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Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, is a tropical coastal city of about 2.9 million people on the north shore of China’s largest island. It has a monsoon climate with no real winter: the annual mean is 24.6°C (76°F), annual rainfall is 1,788 mm, and the year divides into a wet season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. This hub links every part of our Haikou guide, from month-by-month weather to hotels, neighborhoods and festivals.
Welcome to Haikou
Most visitors know Haikou as the gateway to Hainan, the island the Chinese call the “Hawaii of the East,” but the city itself is worth two to three days. Its core is Qilou Old Street, a 600-building arcade district from the early 1900s, and its main natural draw is the Haikou Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark, a UNESCO site where you can stand inside a dormant crater about 15 km outside town. Holiday Beach runs 7 km along the west coast, and the whole city sits across the Qiongzhou Strait from the mainland, 30 minutes by air or an overnight ferry from Guangzhou.
Haikou Weather at a Glance
Haikou’s climate is tropical monsoon (Koppen Am), hot and humid year-round. January is the coolest month at 17.6°C (64°F) average and July the hottest at 28.6°C (83°F). Rainfall is strongly seasonal: the five months from May to September deliver about 1,240 mm of the annual 1,788 mm, while December and January together get only about 62 mm. August is the wettest month (293 mm) and the heart of typhoon season. The full month-by-month numbers are in the Haikou weather by month guide linked below.
Seasonal Snapshot in Haikou
- Winter (December to February): dry and mild, highs 21-22°C (70-72°F), lows 15-17°C (59-63°F), the most comfortable season for sightseeing.
- Spring (March to May): warming fast from 26°C to 32°C (79-90°F), with humid “return south” weather in late February through April and rain building toward May.
- Summer (June to August): hot, wet and humid, highs 32-33°C (90-91°F), August the wettest month, typhoon risk peaking.
- Autumn (September to November): still wet in September and October before the dry season returns in November with highs easing to 25°C (77°F).
Top Haikou Guides
- Haikou Weather by Month: monthly temperatures, rainfall, humidity and sunshine with a data table.
- Best Time to Visit Haikou: the exact months for good weather, low prices and thin crowds, and when to avoid.
- Things to Do in Haikou: the volcano geopark, Qilou Old Street, Holiday Beach, museums and more, with prices and hours.
- Haikou Events and Festivals: Spring Festival, the Coconut Festival, Qiong Opera and the annual holiday calendar.
- Best Neighborhoods in Haikou: Longhua, Xiuying, Meilan, Qiongshan and Haidian Island explained.
- Where to Stay in Haikou: the beach resorts of the West Coast, city-center hotels and the airport side, area by area.
- Haikou Travel Tips and FAQ: airport transfers, the 30-day visa-free policy, money, tipping and safety.
Where to Stay in Haikou
Choose the West Coast (Xiuying District) for beach resorts and Holiday Beach, the city center (Longhua) for walking access to Qilou Old Street and the Guomao malls, or Meilan for airport convenience and east coast resorts. Prices swing hard with the seasons: expect peak rates around Spring Festival and the National Day Golden Week, and 30-50% discounts in the summer wet season. The where to stay in Haikou guide linked above has hotel-by-area picks.
Suggested Hotels in Haikou
The Ritz-Carlton, Haikou
A luxury golf resort with 190 rooms, 16 villas and three restaurants, set on the 350-acre Blackstone golf course inside the Mission Hills estate in south Haikou. Best for golfers and couples who want five-star seclusion and spa facilities. Check rates and availability
Haikou Marriott Hotel
An upper-mid-range resort a 10-minute walk from Holiday Beach with a large pool, spa, water park and three restaurants. Best for families and pool-focused travelers who want beach access without top luxury prices. Check rates and availability
Holiday Inn Express Haikou West Coast
A beachfront budget hotel on Binhai Avenue with a complimentary Chinese and Western buffet breakfast and family rooms. Best for budget travelers and families who want a dependable bed near the sand. Check rates and availability
Haikou Quick Facts
- Best months to visit: November to March (dry season, highs 21-26°C / 70-79°F).
- Warmest month: July, averaging 28.6°C (83°F) with highs of 33°C (91°F).
- Coolest month: January, averaging 17.6°C (64°F).
- Wettest month: August at 293 mm; typhoon season runs July to September.
- Sea temperature: 21°C (70°F) in February to 29°C (84°F) in August.
- Annual sunshine: about 1,895 hours.
- Airport: Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK), 25 km southeast of the center.
