Haikou

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Haikou (海口) is the provincial capital of Hainan Province in southern China and is located at at the north end of the island.

[edit] Understand

Haikou is a fairly large tropical coastal city. Haikou has a different vibe to many cities on the Chinese mainland. The tropical climate is probably a major influence on the laid-back atmosphere. Whereas on the mainland many cars drive too fast, in Haikou many drive too slowly. The local Hainanese man has a reputation for being somewhat lazy and can be seen sleeping in the street during the afternoon and then playing cards with friends until the small hours of the night. Silk pajamas can be seen worn during the day and add to the atmosphere. You will not be hassled to buy anything which makes a refreshing change to more touristy cities.

Many streets in Haikou are quite different during the day compared to the evening. Small outdoor restaurants and stalls fill the streets in the evening and many areas are at their busiest from 9PM to 1AM. Local favourites are BBQ stalls which serve cheap local beer till late.

You will soon notice the abundance of coconut trees within Haikou. Most streets are lined with them. Its greener than most Chinese cities and has decent air quality.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Haikou is a transport hub with flights to many cities and boats to nearby mainland cities such as Beihai and Zhanjiang. Tiger Airways now flies from Singapore and Air Asia to Kuala Lumpur.

[edit] By train

There is a train link between Haikou and Guangdong province (the trains are loaded onto ferries to cross the sea). So you can get the train from Guangzhou to Haikou. The trains actually start and finish in Sanya, but it takes about an hour by bus to get from downtown to the train station, and the train station in Sanya is also far from that city's downtown area.

[edit] By bus

Buses connect Haikou to many cities on the Chinese mainland, including Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guilin, and Nanning. Most buses are overnight sleepers. Buses are loaded on to ferries and arrive in Haikou at either Xingang port or Xiuying port. Here's a few examples showing journey duration and price. 

From/to 	Duration (hours)	Cost (RMB) 
Guangzhou	16 	                250 
Guilin	        18                	220

[edit] By boat

Haikou - Haian. There are frequent daily ferries between Haikou and Hai'an. Takes around 1.5 hours and costs about 35 RMB. There are bus connections from Hai'an to other cities, but the options are limited compared to Haikou, especially in the evening.

There are daily Haikou-Beihai ferries, taking around 12 hours and costing between 120 and 230 RMB per person, depending on number of people sharing a cabin.

[edit] Get around

There are four main forms of public transportation in Haikou:

1. Three-wheeled bicycle which start at 2 RMB and can be used for short distances

2. Three-wheeled motorcycle which are a little bit more expensive than the bicycle but faster

3. Taxi which is the most expensive option. The are easily hailed everywhere in the city. The meter starts at 10 RMB, but it is customary to bargain before you get on.

4. Bus: very inexpensive, but you need to know the routes

[edit][add listing] See

Explore old city streets, markets and fishing areas.

Relax on Holiday Beach.

Explore caves and ancient volcanic villages in the geological national park.

Xiuying Battery (Xiuying Gupaotai) is a 19th century coastal fort near Evergreen Park. It can be visited for 10 yuan (you may have to wake up the ticket seller). As of February 2008, the exhibition hall inside the fort is closed, but you can still see the replica cannons, the underground chambers, and many banyan trees.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

Chao Bing. Literally translates from Chinese Mandarin as ‘fried ice’, however it tastes much better than it sounds. First select any combination of the fresh tropical fruits on display. The fruits are chopped and blended. A device that looks similar to a frying pan is used to freeze the ingredients in a matter of minutes. This results in frozen fruit snack similar to a sorbet. Perhaps try a combination of Mango and Passion Fruit. A perfect snack for a steamy tropical evening. Costs just 2.5 RMB.

Good Chao Bing vendors can be found on San Xi Lu, just off Renmin Dadao, on Haidian Island in the north of Haikou.

Banqiao Road Local Restaurant Area. This large covered outdoor restaurant area is a unique local experience. To begin with have a look around the integrated fresh food market and choose what you want. There is much to pick from; coconut rice to strange seafood to Cobra snakes. It’s all alive when you purchase so you know its fresh and half the fun is just looking at what’s available. Each set of tables has its own kitchen and the food is cooked however you want. Expect to pay 30-40 rmb per person.

Betel nuts. Illegal in some western countries, Betel nuts are common in South East Asia and India. Chewed for their effects as a mildly euphoric stimulant, attributed to the presence of relatively high levels of psychoactive alkaloids. Spot the locals who chew Betel nuts by their red teeth. Popular with bus drivers. Available on street corners for around 1 RMB.

Local street BBQ food ('XiaoKao'). Popular with locals, these vendors come out in the evening and serve a variety of BBQ'ed food. Choose what you want and take a seat while its cooked. Food is inexpensive and you can also buy cheap local beer. Locals eat, drink and play cards at these places until early morning. Many good vendors can be found on 'Er Dong Lu' on Haidian Island in the north of Haikou.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Drink a fresh coconut. Vendors will chop the top off the coconut and give you a straw to drink the juice inside. Costs 2.5 to 3 RMB. Available on most street corners.

Night Clubs.

Try out Queen's club in Guomao. Beer is cheap for a Chinese club at 10 RMB a bottle.

Pubs and Bars.

Xuewu near Heping road on Haidiandao offers a decent outdoor environment as well as good pub style indoor area.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Get out

Sanya, at the southern side of the island, is famous for its beaches and offers the best tourist facilities on the island. The bus journey to Sanya takes 3.5 hours from Haikou and costs about 78 RMB.

There are sometimes tours to Vietnam, by boat out of Haikou. These are designed for Chinese rather than international tourists, so they tend to give good value for money but not Western comforts.

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