Haikou Attractions
Seafood Market & Restaurants
If you like seafood, go directly to this section of town. A large market full of fresh fish and other seafood fresh off the boats opens up around 5 pm daily. If you aren't much of a cook, then head for one of the several large, pavilion-type restaurants next to the market. It ca...
If you like seafood, go directly to this section of town. A large market full of fresh fish and other seafood fresh off the boats opens up around 5 pm daily. If you aren't much of a cook, then head for one of the several large, pavilion-type restaurants next to the market. It can be difficult to tell one from the other. As you approach, hostesses will beckon you inside. Some may try to strong arm you in. Take your time and see which one appeals to you. I’ve been to several and loved them all.
If you choose to dine out, first find a hostess. She will escort you through the market where you can point and choose the type and amount of fish you would like to eat. Back at the table the staff will ask you how you want it prepared. If you don’t speak Mandarin, smile, shrug, and nod. Have a sense of humor and be flexible. The food is generally excellent regardless of how its prepared. Waiters and waitresses will wander by with platters of fresh vegetables, nan (flat, fried bread), and various local specialties. Roving musicians will serenade you for the current going rate of 5 yuan per song. If you are a foreigner the musicians will probably play either Celine Dion’s “Titanic Theme” or “Auld Lang Syne.” These restaurants are almost always packed.
Detailed instructions on how to get there: Across the street from the Old Clock Tower (a Haikou landmark) at the end of Jiefang Lu, take the #39 or #14 bus. The bus will follow the river on the left for a ways, then turn right by a freeway overpass. Eventually the bus will turn left onto Wenming Dong Lu. The bus will cross the river. Get off at the first stop after the river. If you miss it, don’t worry, the bus will turn right and there’s another stop very close. Across the street on the corner you will see a Bank of China. Follow the street that the bank is on (Wenming Lu) to the first street on your left — Banqiu. A Mobile Station is right across from it. Go down about two blocks and you will come to the restaurants and market on your left. Buses #13 & #34 also go by here, although I’m not sure where you catch them from.
Xiuying Battery
Buses 1 & 32 both pass by Xiuying Battery. Hop off the bus at Shimao Wan Lu and walk right up the hill a ways. Xiuying Battery is on the right. The battery was constructed in 1891 during the Qing Dynasty to defend against a French invasion. The small park still displays a few la...
Buses 1 & 32 both pass by Xiuying Battery. Hop off the bus at Shimao Wan Lu and walk right up the hill a ways. Xiuying Battery is on the right. The battery was constructed in 1891 during the Qing Dynasty to defend against a French invasion. The small park still displays a few large cannons, some of the battery's original walls, and even includes underground tunnels that you can crawl around in. A small museum displays pictures of the Japanese occupation and beyond. (NOT OPEN FOR PUBLIC NOW)
Local bus routes: 1、2、16、24、31、32.
Haikou Articles
The City ---Bo'ao
Bo'ao is city on the East coast of Hainan island, China. Boao is somewhat over an hour from Haikou and about two hours from Sanya. Boao, the seat of the Boao Forum for Asia, has its share of luxury hotels....
Bo'ao is city on the East coast of Hainan island, China. Boao is somewhat over an hour from Haikou and about two hours from Sanya. Boao, the seat of the Boao Forum for Asia, has its share of luxury hotels. Tourist facilities are well developed, whit heavy overseas Chinese investment.Boao Aquapolis is situated on the eastern coast of Hainan island, emerges at the meeting points of three famous river (Wanquan, Jiuqu, and Longgun), characterized by rivers, lakes, sea, sandy beach, mountains, hot spring, etc. It is also famous because of the Asia Forum every year. Before that, Boao is a small quiet village, which the people there is living depends on fishing hunting. 1.5 hours driving from Haikou Meilan Airport, and 2 hours driving from Sanya.
Getting to Haikou 前往海口
There are a number of ways to reach Hainan Island and Haikou from the mainland.
Air
...There are a number of ways to reach Hainan Island and Haikou from the mainland.
Air
Milan airport has regular flights to and from all of China’s major cities. Hainan Airlines, China Southern Air, Shenzhen Airline, Dragonair, and a number of smaller airlines service this airport. The airport is about 25 kilometers (app. 15 miles) from downtown Haikou. From the airport a taxi into the city should cost 35-50 yuan depending on your exact destination. The drivers will quote you much higher rates, so be sure to haggle a little. There is also an airport shuttle bus that will take you into town for 25 yuan. Once downtown you can walk or take a taxi to your hotel.
If you are coming from Hong Kong, you will usually find a better deal if you go to Shenzhen first and fly from there.
Boat
There are two ports in Haikou: Xiuying and Xin Gang. Boats leave daily for coastal cities. Ships run between Haikou and Guangzhou, Zhanjiang, Hai’an, Shekou, Beihai. There used to be service to Hong Kong, but last I checked, there were no boats headed to and from Hong Kong. Shekou is a port of Shenzhen, and from there it is not difficult to reach Hong Kong. The schedules for these routes change seasonally, so it’s best to check ahead of time.
Haikou Ticket Office of Xiuying Passenger Station: No. 7 Haifu Road, Telephone: +86 (0)898 - 65351557
Local travel agencies will also be able to give you information.
Train
A train, which travels by boat, runs between Haikou and Guangzhou. The entire journey takes about 12 hours.
Tickets can be purchased at Haikou New Port (Xin Gang) Ticket Office (transferring at Guangzhou) and at Xiuying Port Ticket Office (transferring at Zhanjiang).
Ticket Office of Haikou Railway Station Telephone: +86 (0)898 - 6865 6554, 6870 3955, 6675 0779
Bus
Buses run regularly from major cities in Southern China. The bus ticket will also include the ferry ride to the island.
Getting Around Haikou 游览海口
Using the different modes of transportation in Haikou is a cultural experience in itself. Within the city there is an efficient bus system that will take you anywhere you want to go. However, if you don’t read Chinese, deciphering the bus routes can be a challenge....
Using the different modes of transportation in Haikou is a cultural experience in itself. Within the city there is an efficient bus system that will take you anywhere you want to go. However, if you don’t read Chinese, deciphering the bus routes can be a challenge. Some bookstores sell city maps in English with bus routes marked on them. At Creation Bookstore on the top of Mingju Square, the main downtown shopping area, you can find these maps. Sometimes sell maps on top of the pedestrian bridges as well.
Taxis in Haikou are more expensive than many other cities in China as the meter starts at 10 RMB. Also unlike other parts of China, it is common to bargain and settle on a rate before getting in. Even if you don’t know how far you are going, you might want to ask first what the fare will be. Whether you want to accept the offer or bargain for less is up to you. By taking this measure, you will likely avoid a driver who attempts to drive you in circles for half an hour for a 3 kilometer ride. This happens frequently in Haikou.
Motorcycle taxis are the outlaws of transportation in Haikou. They will usually cost about half the cost of a regular taxi does and are a lot more fun, albeit more dangerous.
Motorcycles and bicycles with a sidecart are available for short distances downtown. There are limitations as to where they are able to go. They usually charge between 2-5 RMB for short distances.
Top Haikou Tours
$300 Per Day
Claire's tour to Haikou
Haikou is a very nice island belong to China mainland, which is south part of Hongkong, it's a very nice area only has agriculture over there, no industies, so the air over there is very very clean compared with some other cities in China mainland, haikou near ocean, when people walk across the ocean beach, you could enjoy the view of port and nice ocean, people will feel very relaxed.
When we have tour over there, we can talk flight to haikou airport, haikou high speed train is next to airport which is very convenient for people to travel to sanya.