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Haikou packs a volcano geopark, a colonial-era arcade district, and a long public beach into a compact capital of about 2.9 million people. Most sights are cheap: Qilou Old Street and Holiday Beach are free, and the main paid attraction, the volcanic geopark, costs about 60 RMB (US$8). Here are the highlights, drawn from our full Haikou travel guide.
Things to Do in Haikou: Historic Sites and the Old Town
Qilou Old Street (Qilou Laojie)
A 600-building stretch of arcaded shophouses along Zhongshan Road and the surrounding lanes, built in the early 1900s in a Nanyang (Southeast Asian colonial) style. It is free and open 24 hours, though most shops run 9:00 to 20:00. Go early morning for empty arcades, or after dark when the lanterns come on and the food stalls fill the back lanes. It is a 15-minute walk from the Haikou Clock Tower, in the heart of the district covered in our Haikou neighborhoods guide.
Five Officials Temple (Wugong Ci)
A temple complex in Qiongshan District honoring five exiled Tang and Song dynasty officials, with halls, a lotus pond, and stone inscriptions. Entry is around 20 RMB and it opens roughly 8:30 to 17:30. It pairs well with a walk through the older lanes of Qiongshan, the city’s former seat.
Tomb of Hai Rui
The grave of Hai Rui (1514-1587), a Ming dynasty official famous for his honesty, in a quiet park in the west of the city. It is a minor, mostly free site that takes under an hour.
Things to Do in Haikou: Nature, Volcanoes and Beaches
Haikou Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark
A UNESCO Global Geopark around Shishan Town, Xiuying District, about 15 km southwest of the center. You can climb into the Ma’anling crater, one of about 40 dormant volcanoes in the park, on a short stepped trail through tropical forest. Admission is about 60 RMB for adults (students around 30 RMB, children under 1.2 m free), open 8:00 to 18:00 with last entry about 17:00. A taxi or Didi from Haikou East Railway Station costs 50-60 RMB each way; the ticket booth may not take foreign cards, so book on Trip.com or pay via WeChat or Alipay, as our Haikou travel tips page explains.
Holiday Beach (Jiari Haitan)
Haikou’s main public beach, a roughly 7 km strip of sand on the west coast with showers, rental umbrellas, and evening food stalls. It is free and open around the clock. Water quality is average for an urban beach, so locals often prefer it for sunset walks and seafood rather than long swims. It is a 30-minute bus ride or 20-minute taxi from the center; the Haikou Marriott Hotel is a 10-minute walk away, one of the picks in our where to stay in Haikou guide.
Baishamen Park
A free seaside park at the north tip of Haidian Island with a lighthouse, beach, playgrounds, and jogging paths along the Qiongzhou Strait. It is popular at sunset and one of the best free spots for families. Buses 3, 6 and 37 reach it from the center.
Evergreen Park (Wanlv Yuan)
A large free green space near the Guomao business district, with lawns, ponds, and views of the Century Bridge. It fills with kite fliers and picnicking families on weekends.
Things to Do in Haikou: Museums, Golf and Day Trips
Hainan Museum
The province’s main museum in the east of the city, covering Hainan’s Li and Miao ethnic cultures, maritime trade history, and the South China Sea. Entry is free with a passport and it opens 9:00 to 17:00, closed Mondays. Budget 2 hours; it is a good rainy-day plan, which our Haikou weather by month page can help you anticipate.
Mission Hills Resort and Feng Xiaogang Movie Town
A golf and resort complex in the south of Haikou with a 10-course golf estate and the Feng Xiaogang Movie Town, a film-set style attraction with period streets and shows. The Ritz-Carlton, Haikou sits inside the estate. Movie Town tickets run 100-150 RMB and it is a 30-minute drive south of the center. Time your visit using our best time to visit Haikou guide, and check Haikou events and festivals for seasonal shows.
