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- Qilou Old Street (Arcade Lane) — A string of classic southern Chinese ”qilou” shophouses with carved wooden doors, shady arcades and pocket-sized cafes; best for a slow wander, cheap snacks and photographing Haikou’s old-town bones before redevelopment hides them.
- Bo’ai Road Pedestrian Street & Old Market — The beating heart of the old port neighborhood: hawker stalls, fresh seafood counters, tiny noodle shops and street vendors selling coconut jelly and local snacks. Great place to eat like a local and watch the city in motion.
- Five Lords Temple (Wugong Ci) — Quiet, leafy temple complex built to honor five exiled Tang/Song officials; nicely restored pavilions, stone inscriptions and a small museum give real historical context to Hainan’s relationship with the mainland.
- Hainan Provincial
- Qilou Old Street (Arcade Lane) — A string of classic southern Chinese ”qilou” shophouses with carved wooden doors, shady arcades and pocket-sized cafes; best for a slow wander, cheap snacks and photographing Haikou’s old-town bones before redevelopment hides them.
- Bo’ai Road Pedestrian Street & Old Market — The beating heart of the old port neighborhood: hawker stalls, fresh seafood counters, tiny noodle shops and street vendors selling coconut jelly and local snacks. Great place to eat like a local and watch the city in motion.
- Five Lords Temple (Wugong Ci) — Quiet, leafy temple complex built to honor five exiled Tang/Song officials; nicely restored pavilions, stone inscriptions and a small museum give real historical context to Hainan’s relationship with the mainland.
- Hainan Provincial Museum — Clean, well-curated displays on Hainan’s ethnic groups, maritime history and natural environment; a solid primer if you want to understand the island beyond beaches and resorts.
- Haikou Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark (Shishan Volcano Park) — Walkable volcanic cones, crater lakes and basalt fields right inside city limits; a surprisingly raw, lava-scaped backdrop and an easy half-day hike that’s unlike most Chinese city parks.
- Haikou Century Bridge & Bay Promenade — The sweeping bridge is an instant landmark; cross it or stroll the waterfront at sunset for skyline views, fishermen, and a sense of Haikou’s coastal rhythm.
- Holiday Beach (Wanlv/Haikou Holiday Beach Park) — The best accessible city beach in Haikou: long sand, local beach bars, kiteboarders in season and a chilled evening scene where residents gather to eat seafood and fly kites.
- Qiongtai Academy (Qiongtai Shuyuan) — A small but atmospheric Confucian academy with classical courtyards and stone inscriptions; it’s one of those compact cultural stops that tells you how educated, civic life used to be organized on the island.
- Baishamen Park (White Sand Gate Park) — Seaside park with a Ferris wheel, boardwalk and family-friendly attractions; less touristy than the major resort beaches and useful if you want a seaside vibe without leaving the city.
- People’s Park / Nanhu (South Lake) Park — A low-key local hub where people practice tai chi, play cards, sip tea and feed carp; the best spot to observe everyday Haikou life up close and blend into the routine for an hour or two.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.