Info for Travelers City Snapshots Haikou - Hainan`s Hallowed History
Haikou - Hainan`s Hallowed History
Ancient Chinese temples, grand old city streets, Haikou is a historic centre with all the features of a modern city – shopping, restaurants, exciting nightspots – a place that will feed your curiosity and stimulate your mind.
Haikou is the capital of Hainan, and with a population of around 1.8 million it is by far the largest city in Hainan. Known as the “Coconut City”, Haikou is the vibrant heart of Hainan and home to some of the regions most prominent historical sights and modern developments.
An island destination like no other, Haikou enjoys all the luxuries of a ‘big city’ but without the pollution and smog to ruin it. Recently tested to be the second cleanest city in all of China, Haikou is rapidly becoming one of the most dynamic and important cities in Southern Asia. It has also been transformed into China’s new shopping Mecca with the recent “duty free” exemption status, resulting in an explosion of new and exciting shopping developments right across the city.
With some of China’s most important and dramatic developments happening in Haikou in recent years, it has been reinvigorated into a bustling modern metropolis, beautifully mixing the modern with the traditional. Taking a walk through the “Old Quarter” of town the elegant mix of South East Asian, Portuguese and even French architecture with the traditional Chinese is a particular highlight of this beautiful city.
This fantastically diverse two thousand year history is also evident throughout the city. With such historic attractions as the Wugong Temple, the Tomb of Hai Rui and the Xiuying Emplacement all ancient Chinese treasures that draw in curious visitors to witness their wonder.
Historical marvels are matched only by the diverse human presence that flows through the city – with more than 20 ethnic groups including the Han, Li, Miao and Hui who inhabit Haikou. The mix of local and Chinese traditions creates a cultural aspect to Haikou that continues to attract thousands of visitors to the island.
