terminal. A free shuttle bus service conveys passengers between the two terminals.

Flight examples below with one-way economy class prices (Mar 2017). Discounts of up to 50% are not unusual.

• From/to Beijing (3hr50min) ¥2,700
• From/to Guangzhou (1h10min) ¥1,340

Local airlines Hainan Airlines has domestic flights to many Chinese cities as well as some international destinations such as Bangkok, Osaka, Sydney, Melbourne and Rome. In addition, Haikou is well-served by other Chinese airlines, particularly China Southern Airlines.
There are also international flights to Hong Kong on Hong Kong Airlines, Taipei on China Airlines, Seoul on Jeju Air Singapore on Scoot Tigerair and Jetstar, Kuala Lumpur on Malaysian Airlines, Penang on Malindo Air, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap on Cambodia Angkor Air and Bandar Seri Begawan on Royal Brunei Airlines.

By train

From the mainland
There is a train link between Haikou and Guangdong province (the trains are loaded onto ferries to cross the strait). So you can get the train from Guangzhou to Haikou. The trains actually start and finish in Sanya, but it takes about an hour by bus to get from downtown to the train station, and the train station in Sanya is also far from that city's downtown area. There are scheduled services from Beijing West, Shanghai South and Guangzhou. At the present time, these services use only regular-speed trains. The nearest high-speed train station on the mainland is in Zhanjiang, which is about 3 hours by high-speed train from Guangzhou. From the Zhanjiang HSR station, you can take either a train or a bus to Haikou.
From other parts of Hainan
A high-speed railway connects the major towns on the east and west coasts of Hainan. It takes 1½–2 hours from Sanya to Haikou. The trains also serve the airports in both Haikou and Sanya. Other stops on the line include Wenchang, Qionghai, Bo'ao, Wanning, Lingshui, Ledong, Dongfang, Baimajing, Lingao, Fushan and Laocheng.
Stations
Haikou has three major railway stations, including the airport station. There are also several minor stations, which are served only by suburban trains.

• Haikou Station

  address: Yue Hai Avenue, Xiuying District (秀英区粤海大道)
  This is the main station for trains heading to and from the mainland. It is also connected to Hainan's high-speed railway line.

• Haikou East Station

  address: Fengxiang Road West, Longhua District (龙华区凤翔西路)
  Due to it's much more central location compared with Haikou Station, this station tends to be more popular with passengers travelling on Hainan's HSR line. However, if travelling to or from the mainland, you will need to change trains at Haikou Station.

By bus

Buses connect Haikou to many cities on the Chinese mainland, including Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guilin, and Nanning. Most buses are overnight sleepers. Buses are loaded on to ferries and arrive in Haikou at either Xingang port or Xiuying port. Here are a few examples of journey duration and price (Mar 2017):

• From/to Guangzhou (10 hours) ¥190-230
• From/to Guilin (13 hours) ¥338

By boat

There are frequent daily ferries between Haikou and Hai'an. Takes around 1½ hours and costs about ¥42. There are bus connections from Haian to other cities, but the options are limited compared to Haikou, especially in the evening.
There are daily Haikou-Beihai ferries, leaving Beihai at 6PM, taking around 12 hours and costing between ¥120-400 per person, depending on number of people sharing a cabin. For those of you traveling in China by bicycle, you can also take your bike on the ferry for an additional ¥20.

There are four main forms of public transportation in Haikou:

• Taxi which is the most expensive option. They are easily hailed everywhere in the city. The meter starts at ¥10, but it is customary to bargain before you get on, and a typical fare for a shorter trip is ¥15. The taxi from the airport is half an hour to the city centre. On arrival you will have a familiar experience in China of a number of drivers shouting taxi at you. These are illegal taxis, and you risk at least paying extra for your journey by taking these. Instead, walk out of the terminal building and you will see a line of licensed taxis. Before departing, insist on using the meter (dabiao) even if they are reluctant to do so. It should cost ¥50-60 to the city centre.
• Buses are very inexpensive, but you need to know the routes. If you choose to get the bus from the airport, show the address of your hotel to the attendant who will show you the bus that will take you closest. There is an airport shuttle that cost ¥15 per person from airport to Home Inn (formerly Civil Aviation Hotel) at Haixiu Avenue in downtown Haikou.
• Motorbike taxis are mostly electric and you can get anywhere within the city for between 5 and 10 yuan.
• Additionally you may also rent a bicycle or an electric scooter. Haikou is very bike friendly, with wide side ways for both bikes and scooters. The riverside road 滨江路, for instance, is equipped with a beautiful car free biking and running path all along the river. Additionally, Haikou is also a major starting point for long-distance traveling on bicycles around the island of Hainan.

Historical sites

• Wugong Temple

  phone: +86 898 65353047
  address: 169 Haifu Road, Qiongshan District (琼山区海府路169号)
  A Ming dynasty construction dedicated to five officials who were banished to Hainan during the Tang dynasty for criticism of the government. This is a pretty temple in a tropical setting, surrounded by ponds filled with lilies, winding bridges and exotic palm trees. The main building is the Wugong temple housing life like statues of the five officials and known as the first building of Hainan. The Song dynasty poet, Su Dongpo, is also commemorated here. A Song-dynasty stone tablet, with an inscription dated from 1119 AD, held by a stone turtle (bixi) is one of the important historic artifacts. The Haikou City Museum (listed below), which is not in any way associated with the temple, stands directly opposite the temple. Everything is in Chinese only.

• Tomb of HairuiHairui Tomb is a key national cultural protection unit. Hairui, a famous official in the Ming dynasty, was born in Qiongshan and was known as "Hai Qingtian" (incorruptible official). The tomb was built in 1589 and it is said that when people was carrying Hairui's coffin, suddenly the rope broke, and then people decided that this should be the place. Hairui Tomb has an area of 3 ha (7.4 acre). In the middle, there is a high archway on which is written "Yue Dong Zheng Qi". The grave path is paved with granite and there are three memorials on the way. On the sides of the path leading to the tomb, there stands stone statue shaped like sheep, horses, lions, tortoises, and human beings. Hairui Tomb was completely built by granites at three meters and formed like an ancient bell. Evergreen trees are planted around the cemetery. Hairui Cultural Exhibit Hall is also in the cemetery.

• Xiuying BatteryA 19th-century coastal fort near Evergreen Park. It can be visited for ¥10 (you may have to wake up the ticket seller). The exhibition hall inside the fort is closed, but you can still see the replica cannons, the underground chambers, and many banyan trees.

• Qiongtai Academy

  phone: +86 898 65872309
  address: 8 Zhongshan Road, Fucheng Town, Qiongshan District (琼山区府城镇中山路8号)
  Established in commemoration of Qiu Jun, believed to be the most brilliant scholar in Hainan and a renowned Ming Dynasty academic. Construction began in 1705. The two-storey main building is made of brick and wood and is rich in traditional ethnic characteristics. The well-preserved academy is now the site of Qiongtai Normal University. The academy became celebrated after a well-known Cantonese and Qiong drama was written based on events there.

• Former Residence of Qiu Jun

  address: No. 9 Lane 3, Jinhua Road, Qiongshan District (琼山区金花路三巷9号)
  Built in the second year of the Ming Dynasty (1369), Qiu Jun's former residence is the oldest extant wooden building in Haikou and a rare example of early Ming architecture.

National Parks

• Haikou Shishan Crater Cluster National Geological ParkCovers 108km². China hosts one of the few dormant volcanic clusters from the Holocene period (about 10,000 years ago). The volcanic cluster comprises 40 volcanoes and some 30 caves, however, most visitors only see the most spectacular volcano and crater. The lava rock villages in the volcano area offer a unique countryside scene and a glimpse into countryside life/culture. Notable villages in the area include Rongtang and Meishe.

• Dongzhai Harbor National Nature Reserve

  address: Yanfeng Town, Qiongshan City
  The Red Forest Nature Reserve (Hong Shu Lin) is an unusual and intriguing evergreen forest peculiar to the subtropical coastal area of Hainan. Despite the name, the trees here do not actually have red leaves. When the tide is in, the roots of the trees are surrounded by water, giving the appearance that the trees grow directly from beneath the sea. This aquatic environment is ideal for breeding fish and shrimp and the leaves on the trees here are also said to have medicinal value. This particular type of tree produces seeds which sprout and propagate within their own shell. Tide times vary according to season, but when the tide is in there are some really fun boat trips to be enjoyed, winding in and out of the tree trunks and then on to the tiny island nearby, ripe with pineapple trees. The boat leaves from the entrance of the park when the tide is in. Each trip takes approximately one hour.

Parks

• West Coast Linear ParkBeach park between Xixiu Beach and Holiday Beach.

• Baishamen Park

  address: Haidian Sixth Road East, Meilan District (美兰区海甸六路)
  Located at the northern end of Renmin Avenue (人民大道), in Baishamen Park on Haidian Island in the northern end of the city. Includes a small amusement park.

• Evergreen Park

  address: Binhai Ave
  Beautiful park with green grass, palm trees, and ocean views. Popular with families and runners. The park normally organises special activities for Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival.

• Golden Bull Ridge Park

  address: Haixiu Middle Road, Longhua District (龙华区海秀中路)
  Features a botanical gardens and a cemetery for PLA soldiers who lost their lives during the campaign to liberate Hainan from Nationalist forces in 1950. The cemetery, like most cemeteries in China, is a hive of activity during the Qingming Festival.

• Haikou People's ParkEstablished in 1935, this is probably Haikou's oldest modern park. The park contains a memorial built in 1954 to honour those who gave their lives for the Chinese Revolution.

• Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden

  phone: +86 898 68529999
  address: 27km point on Haiyu Central Highway, Dongshan Town, Xiuying District (秀英区东山镇海榆中线27公里)

• Fengxiang Wetlands Park

  address: Yehai Avenue, Qiongshan District (琼山区椰海大道)
  Not just a park, this is part of an ongoing environmental project aimed at rehabilitating the Meishe River (美舍何). The project has been heavily promoted by the local media and touted by some government officials as a model for other cities in China. Before and after photos appear to show that the river is much cleaner than before. The main highlight of the park is the artificial wetlands, which have been designed to act as a biofilter for pollutants entering the water. A museum is being constructed at the park to educate visitors about the local ecology.

Theme Parks

• Feng Xiaogang's Movie Town

  phone: +86 898 36688000
  address: 19 Yangshan Avenue, Longhua District (龙华区羊山大道19号)
  A theme park established by the famous Chinese film director Feng Xiaogang. The two main 'scenic areas' are 1942 Street and Nanyang Street. The former is modelled on a street in Chongqing that appeared in the film Back To 1942, while the latter is designed to look like a typical Chinatown in Southeast Asia. The main thing to do here is wander about the streets and look at the buildings while doing some shopping and dining. There are also several small museums, including a wax museum, a coin museum, a dragon museum, an earthquake and typhoon museum, and a film museum. Other attractions include an aquarium and a 'snow & ice world'.

Museums

• Hainan Provincial Museum

  phone: +86 898 6523-8891
  address: 68 Guoxing Ave
  This provincial museum is focused on the history and culture of Hainan Island/Province. The museum is located on the east side of the city across the street from the provincial government buildings. The museum is housed in a new, gleaming architectural masterpiece structure. There are exhibits about the people and history of the island.

• Haikou City Museum

  phone: +86 898 65353047
  address: 169 Haifu Road (琼山区海府大道169号)
  A small museum focused on art and local history. The main exhibition halls are on the second floor.

• Hainan State Farms Museum

  phone: +86 898 68535556
  address: Levels 1 & 2, Finance Building, 103 Binhai Ave
  This museum depicts the history of Hainan State Farms (HSF). Focuses especially on the development of Hainan's rubber industry. Also includes an exhibition on the Down to the Countryside Movement - a movement during the Cultural Revolution in which urban youths were required to relocate to rural areas, including rubber plantations on Hainan Island. The captions for individual objects are generally in Chinese only, but the introductions for each section are in both Chinese and English.

• West Coast Museum of Contemporary Art

  address: Binhai Avenue, Xiuying District (秀英区滨海大道)
  Mainly devoted to oil paintings and calligraphy.

Beaches

• Holiday BeachNice beach with a number of restaurants and cafes.

• Xixiu BeachNice beach with a few restaurants. Watch the locals windsurfing and jogging. Not as much activity as at Holiday Beach, but closer to the city centre.

• Baishamen Beach

• Guilinyang Beach

• Old Street (老街; lǎo jiē)Explore old city streets, markets and shops. Located along Bo2 Ai4 Lu4, which is bounded by Chang2 Di1 Lu4 and Hai3 Xiu4 Dong1 Lu4. This is the only area in Haikou where the old buildings are preserved, giving rise to an authentic atmosphere. It has an eclectic range of shops: e.g., pets (puppies, chicks, cats, rabbits), household drapes, kitchen tools, hardware, roast duck, toys. You can walk into some of the old courtyard style buildings and see the original wood work and details. In the Old Street area visit Dongmen market (East Gate) to see all the exotic foods for sale.

• Sea Turtles 911The only non-profit organization promoting sea turtle conservation in China, Sea Turtles 911's primary facility is a floating sea turtle hospital in Lingshui near Nanwan Monkey Island, and programs in Sanya and Haikou. While on Hainan Island visitors are welcome to volunteer with the sea turtles and the organization's educational programs. Recommended donation. Go to www.seaturtles911.org for more information.

• Haikou Antique City

  phone: +86 898 66558298
  address: Yishenghe Department Store, 20 Haixiu Road East (海秀东路20号亿圣和百货)
  Haikou Antique City occupies the 3rd to 6th levels of the Yishenghe Department Store. It claims to be the largest and oldest center in Haikou for the sale and purchase of antiques. Contains almost 600 antique stores.

• Hainan Antique City

  phone: +86 898 66525252
  address: Huafa Building, 25 Datong Road, Longhua District (龙华区大同路25号华发大厦)
  Hainan Antique City occupies the first four levels of the Huafa Building on Datong Road. Like its similarly named rival, this is not one shop, but a center containing numerous small independent antique stores.

• DC Computer Town

  address: 10 Haixiu Road East (海秀东路10号)
  Haikou's largest and most popular center for buying computers and other electronic devices. Contains shops and stalls representing all major brands.

The tropical weather of Haikou has attracted the Chinese all over the country to move to this island, along with their specialty. While most tourists don't come to Haikou for food, an impressive choice of foods is a hidden gem. The cooking style is a fusion of Cantonese, Hokkienese and certain Southeast Asian elements and seafood is impressive.
Prices have surged as the tourism industry is booming. However, prices are still generally lower than many other Chinese cities if you can avoid being overcharged. Compare to other places such as Sanya, Haikou is less touristy and a way cheaper to taste the local food.

Things to eat

• Chao Bing (炒冰; chǎobīng) Literally 'stir-fried ice' in Chinese, it is a fresh-made sorbet-like dessert. First select your fresh tropical fruits. The fruits are blended. A device that looks like a frying pan is used to freeze the juice in a minute. This process, due to its super chill temperature, yields a very fine ice crystal and make the sorbet so smooth. Perhaps try a combination of Mango and Passion Fruit. Costs just ¥5. Good Chao Bing vendors can be found on San Xi Lu, just off Renmin Dadao, on Haidian Island in the north of Haikou.
• Betel nuts (檳榔 bīnglang) Illegal in some western countries, betel nuts are common in South East Asia and India. Chewed for their effects as a mildly euphoric stimulant, attributed to the presence of relatively high levels of psychoactive alkaloids. Spot the locals who chew betel nuts by their red teeth. Popular with bus drivers. Available on street corners for around ¥1. Shops also sell the dried variety. These are not as potent.

Areas to eat

• Hainan University Night Market It is a busy night food market outside the Hainan University and caters for the wallet of undergraduates, which means food is cheap and reasonably priced. Common items include Chao Bing, Qingbuliang (various beans and jelly in iced coconut soup), BBQ. Operates​ until 11PM-midnight.
• People's Bridge Night Market. On Haidian island connected by a bridge to the mainland, this area is 3 minute away from the Hainan University Night Market. It has a night market for cheap clothing and cheap food. In May 2011, you can have around 6-8 oysters (depending on their size) or 4 scallops for ¥10. Meat skewers start from ¥0.5 (mini sized one). ¥1 for grilled tofu and ¥3 for a grilled corn. Overcharging can often happen if you don't speak Chinese so compare the price first. Operates​ until 4AM.
• Banqiao Road Local Restaurant Area This large covered outdoor restaurant area is a unique local experience. To begin with have a look around the integrated fresh food market and choose what you want. There is much to pick from; coconut rice to strange seafood to Cobra snakes. It’s all alive when you purchase so you know its fresh and half the fun is just looking at what’s available. Each set of tables has its own kitchen and the food is cooked however you want. Expect to pay ¥30-40 per person.
• The area south of East Haixiu Road has a number of small streets with small local restaurants cooking the food out in the street and with tables both in and out. Expect to pay ¥20-30 per person.
• Local street BBQ food (烧烤 shāokǎo) Popular with locals, these vendors come out in the evening and serve a variety of BBQ'ed food. Choose what you want and take a seat while its cooked. Food is inexpensive and you can also buy cheap local beer. Locals eat, drink and play cards at these places until early morning. Many vendors can be found on Haidian Er East Rd (海甸二东路) on Haidian Island in the north of Haikou. Expect to pay ¥30-40 per person.

• Haida South Gate Snack Food St

  address: 3 West Rd (Sanxi Lu)
  Regarded by locals as the best place to eat street food. There are around 40 stalls to choose from. Foreigner friendly because you can look at the food first and choose what appeals.

• Haikou Snack Street

  phone: +86 898 66220688
  address: 2 Datong Road
  Haikou Snack Street is a food court set inside a large Qilou-style building. There are food outlets selling a wide variety of dishes from differerent parts of Hainan, as well as from some other parts of China and Asia. The food here is generally cheap and of good quality. The place is very popular and can get very crowded on weekends. To purchase food here, one must first obtain a payment card from the cashier at the front of the building and put some money onto the card. The card can be used at any of the food outlets. After eating, you may return the card to the cashier and get a refund for any unused funds.

Restaurants

Budget

• Noodle King

  phone: +86 898 66730466, +86 898 66738466
  address: Haixiu Middle St 49 (海秀中路49号)
  Northern cuisine specialising in noodles, but also with other courses. Other branches on Xi1 Sha1 Lu4 11 (西沙路11号, 66713785) and Bai2 Long2 Nan2 Lu4 61 (白龙南路61号, 65203748).

• Coconut Garden

  phone: +86 898 65311881
  address: Haifuyiheng Street (海府一横路)
  Try the local variant of hotpot in a cosy partly outdoor environment close to small river. Several similar restaurants on the same street.

• The Manchurian

  phone: +86 898 68513456
  address: Multiple locations. The flagship restaurant is located at 49 Haixiu Avenue (海秀大道49号) near the Longhua Road intersection. See English website for other locations
  This restaurant chain was established in Haikou in 1993 by a group of migrants from northeastern China. The chain has been fairly successful and has established branches in several other cities, including Sanya, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shanghai. The flagship store on Haixiu Avenue is one of the largest dumpling restaurants in Haikou. Besides dumplings, the restaurant also serves various other northeastern dishes.

Mid-range

• Sea food restaurant at Xixiu Beach

  phone: +86 898 68667777
  address: Bīnhǎi Xīlù, Xīxiù Beach (滨海西路西秀海滩)
  Large upscale seafood restaurant by the Xīxiù Beach (西秀海滩), which also serves vegetable and meat dishes. Do not expect a menu card, but follow the waitress around and look at the fresh food and living fish etc and point at what you want (price signs at each dish).

• Little India

  phone: +86 898 68554827
  address: Shop 002-3，D Zone, Yusha Capital City, 21 Yusha Road (玉沙路21号玉沙京华城D区002-3号铺)
  Operated by a group of people from the Indian subcontinent. Serves a wide variety of Indian and Nepalese dishes.

• Hainan Restaurant

  address: Multiple locations
  Haikou-based restaurant chain specializing in Hainanese cuisine. Very popular with the locals.

• Chimac

  address: 20 Yusha Road, Longhua District (龙华区玉沙路20)
  Western restaurant owned by David Chon, a Korean American businessman who moved to Hainan in 2017. The restaurant offers a variety of Western dishes made from both local and imported ingredients. Alcoholic beverages are also available. Another branch may be found at the Mission Hills Resort.

Haikou has a vibrant night life. The city has many clubs and bars, most of which are busy on any night of the week.

Night clubs

There are several clubs on Guomao Road in the business district of Haikou. There is a bar/club area at Haikou Bay, next to Evergreen Park.
Guo Mao District

• High Love

• Candy Land

• Smuse

• M2

• Chao Chao

• True Colors

• Song & Song

• Soho

• 66 Club

• 123 Ya Nuo Da

Haikou Bay

• Beach 18

  address: Haikou Bay, next to Evergreen Park

• Muse

  address: Haikou Bay, next to Evergreen Park

Pubs and bars

Hai Dian Dao (Hai Dian Island)

• Xuewu near Heping road on Haidiandao offers a decent outdoor environment and a pub style indoor area and night BBQ. The whole BBQ chickens are recommended by other travelers.
• Heping Road on Haidian Island has many small outdoor places to drink inexpensive local beer.

Cafes

• Fushan Coffee

  phone: +86 898-65366618
  address: Bailong South Rd, 白龙南路琼苑广场道层
  Large cafe with primarily male guests hanging around for hours drinking coffee and smoking. Other branches at Bin4 Hai3 Da4 Dao4 (滨海大道会展中心附楼), Nan2 Sha1 Lu4 59 (南沙路59号), Yi4 Long2 Lu4 (义龙路市人大宾馆道层).

• Coffee World Lighthouse Store

  phone: +86 898-6616-7060
  address: Bin Jiang Hai An
  Offers 32 specialty drinks and an array of freshly made sandwiches and a nice selection of cakes and ice creams. Outdoor dining provided as well as a fully air conditioned restaurant. Coffee World Lighthouse is a Haikou City Landmark having one of the nicest outdoor balconies situated alongside the river. A relaxing environment to meet friends and entertain guests. English speaking staff.

Other

• Drink a fresh coconut. Vendors will chop the top off the coconut and give you a straw to drink the juice inside. Costs ¥3-4. Available on most street corners. Some shops have cold coconuts in the fridge. Some people find the cold ones more refreshing.

• As in other Chinese cities you may check apps like ctrip for hotels in Haikou, see the pictures and visit the hotel to check the rooms in the spot.

• Haikou Banana Hostel

  phone: +86 898 66286780
  address: 3-4 Liyuan Villas, Renmin Da Dao
  A member of International Youth Hostel association has English speaking staff. All rooms have private bathroom with hot water shower. Double/twin and dorm rooms have western toilet and air-con. Wi-fi is free. English book exchange. Italian cook serving authentic Italian food in evenings.

• Haikou Hotel

  phone: +86-21-61226688 ext 7800
  address: 4号 Haifu Rd, Meilan Qu
  A 4-star business hotel offering 196 rooms with 4-star amenities. Business facilities include conference rooms and business center. Leisure facilities such as sauna and fitness center are also available.

• Hainan Airlines Business Hotel

  phone: +86 898 66796999
  address: 38 Datong Rd, Longhua District
  Four-star hotel with rooms with Internet access. Multifunction banquet hall, function rooms and business center available. Japanese-Korean restaurant.

• Hainan Huatian Hotel

  phone: +86 898 66799988
  address: No. 9-1 North Longkun Road, Longhua District
  This four-star hotel is also near a number of city attractions, shopping malls, and business establishments. Each of the hotel’s Hainan accommodation is furnished with air-conditioning, cable TV, and Internet access.

• Hainan Xinyuan Hot Spring Hotel

  address: 18-8 Haixiu Rd
  Longhua District. The 4-star hotel provides natural hot spring water in each of its 351 rooms. It also boasts KTV rooms, bar, restaurant, sauna cabin, spa, and a 300-capacity conference hall with translation systems. Rates around ¥300.

• Home InnHas two branches: one is at 61 Bailong Rd and the other is more centrally at 91 Haixiu Middle Rd. This nationwide chain offers two-star European standard with broadband cabling in each room. Staff helpfulness makes up for limited English though you can get lucky with one or two at the reception almost half the time. The member's card costs ¥40 and obtains a 10% discount on all room rates nationwide.

• International Financial (Jasper) Hotel

  address: 29 Datong Rd
  Longhua District. The 4-star hotel particularly suits business travelers, as it provides deluxe rooms and meeting spaces, and low-key recreation nooks. Online booking available on the website.

• Crown Spa Resort Hainan

  phone: +86 898 65966888
  address: 1 Qiongshan Av, East Riverside
  This five star hotel is ideal for individuals wishing to enjoy spa services and a first class hotel in a seaside setting. The rooms are deluxe with appropriate amenities. There are five restaurants within the resort offering a wide array of cuisine dining options. In addition there is nightly entertainment in the resort's lobby area. There is a separate Convention Center and a separate Spa Center. The Spa has those ex-foliating fish, very ticklish at first. The resort has wonderful gardens and has a large pool area with a high temperature outdoor pool. The resort offers its guests a courtesy shuttle bus service to the city center of Haikou for those wishing to explore the city.

Cars and motorbikes often do not signal, but otherwise are safe. At night, many vehicles use high beams.

• Wenchang (文昌) is one of the provincial of Hainan Province in southern China and is located at the north-east coast of Hainan Island. Is the centre of Han settlement and the place where standard Hainanese is spoken. It is also one of the main sources of Hainanese migration overseas (Malaysia, Singapore & Thailand). It takes about 60 minutes by car from Haikou to Wenchang. A bus leaves from the East Bus Station (Haifu Rd.). It takes about 1 hour and costs ¥17/person. Buses leave 6:40AM-8:30PM every 30 minutes. East Bus Station, Haifu dadao, opposite Wugongci (Wugong shrine). Telephone: 0898-65370453
• Bo'ao (博鳌) is a small town on the East coast of Hainan Island, China. At the mouth of the Wanquan river Boao is best known for the annual Boao Forum for Asia. Because of this prestigious event the town is impeccably maintained year round with blooming planters and clean swept streets. It has a diverse selection of ethnic restaurants as well as one of the most well known seafood eateries on the island. Peaceful and quiet, Boao is the perfect place that combines international savvy with small town appeal. Dotted with ancient temples and surrounded by lush rice fields, Boao is the perfect beach getaway for those who want to avoid the crowds and high prices of Sanya. Take the bus from Haikou to QiongHai(¥35)then bus #2 to Boao.
• Sanya, at the southern side of the island, is famous for its beaches and offers the best tourist facilities on the island. The bus journey to Sanya takes 3.5 hours from Haikou and costs about ¥78. The high speed trains to Sanya are faster (2 hours), but a bit more expensive (around ¥100).
• Central Mountains. You have not really seen Hainan if you do not visit the mountains. Largely undeveloped, very scenic.
• There are sometimes tours to Vietnam and the Philippines, by boat out of Haikou. These are designed for Chinese rather than international tourists, so they tend to give good value for money but not Western comforts. Boats depart from Xiuying Port. At present (December 2017), cruises are available to Halong Bay, Da Nang, and Nha Trang in Vietnam, and Manila and Laoag in the Philippines. Cruises are operated by Diamond Cruise (钻石国际邮轮公司).
• Haikou is a major starting point to explore Hainan island by bicycle. Many travelers on bikes choose either track along the Western coast, the Eastern coast or the central island track, all leading to Hainan's southern city Sanya, or of course circle the island following the coast line.