Things to do in Haikou

This is half of the Leiqiong Volcanic Geopark; the other half is on the Leizhou Peninsula. Parking is charged, and the ticket office is across the road from the entrance. You can park outside after buying a ticket. The mountain isn't high, and the walk isn't tiring. It's the highest point in Haikou, and legend has it that you can see Wenchang from there. I went in August, and it wasn't too hot. There were small shops selling water along the way, and the volcanic science museum at the foot of the mountain was air-conditioned—a huge plus! We encountered many study tour groups along the way. You can see lava flows, various utensils made of volcanic rock, and even the crater. The volcano is actually a collapse crater, not a place where lava flows out. The first few pictures are of the Seventy-Two Caves, a ten-minute drive away. These caves are lava caves formed by lava flows. You can visit them together. There's an old man at the Seventy-Two Caves who always stands on the road outside, insisting on taking you inside for ten yuan, even if you're already inside, claiming he'll take your picture. Hehehe. By the way, just navigate to "Seventy-Two Caves." If you park here, villagers will ask you for a 10 yuan parking fee. Nobody seems to care. Strong, muscular men can simply refuse. That burly man glared at him, got in his car, and drove off. But ladies, forget about it. There's a farmhouse restaurant near the parking spot on the navigation. They have peacocks and various cats. The owner is friendly, the prices are fair, and the portions are generous. You can have a meal there.

The movie shooting location is great for taking photos, especially portraits. Changing into different outfits and taking pictures there adds to the atmosphere. However, just visiting for the time being might be a bit monotonous and boring, as the activities are limited. The staff member, Xiao Ru, was very friendly and proactively helped me with the show times when I was alone, which was nice. 👍

A city's history and culture are its most captivating aspects. Haikou's arcade buildings bear witness to the "Down to Southeast Asia" migrations that occurred four times during this period. Many Hainan families have relatives in Southeast Asia, and many people arrived in these regions during these migrations. My family, too, was caught up in this historical tide, arriving in Thailand to begin their lives of struggle. I was born and raised in these arcade buildings. They are not just newly built ancient architectural complexes; they are a living, breathing reflection of life, a testament to the ever-evolving lives of the people of Haikou. This is far more powerful than any artificial landscape!

Here, you can explore the mysteries of nature with a forest experience guide, make your own Pu'er tea, and even fall asleep under the stars at the Little Panda Manor, embarking on a wondrous journey of deep integration with nature.

Holiday Beach, Haikou's most beautiful beach. Having traveled from Sanya through Wanning, then Wenchang, and finally Haikou, I've seen many beautiful beaches, but Holiday Beach still surprised me with its stunning beauty. Located on the northwest coast of Haikou, it's a national 4A-level open coastal scenic area, opened in 1995. Admission is free (except for attractions). It stretches 7 kilometers (4.5 kilometers in the core section) and borders the Qiongzhou Strait to the north. It's divided into four areas: beach sunbathing, water sports, marine dining, and leisure resort. Activities include sea bathing, beach volleyball, surfing, hot springs, and sunset viewing and beach barbecues are popular. It's about 10 kilometers from the city center, accessible by taxi or bus. Parking is convenient, the sand is quite clean, and there are places to rinse your feet. The view of the blue sky, white clouds, and sea at dusk is truly beautiful.

We visited the Cloud Cave Library in the evening, which was a bit rushed, but we managed to get inside. There were many tourists there, all there to take photos. The library is built by the sea and has a very unique design. Each entrance offers a different and beautiful view, which is truly captivating. The interior of the library is also very distinctive, with different views from different vantage points. In short, visiting here was a wise and correct choice.

When we lived in Haikou, we loved visiting Wanlv Park. It's a great place for leisure and recreation, and a popular weekend getaway. Wanlv Park is located in downtown Haikou, making it very convenient to visit with numerous transportation options. The park is filled with blooming flowers and shady trees, offering opportunities to enjoy the sea view and take walks.

I'd never seen mangroves before, so I made a special trip to see them during my island-wide road trip. The wetlands by the sea revealed trees growing directly in the water. I took a boat ride and then walked back to the main gate along the boardwalk.

I recommend this place to visit, quite quiet and comfortable. For lovers of water procedures, I advise you to take a scrub, a face mask and your own shampoo and hair mask for women to complete all your rituals. If you plan to visit the place in the evening, you need to take food with you, perhaps something light. Tea is free on site.

The Five Officials Temple, located in Qiongshan District, Haikou City, Hainan Province, is the oldest, largest, and most culturally rich classical temple and garden complex in Hainan. It is also the birthplace of Hainan's exile culture. Covering an area of ​​over 70 acres, it was first built during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The Five Officials Temple is divided into an ancient building area and a new building area. The layout gradually slopes down from south to north. The ancient building area is located on the north side of the complex, at a higher elevation. A rising tour route runs along the north side from west to east, marking the boundary between the two areas. Individual buildings include the Five Officials Temple (Hainan's First Building), Xuepu Hall, Guanjia Hall, West Study, East Study, Su Gong Temple, Two Fubo Temples, Jiongzhuo Pavilion, Fusu Spring, Suquan Pavilion, Xixin Pavilion, and Qiong Garden. The architectural style is distinctly Hainanese, heavily influenced by Lingnan architecture, and possesses extremely high historical, artistic, and scientific value.