Haikou

Hairui Tomb is a key national cultural protection unit. Hairui, a famous official in the Ming dynasty, was born in Qiongshan and was known as "Hai Qingtian" (incorruptible official). The tomb was built in 1589 and it is said that when people was carrying Hairui's coffin, suddenly the rope broke, and then people decided that this should be the place. Hairui Tomb has an area of 3 ha (7.4 acre). In the middle, there is a high archway on which is written "Yue Dong Zheng Qi". The grave path is paved with granite and there are three memorials on the way. On the sides of the path leading to the tomb, there stands stone statue shaped like sheep, horses, lions, tortoises, and human beings. Hairui Tomb was completely built by granites at three meters and formed like an ancient bell. Evergreen trees are planted around the cemetery. Hairui Cultural Exhibit Hall is also in the cemetery.

A Ming dynasty construction dedicated to five officials who were banished to Hainan during the Tang and Song dynasties for criticism of the government. This is a pretty temple in a tropical setting, surrounded by ponds filled with lilies, winding bridges and exotic palm trees. The main building is the Wugong temple housing life like statues of the five officials and known as the first building of Hainan. The Song dynasty poet, Su Dongpo, is also commemorated here. A Song-dynasty stone tablet, with an inscription dated from 1119 AD, held by a stone turtle (bixi) is one of the important historic artifacts. The Haikou City Museum (listed below), which is not in any way associated with the temple, stands directly opposite the temple.

A 19th-century coastal fort near Evergreen Park. You can visit the fort and see the replica cannons, underground chambers, and many banyan trees. The new museum in the middle of the fort presents the history of the fort and Chinese coastal defence in general, but unfortunately for those who can't read Chinese, everything in the museum is in Chinese only. A short summary of the history in English can be found on a plaque opposite one of the cannon emplacements.

The Red Forest Nature Reserve (Hong Shu Lin) is an unusual and intriguing evergreen forest peculiar to the subtropical coastal area of Hainan. Despite the name, the trees here do not actually have red leaves. When the tide is in, the roots of the trees are surrounded by water, giving the appearance that the trees grow directly from beneath the sea. This aquatic environment is ideal for breeding fish and shrimp and the leaves on the trees here are also said to have medicinal value. This particular type of tree produces seeds which sprout and propagate within their own shell. Tide times vary according to season, but when the tide is in there are some really fun boat trips to be enjoyed, winding in and out of the tree trunks and then on to the tiny island nearby, ripe with pineapple trees. The boat leaves from the entrance of the park when the tide is in. Each trip takes approximately one hour.

Covers 108 km². China hosts one of the few dormant volcanic clusters from the Holocene period (about 10,000 years ago). The volcanic cluster in Haikou comprises 40 volcanoes and some 30 caves, however, most visitors only see the most spectacular volcano and crater. The lava rock villages in the volcano area offer a unique countryside scene and a glimpse into countryside life/culture. Notable villages in the area include Rongtang and Meishe. Both villages feature buildings made from volcanic rock. The park’s Haikou District is of course not the park’s only ‘district’. The other major district is the Zhanjiang District in Zhanjiang.

Located at the northern end of Renmin Avenue (人民大道), in Baishamen Park on Haidian Island in the northern end of the city. Includes a small amusement park.

Beautiful park with green grass, palm trees, and ocean views. Popular with families and runners. The park normally organises special activities for Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival.

Not just a park, this is part of an ongoing environmental project aimed at rehabilitating the Meishe River (美舍何). The project has been heavily promoted by the local media and touted by some government officials as a model for other cities in China. Before and after photos appear to show that the river is much cleaner than before. The main highlight of the park is the artificial wetlands, which have been designed to act as a biofilter for pollutants entering the water. A museum is being constructed at the park to educate visitors about the local ecology.

Features a botanical gardens and a cemetery for PLA soldiers who lost their lives during the campaign to liberate Hainan from Nationalist forces in 1950. The cemetery, like most cemeteries in China, is a hive of activity during the Qingming Festival.

Established in 1935, this is probably Haikou's oldest modern park. The park contains a memorial built in 1954 to honour those who gave their lives for the Chinese Revolution.

The formerly putrid lake has been thoroughly cleaned up and is now a pleasant place for a stroll. Fishing and swimming are prohibited, however.

Also known as Cozy Lake Zoo Park in English, this is a small zoo centered around a lake and is mostly populated by exotic animals from other parts of the world. Besides the swans that live in the lake, you can also see flamingoes, parrots, emus, kangaroos, lemurs, monkeys, goats, llamas and various other species.

Beach park between Xixiu Beach and Holiday Beach.

A theme park established by the famous Chinese film director Feng Xiaogang. The two main 'scenic areas' are 1942 Street and Nanyang Street. The former is modelled on a street in Chongqing that appeared in the film Back To 1942, while the latter is designed to look like a typical Chinatown in Southeast Asia. The main thing to do here is wander about the streets and look at the buildings while doing some shopping and dining. There are also several small museums, including a wax museum, a coin museum, a dragon museum, an earthquake and typhoon museum, and a film museum. Other attractions include an aquarium and a 'snow & ice world'.

A small museum focused on art and local history. The main exhibition halls are on the second floor.

This provincial museum is focused on the history and culture of Hainan Island/Province. The museum is on the east side of the city across the street from the provincial government buildings. The museum is housed in a new, gleaming architectural masterpiece structure. There are exhibits about the people and history of the island.

Housed in an ultra-modern building that looks like a tornado. Features exhibitions on space science, marine science, geology, physics and other branches of sciences. Visitors are required to make a booking before visiting the museum. Bookings can be made on the museum's website and WeChat public account.

This museum depicts the history of Hainan State Farms (HSF). Focuses especially on the development of Hainan's rubber industry. Also includes an exhibition on the Down to the Countryside Movement - a movement during the Cultural Revolution in which urban youths were required to relocate to rural areas, including rubber plantations on Hainan Island. The captions for individual objects are generally in Chinese only, but the introductions for each section are in both Chinese and English.

This museum is actually a branch of a chain of museums based on Jeju Island in South Korea. The museum is divided into three sections. The first section features models of many of the cities on the Silk Road with teddy bears standing in place of humans. The second section displays some antique teddy bears and the last section is filled with teddy bear artwork. Predictably there is a shop near the exit where you can purchase all manner of teddy bear merchandise.

Hainan's largest public library. Visitors are required to obtain a library card before being allowed past the reception area.

Opened on 12 April 2021, this is Haikou's newest landmark building. The quirky design is the work of MAD Architects, a Beijing-based architectural design firm. For the time being, visitor numbers are restricted to a maximum of 400 per day and it is mandatory to make a booking on either the website or the official WeChat account before visiting, though this can only be done in Chinese. The official WeChat account can be found by searching for "晓岛" (Xiaosong Island).

Nice beach with restaurants and cafes.

Nice beach with a few restaurants. Watch the locals windsurfing and jogging. Not as much activity as at Holiday Beach, but closer to the city centre.

The only non-profit organization promoting sea turtle conservation in China, Sea Turtles 911's primary facility is a floating sea turtle hospital in Lingshui near Nanwan Monkey Island, and programs in Sanya and Haikou. While on Hainan Island visitors are welcome to volunteer with the sea turtles and the organization's educational programs. Recommended donation. Go to www.seaturtles911.org for more information.

Haikou's biggest amusement park.

Haikou's only waterpark.

Opened in 2020, this is Haikou's newest performing arts center. It used to be the Haikou City People's Congress. For the latest show schedule (in Chinese only), see the official WeChat account (WeChat ID: 小海艺).