Why Haikou
Haikou is the capital and most populous city of Hainan Province in southern China. Situated on the northern shore of Hainan Island along Haikou Bay, the city sits at the mouth of the Nandu River and faces the Leizhou Peninsula across the Qiongzhou Strait. As a prefecture-level city made up of four urban districts, Haikou spans mostly flat terrain just a few meters above sea level. It serves as the island's primary administrative center and handles more than half of Hainan's total trade through its active ports.
Originally established as a coastal port serving the ancient administrative city of Qiongshan, Haikou was fortified as a military post during the Ming dynasty. Following its opening to foreign trade under the 1858 Treaty of Tianjin, the port expanded rapidly and eventually surpassed Qiongshan in population and status. The city's rich cultural background is preserved in Qilou Old Street and the historic Bo'ai Road area, where multi-story white arcaded buildings blend Southern Chinese, European, Indian, and Southeast Asian architectural styles built by overseas returnees. Restored commercial streets like Zhongshan Road showcase this historic streetscape.
The city features several distinct neighborhoods connected across local waterways like the Meishe River. To the north across the Haidian River lies Haidian Island, accessible via four bridges including the prominent Haikou Century Bridge. This northern island houses the main campus of Hainan University. Elsewhere in the city, the coastal Guomao district is known for modern high-rise residential towers, while the Haikou West Coast area in Xiuying District hosts major public venues such as the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center and Wuyuan River Stadium.
Visitors to Haikou can explore extensive green spaces and public recreational sites. Evergreen Park, the city's largest, features thousands of coconut trees and South Asian ornamental plants, while Haikou People's Park is a central gathering place for morning tai chi and fitness activities. Other urban parks include Golden Bull Mountain Ridge Park, Baishamen Park, and Binhai Park. For coastal recreation, the seven-kilometer Holiday Beach stretches along the western shoreline, while the Dongzhai Port Nature Reserve, located southeast of the city, preserves China's first protected mangrove forest zone.
Haikou has a tropical wet and dry climate with notable air quality. The rainy season runs from May to October, with peak rainfall occurring in September, while tropical storms and typhoons typically take place between April and October.
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