Haikou
Hainan’s relaxed capital — heritage arcades, a dormant volcano you can walk into, and the gateway to the island’s east coast.
About Haikou
Haikou rewards a slow morning: coffee in the restored Qilou arcade streets, then the Shishan volcanic park where you descend into an old crater. It is also the natural starting point for the island’s classic east-coast route — Wenchang, Boao and Wanning — ending in Sanya. Fewer crowds than the resort bays, more everyday Hainan.
Highlights
- Qilou arcade old town
- Shishan Volcanic Park
- Hainanese coffee culture
- East-coast island route
Recommended experiences
Hainan East Coast 2-Day: Haikou to Sanya
Two days down Hainan's classic east coast from Haikou: Wenchang coconut groves, Boao's Jade Belt beach and a Nanyang coffee stop in Wanning, ending with drop-off in Sanya.
Haikou: Arcade Old Town & Volcano Park
A full day reading Hainan's roots: morning coffee and Nanyang-style arcades in the old town, then descend into a real dormant crater at Shishan Volcanic Park.