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Haikou History: 2026 Guide to Milestones
bastian
Haikou Festivals & Events by Month (2026)
katharina
Haikou Etiquette 2026: Dos and Don'ts for Visitors
ramonaherrmann
Haikou Name Origins & Local Words 2026
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Typical Souvenirs from Haikou (2026)
melissaherzog
First Time in Haikou: Complete Guide 2026
ilona
Haikou Nightlife Guide (2026)
janett
Best Day Trips from Haikou (2026)
Haikou Airport to City Center (2026)
gregor
Haikou Hidden Gems (2026)
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bar_chart Trends in Haikou
Best Food in Haikou (2026)
Haikou's food scene revolves around fresh seafood and Hainanese specialties. Wenchang chicken, a poached chicken served with ginger and chili dip, is a must. Also try Hainβ¦ π Must-Try Local Dishes
Haikou's food scene revolves around fresh seafood and Hainanese specialties. Wenchang chicken, a poached chicken served with ginger and chili dip, is a must. Also try Hainanese noodles (Hainan fen), a light rice noodle soup with pork and peanuts, often eaten for breakfast.
π΄ Top Restaurants for Wenchang Chicken
For authentic Wenchang chicken, head to Wen Chang Ji Restaurant at 22 Longkun South Road, where a whole chicken costs around 88 CNY. Another excellent choice is Ji Qing Ke at 48 Jiefang West Road, known for its tender chicken and flavorful dipping sauces. Both are busy at lunch, so arrive early.
π² Best Seafood Spots
Ding'an Seafood Market at 88 Binhai Avenue lets you pick live seafood and have it cooked on the spot. Expect to pay 100-200 CNY per person for a feast. For a sit-down meal, Xin Fu Yuan Seafood Restaurant at 12 Haixiu East Road offers steamed fish and crab at moderate prices, around 80 CNY per dish.
π₯ Street Food in Qilou Old Street
Qilou Old Street is a hub for street food, especially in the evening. Try the fried oyster omelet (hao jian) from a stall near 48 Bo'ai North Road for 15 CNY. Also look for coconut rice cakes (yebing) sold by vendors along Zhongshan Road for 5 CNY each.
π Best Noodle Shops
Hainan fen is best enjoyed at Lao Cheng Noodle House at 15 Jiefang East Road, where a bowl costs 12 CNY. For a heartier option, try the beef noodle soup at Niu Wei Wang at 98 Guoxing Avenue, priced at 20 CNY. Both shops open from 7 AM to 2 PM.
π§ Cooling Desserts and Drinks
Beat the heat with a bowl of qingbuliang, a sweet coconut milk dessert with beans, fruits, and jelly. Find it at Qingbuliang Shop at 23 Haifu Road for 10 CNY. For fresh coconut water, head to Coconut Island at 66 Binhai Avenue, where a young coconut costs 8 CNY.
π Evening Food Markets
The Haikou Night Market on Binhai Avenue near the Century Bridge is a lively spot for grilled seafood and skewers. Try the grilled squid (15 CNY) and spicy crawfish (30 CNY per portion). It opens daily from 6 PM to midnight, with plenty of seating.
π Breakfast Traditions
Start your day with a bowl of Hainan noodles at a local breakfast joint like Yi Pin Noodle at 32 Longhua Road, open from 6 AM to 11 AM. Pair it with a cup of Hainanese coffee (5 CNY) from a nearby stall. Many locals also enjoy steamed rice rolls (changfen) filled with shrimp or pork.
the guide's great but it's missing the haikou version of lingshui, the cold rice noodles with shredded jellyfish and a sweet soy sauce. there's a cart outside the no.1 middle school on longkun south road around 4pm, 8 cny a bowl and the lady's been doing it for 20 years. also if ur at the qilou stalls, skip the coconut rice cakes and grab the fried glutinous rice balls with red bean paste from the old man near the arcade entrance, 3 cny each and they're still warm
good list, covers the basics well. i'd say the fried oyster omelet at qilou is decent but the one at a stall near the east gate market on bo'ai road is way better, same price but they use fresh oysters from lingao, not the frozen ones. also if you're into spicy stuff, ask for extra chili paste at the noodle shops, most have a homemade version hidden behind the counter, just gotta ask
solid list, really covers the classics. one thing i'd add is the morning tea culture, not just noodles. head to dadian tea house on jiefang east road around 8am, grab a seat and order a pot of hainanese black tea with condensed milk, it's like 3 cny and they keep refilling the hot water. the steamed pork buns there are better than the ones at the tourist spots, 2 cny each and they sell out by 9
also for qingbuliang, the shop on haifu road is good but there's a tiny stall on bo'ai north road near the old street that does a version with taro paste and coconut ice cream, 12 cny and way richer. it's open from 3pm until they run out, usually by 8
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Haikou History: 2026 Guide to Milestones
Haikou's story begins over 2,000 years ago when it was a small fishing village on the northern coast of Hainan Island. The name 'Haikou' literally means 'seaport mouthβ¦ ποΈ Early Settlement and Name
Haikou's story begins over 2,000 years ago when it was a small fishing village on the northern coast of Hainan Island. The name 'Haikou' literally means 'seaport mouth,' referring to the mouth of the Nandu River where it meets the sea. During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE, 220 CE), the area was part of Zhuya Commandery, and later it became a key port for trade and migration. Visitors can still see remnants of this early history at the Hainan Museum, which houses artifacts from ancient settlements.
π― Imperial Era and Fortifications
Under the Tang and Song dynasties, Haikou grew into a fortified town, serving as a gateway to the island. The Ming Dynasty (1368, 1644) built the Haikou Fortress, also known as the Qiongzhou Fort, to defend against pirates and foreign invaders. Today, you can walk along the remaining city walls at the Haikou Ancient City Wall Park on Xinhua Road. The nearby Five Ancestors Temple, dating back to the Ming era, offers a glimpse into the religious life of that time.
β Treaty Port and Trade Boom
In 1858, the Treaty of Tianjin opened Haikou as a treaty port, leading to a surge in foreign trade and influence. European powers established consulates and trading houses, especially along the waterfront area known as Bo'ai Road. The arcade-style buildings (qilou) that line Bo'ai Road today were built during this period, blending Chinese and Western architectural styles. A stroll through this district feels like stepping back into the late 19th century.
π’ Japanese Occupation and War
From 1939 to 1945, Haikou was occupied by Japanese forces during World War II. The occupation left scars, including the use of the port for military supplies and the construction of bunkers. After the war, the city slowly rebuilt, and in 1950, Hainan Island was liberated by the Communist forces. The Hainan Liberation Monument on Haixiu Road commemorates this turning point and is a solemn place for reflection.
ποΈ Modernization and SEZ Status
In 1988, Hainan became a separate province and was designated a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), sparking rapid development in Haikou. The city transformed with new high-rises, shopping malls, and infrastructure like the Haikou Meilan International Airport. The Evergreen Park and the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center are symbols of this modern era. Today, Haikou is a vibrant capital blending its historical roots with contemporary energy.
ποΈ Preserving the Past
Haikou has made efforts to preserve its history amid modernization. The Haikou Arcade Streets (Qilou Old Street) were restored in the 2010s, and now host cafes, shops, and museums. The Hainan Museum, located at 68 Guoxing Avenue, offers a comprehensive look at the island's history from prehistoric times to the present. Entry is free, and it's open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays.
πΊοΈ Historical Walking Tour
To experience Haikou's history firsthand, start at the Ancient City Wall Park, then walk to the Five Ancestors Temple. Continue to Bo'ai Road to admire the qilou architecture, and end at the Hainan Liberation Monument. Along the way, you'll pass by the former site of the Haikou Customs House, a reminder of the treaty port era. This route takes about half a day and can be done on foot or by taxi.
π 2026 Visitor Tips
In 2026, Haikou continues to develop, but historical sites remain accessible. The best time to visit is from November to March, when the weather is cool and dry. Many museums and temples are free or charge a small fee (around 20-50 CNY). Use the Haikou Metro or ride-hailing apps to get around; the metro's Line 1 stops near the old town. Remember to bring cash for small vendors, as some don't accept digital payments.
been coming to haikou for work since like 2016 and the thing most history writeups miss is the salt trade angle, the old salt fields out near yangpu and the coastal villages west of the city are basically living history, people still working them, way more tangible than a museum case. the qiongbei salt pans date back centuries and if u drive out there on a weekday youll have the place to yourself
also the guide lists the museum as free entry 9 to 5 but the good floor for the treaty port stuff is the second one, most people burn out on the prehistoric section and miss it. go up first then work down
one food note since everyone covered noodles and coffee, the old neighborhood around Juren Fang does a lunchtime hainan jifan that locals queue for, no sign out front, just follow the crowd around noon
appreciate this, the han dynasty bit is the part most guides gloss over completely
one angle nobody's touched yet is the wenchang connection, loads of haikou's old merchant families actually trace back to wenchang and the overseas chinese who went to southeast asia and sent money home, thats why the qilou district looks the way it does, that remittance money paid for a lot of those facades. the hainan museum actually has a decent section on the nanyang traders if u want the backstory before walking the streets
for the fortress part, the ming walls at the park are mostly reconstructed fyi, the real surviving chunks are smaller and off to the side, dont expect much and you wont be disappointed
also if ur doing the walk in summer, start by 7am or ur cooked, the humidity on bo'ai road with no shade is no joke
solid writeup, but one thing i'd push back on: the walking tour is better done in reverse. start at the Liberation Monument early, hit Bo'ai Road around 9am before teh tour buses show up, then work your way to the wall park. the qilou arcade light is way better in morning anyway.
also nobody mentions this but the old customs house area near Zhongshan Road has a tiny noodle shop doing Hainan fen for like 12 kuai, been there forever. way better than anything on the main drag.
one correction fwiw, the metro Line 1 doesn't really stop that close to the old town. you're better off getting off and walking 15 min or just grabbing a didi.