Location: Haikou
Top Things to do in Haikou
Top Restaurants in Haikou
- 1. Jiu Mao Jiu ShanXi LaoMian Guan (JinDing Center)
- 2. Pizza Fuego
- 3. BanQiao Seafood GuangChang
- 4. Xiang Gong (XiangGe LiLa Restaurant)
- 5. Ku Coffee (HaiKou XiangGe LiLa Restaurant)
- 6. Sirena Restaurant (Shangri-La Haikou Hotel)
- 7. Babel Restaurant
- 8. Man Ho Chinese Restaurant
- 9. The Big Fish Bar
- 10. Island Bistro
The 10 Best Things to Do in Haikou, China
Hǎikǒu (Chinese: 海口; Pinyin: Hǎikǒu), is the capital and most populous city of Hainan province, China. It is situated on the northern coast of Hainan, by the mouth of the Nandu River. The northern part of the city is the district of Haidian Island, which is separated from the main part of Haikou by the Haidian River, a branch of the Nandu.
Restaurants in Haikou
1. Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Reviewed By glycerine - Singapore
A zoo/safari experience unlike any other. It begins with a vehicle tour (you need your own car) where you get off a various stations to see elks, elephants, wild boars, camels, ponies, etc. At each station, there will be an option to feed the animals (RMB 5 per pack of food) or take a ride (RMB 10 for a pony or camel). This is interspersed with two safari-style drive-thru stations housing the lions and the bears.
The next part of the facility is a walking trail where you see hippos, monkeys, etc, as well as a variety of flora. Again, feeding opportunities galore, but the food you can purchase includes a raw chicken attached to a fishing pole for the crocodiles (RMB 20). For RMB 40, you get a live chicken to offer to the ligers (yes, ligers) or the crocs. This no doubt will offend some.
If you plan to make the trip, your best bet is to hire a taxi for a day. Probably cheaper to ask a cab driver directly than going through your hotel to arrange. We got our ride for RMB 400 (9am - 4pm).
2. Wanlv Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By soh_kien_peng - Singapore, Singapore
I personally do not find Haikou a very touristy place. Wanly Park (or Evergreen Park) never impresses me as an extraordinarily or spectacularly tourist attraction. I don't see any wow factor in this park. To me, it is just another Botanical Garden like that in Singapore but I don't think it has that wide eco-diversity of exotic tropical flora and fauna as that in the Singapore Botanical Garden.
Nevertheless, I find this park of great greenery, a park of well manicured landscape and a cool place for some reflection and relaxation. It is remotely away from the bustling streets of motorcycles and vehicles that horn incessantly and away from the dust and polluted atmosphere of the central district.
There are many benches and seats around the park. While my wife took out her hand phone to watch her Hong Kong drama, I strolled around to explore the park. I like the tranquil and quiet ambience in this park. I watched a group of `aunties' practicing their dance at one corner of the field. The pulsating music and their graceful dance broke the silence atmosphere and draw much attention from the park visitors and the female lead instructor was so patient to guide the steps of the enthusiastic amateurs.
One unique characteristic of most parks in China is that they are filled with many mass activities - dances, orchestra Performances, singing, etc. These healthy entertainment group activities are good avenues for the aged to gather and spend their time fruitfully. It gives me an impression that the participants were self-motivated and the activities were spontaneously organized with little interference from the authority. Well, in Singapore, the loud music probably received complaints for noise pollution.
There are few sculptures studded around the park. Along the walkway, there were statues of some overseas Chinese philanthropists who returned to Hainan to contribute actively to the `rebuilding of the motherland'. I have much respect for philanthropist like Tan Kah Kee who donated generously towards the construction of universities and schools in China.
There is a Children playground and entertainment corner near one of the entrances of the Park. There are shooting galleries, dart board games and entertainment machines for the children to enjoy themselves. The Park is also a very good spacious ground to fly kites and I saw parents enjoying this hobby with their children. This was unique as our Botanical Garden would not have such a spacious area for kite flying.
There is also an eating corner near the children playground and I ordered some Hainan's specialty dishes to try. The food is wonderful. My wife like the Hainan noodles. I also like the unique artistic decoration of one or two of the stalls here.
The picturesque flora decorations outside two of the entrances of the Park were impressive. There is also a row of flora shops outside the entrances of the Park. The flowers sold were uniquely beautiful especially in such winter times.
Nothing touristy, a typical Chinese Park but there is much greenery and fresh air. The admission is free and there are direct public bus that stop right at the entrance of the Park.
3. Qilou Old Street
Overall Ratings
4 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By Charlie M - San Diego, California
Woke up early one morning to explore the area before a business meeting, and I was pleasantly surprised. The old Qilou architecture along the street and on neighboring streets is beautifully preserved, giving it a very authentic feel. In addition, despite this being one of Haikou's recognized tourist attractions, the area is still very local. You don't feel at all as if you are visiting an area constructed solely for tourism, which is something you sadly find too often around China. Qilou old street is lined with beautiful old buildings, and is definitely worth a visit if you are interested in seeing distinctive architecture and the local way of life.
4. Huoshankou National Geopark
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By Michel W - Davidsonville, Maryland
The Geopark is located a bit outside of Haikou. It is a very nicely done park and surpassed our expectations considerably. There are several smaller outdoor ‘exhibits’ including a cactus garden, wood sculpture garden, old lava patches and caves, old houses, gates and temples and a small pond and an exhibit about volcanoes. These are all very nicely done and quite informative. It is a bit of a hike to the top of the old volcano, which is now covered with trees and shrubs, and you can walk around the rim and descend into it and look at a cave. The park is quiet and clean, and well run. You can easily spend 3-4 very pleasant hours there.
5. Jiari Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By brucianna - haikou
Amazing hot spring complex with a 30rmb entrance fee. As for the beach, it's a public beach only a few miles from the port. Not the best Hainan has to offer but definitely the best you'll get going by way of Haikou City Busses.
6. Rock Hill Volcanoe Haikou
Overall Ratings
4 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By varun_mukthi - London
This attraction seems to be a favorite amongst locals as it was quite crowded at the time we were there. Overall it’s a good day out for the family – good treks, good views of Haikou from the Top but the main attraction, the volcano area itself isn’t too grand. I was expecting more information available in English, which wasn’t there, slightly disappointing. But other than that, it’s quite alright. It is slightly far away from the main city, so not sure how easy it is to reach here via public transport as we had a car at our disposal.
7. Hainan Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By chrisnjack - Darwin, Australia
Secure entry to the museum is maintained so you will need photo ID so have your passport handy.
The exhibits are well laid out and very informative in particular educational on the various tribal, ethnic and religous cultures. There were some sections closed having new displays set up.
You cannot go to Haikou without making the journey to the museum. The museum is closed Mondays but open 9-5 other days. Buses 43 and 48 will take you to and from city or a taxi ride for 30 yuen.
Having the name and address written in chinese characters is helpful when arranging transport.
8. Haikou Zhongshan Road
Overall Ratings
4 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By nancytom2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
This street has an informative sign at one end explaining that this street (along with several others nearby) is an area used by the Portugese in the 1800s. Further down the street, there is a gallery that highlights the history of European influences here--establishing businesses and schools. The architecture is very interesting and unusual. The Quilou style incorporates columns to elevate the upper floors, leaving open-air shop fronts and covered walkways. The upper floors are have Baroque facades with elaborate designs (in stucco?) and arched windows with wood shutters. This Sino-Portugese architecture brings to mind whitewashed Mediterranean buildings and is so expected and lovely. Nice shops and restaurants though, as you might expect, they are pricier than usual. All of this is set in Old Haikou in a lively neighborhood that is fun to see day or night.
9. Renmin Park of Haikou
Overall Ratings
4 based on 31 reviews
10. Mission Hills Huayi Brothers Feng Xiaogang Movie Town
Overall Ratings
4 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Ladytraveljournal - Australind, Australia
Get a special discount from Mission Hills Hotel at RMB88. Normal entrance fee RMB138. Free shuttle bus departing every 20 mins to and forth of Hotel. Stopping by Mission Hills Centreville the shopping centre.
Nothing compared with universal studio.
Good initial start for Chinese movie theme park. Can take some good pics.
Well done !
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