Create meetup in Haikouchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Haikou Guides
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
anette
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)
amalie
bar_chart Trends in Haikou
Getting around Haikou without a car?
The bus system in Haikou is actually more useful than people give it credit for, but the route numbering confused me at first. Routes with a 旅游 prefix are the tourist lines and they hit the main sights, the 旅游1 for example runs along Binhai Avenue past Holiday Beach. Fares are 1 or 2 kuai, paid with the transport QR code inside Alipay, so you don't need exact change.
For the seafood thing, the spots around Xinbu Island are worth the trip and there's a bus that crosses over, though I'd honestly just Didi back at night since service gets thin after 9. Guomao itself is well connected, you've got buses on Binhai and Longkun roads going most directions.
One thing to know is that Haikou traffic really does slow to a crawl around 5 to 7pm, so a bus that looks quick on the map can double in time. Plan your longer hops for midday or after dinner. A mix works fine, just don't count on the metro for the beach.
metro is solid for the north south stuff, line 1 will get u from guomao area down toward the old streets side pretty easy. problem is holiday beach, the metro doesnt really go out there so thats a didi or the 28 bus which is slow af in traffic. for seafood spots in random lanes just didi, buses in haikou get packed & routes change so its not worth the headache when a ride across town is like 15 to 25 kuai. budget maybe 40 or 50 a day for didis & u wont think about it
honestly for the old streets area you can just walk most of it once you're there, the qilou buildings are all clustered together so no need for transit inside that zone. guomao has the haikou east railway station nearby too if you ever wanna day trip somewhere. id say do a mix, use buses for the short hops during the day when they actually come, didi at night when they stop running
load 1 more reply
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 mouth… 🏝️ 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.
🏯 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.
⚓ 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.
🚢 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.
🏙️ 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.
🏛️ 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.
🗺️ 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.
📅 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.