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The original island inhabitants of Hainan are the Li, people who settled the Island as long as 3000 years ago and developed it until they were conquered by the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) who included it into their Empire. The Li are still firmly represented on the Island, although a recent mass influx of migrants from countries across South-East Asia (returning Chinese Citizens and Pensioners) and from mainland China.
Today the dominant ethnic group on the Island and in Haikou City are the Han who now make up 83% of the Population. In the past other Ethnic Groups shared living space on the Island. These were the Li, the Miao and the Zhuang. Today the Li make up a considerable 16%, the share Miao ethnic group on the island has dwindled to a marginal 0.8%, similar to that of the Zhuang - 0.7%. Hardly mentioned there is also a considerable Hui presence on the Island due to its Maritime History.
Another very small minority, the Danjia (or Tanha) can also be found in Haikou, although their native village and strongest ethnic community is the village of Xincun on the south-eastern coast of Hainan Island, near Sanya.
Ethnic Minorities in Haikou & Prefecture
Haikou Today :
History of Haikou:
Haikou Climate & Weather :
Haikou Basic Knowledge :
The Haikou Report
Introduction to Haikou (海口)
Haikou Landmarks & Monuments
Haikou City & Area Maps
Location : 20°02′34 North 110°20′30 East
Elevation : --No information available--
Surface Area:
Total surface area of City Prefecture 2.304.84 Sq Kilometers (889.9 sq miles)
Population: The Total Urban Population of Haikou counts around 1.8 million souls, up considerably in the last few years as a wave of Government and Private Investments has created a tourist boom and accompanying real estate bonanza. In the year 2006 the census recorded one million inhabitants less, some 830.00 Citizens. The large influx of new citizens has created large changes in and around the city.
Haikou is by far the largest city on Hainan island (Hainan Dao) and serves as administrative the Capital of the Island Province.
Haikou, literally translated from Chinese means ′mouth of the sea′, which is exactly what Haikou represents. Historically Haikou was a reasonably important harbor city, and fishing and shipping was the main industry.
The City is located on the eastern half of northern coast of the island, only some 15 kilometers from the mainland and the coast of Guangdong Province, which lie across the Hainan Straights. The Hainan straights connects the Gulf of Tonkin in the west with the waters of the South China sea in the east. Haikou itself is located along the narrowest length of the Hainan Straights which is known as the
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Some of the most well known landmarks of the City are found near Haikou Park in the center of Haikou. The very few other sites of interest are scattered about the city and nearby regions.
Apart from the Haikou Park the city center is enriched by are Xi Lake, the Dong Lake and the Old Quarter of Town located to the North of these.
Those in search of knowledge of the Haikou and Hainan of the past should head down to the Hainan Provincial Museum which was established in Haikou in the year 1984 AD and moved to an entirely new facility in 2005. It now stands at Guoxing Avenue, adjacent to the Provincial Library and Provincial Arts and Culture Centre, an interesting mix. The Museum is the best place to start for anyone interested in the history of the Island and its Capital City.
Currently, there are four exhibits or sections available. These are the "Hainan History Display", the "Hainan Ethnic Minorities Display", the "Hainan Intangible Cultural Heritage Display" and the "Hainan Cultural Relics Display".
The main temple of Haikou, the Five Officials Memorial Temple stands but a kilometer away to the East. Other sites within the city ceneter include the Haikou orkers Cinema, the Haidian River and Ertong Park, and perhaps the location and facility of the former airport of Haikou.
Head out to the harbor to see the Xiuying Harbor Battery or travel only 2 kilometers beyond to land yourself on the cities main beach. The Tombs of Hairui, some 1.5 kilometers from the city center complete the local tourist itenerary.
Head out east to the Town of Wenchang on the coast to experience some of Hainans history and Ethnic Culture. At Wenchang, one can admire the palm planteries or try for the beach. Chicken Dinner after, whether you are a winner or not. Xincun Village nearby Sanya is Hainans main home of the Pearls which are cultivated by the ultra-rare Danjia Minority. The nearby Rhesus Monkey colony also provides for unusual entertainment.
A Full listing of Haikou City Landmarks, Monuments, Hotspots and other sites of importance in alphabetical order. Search through the list to find your Full Report and Photo-Virtual Tour of each monument or landmark within the City, or Region of Haikou in Hainan Island Province of China (PRC).
Public Transport in Haikou
Haikou Railroad Station:
Although there is a Railway Station available in Haikou, peculiar enough NO railroad tracks have been layed across the Island. Thus, on the Island all traffic travels by road. The Railraod Station of Haikou only serves one destination, which is the port of Hai′An, from where the train travels to its ending point at Guangzhou′s Central Station. The train leaves Haikou Station (Haikou Zhan) to travel to Xiuying, where the entire train is driven aboard the ferry to Hai′An.
Haikou′s International Airport is located some 25 kilometers due East of the center of Haikou City at Meilian. Meilian Airport is a busy and growing airport with connections to a large variety of cities in China. Main National destinations are the National Capital at Beijing, Guangzhou in Guangdong province just across the Hainan Straits, Kunming in Yunnan Province, Nanning in Guanxi Zhuang AR, Shanghai and Shenzen. Many more destinations including regional and international are available.
As a Chinese City on an Island off the South Coast, Haikou City has quite an unusual history. It is said that some 3000 years ago, at around 1000 BC the Island of Hainan was first settled by Man. The original inhabitants then became the Li People of today, the most influential and largest ethnic minority group on the Island.
Capitalism is a main theme in Haikou City and crime has been steadily on the rise in the last few years. Although the problem is no longer as blatantly visible as in the past, prostitution remains a thriving economic activity. Prostitutes do not wander the streets, but massage and Karaoke Parlors abound throughout the city, providing ample corners for a private transaction. Finding a girlfriend or escort is not really a problem in Haikou′s many bars either.
Since the year 2010 officially designated as a tourism develepment zone, and increasingly the playground of the newly rich and affluent in China, Haikou is experiencing a development boom not only in real estate, but also in tourist activities. Moving away from the classical visit to the pearl fisheries and the few historical landmarks of the City of Haikou and Hainan Island, the latest tourist attarctions are found in modern architecture, a prime element of which is Haikou′s millenium bridge spanning Haikou harbor. Furthermore, due to the influx of development Capital and affluent new citizens and investors, there are many fresh new events organized locally. The most spectacular recent additions is the popular Haikou Hot Air Balloon Challenge which was first organized in the year 2011. During the event, which takes place in the 2nd week of June, the race contestants are expected to fly across the Qiongzhou Strait from the city of Haikou and reach a designated place in Xunwen County on the Leizhou Peninsula, part of the Chinese mainland in the neighboring Province of Guangdong. Before the race however, a grandiose show is put on, with all contestants presenting themselves in a Parade, which involves lots of fiery burst from gas burners mounted on pick up trucks.
The City of Haikou lies on the northern edge of the torrid zone and lies within the inter-tropical convergence zone. In lay-men's terms this means that the rainy season includes several tropical storms or typhoons each year and lasts from April through to October. However, by far the most typhoons occur during the period when the sea is warmest, which is in August and September.
Hainan Island is Chinas tropical getaway Island paradise. As such, it enjoys fair weather most of the year and has a subtropical climate. Winters in Hainan are never cold and instead fairly warm and with high humidity. Summers can be searing hot again with high humidity.
In principle Hainan is popular as a beach resort and Island getaway all year around. During the typhoon season of August-September things can get pretty rough with heavy rains, cloudy skies for days, possible evacuations, and incidental deaths.
Today′s Haikou however is no longer the thriving fishing harbor and busy trading port that it used to be. Although the harbor is still of huge influence, the local economy has been taken over by a relatively new force, the force of mass tourism made visible the influx of tourists, real estate agents, developers and the like. As a result, new resorts, appartment blocks and hotels have arisen everywhere, and are still being built today. The recent priority given by the National Government for the development of Hainan Island as China′s number 1 sunny beach holiday destination has only added to the frenzy. No wonder that it is said that life is good and extravagant on Hainan Island and in its Capital City Haikou. Depending on what one is looking for this can be entirely true. That is, the city of Haikou, through an influx of 1 million new citizens has attracted various caracters from literally just about any place within China (P.R.C.). Many, if not all came to the Island looking for the Chinese version of the ′american dream′, which results in an unusual athmosphere of rampant Capitalism combined with sunshine and optimism. The Palm Trees on Hainan island do seem to grow taller each year. On the downside, the original citizens of the city of Haikou seem to have been crowded out. The slow days of yesteryear have gone and not much trace can be found of the old fishing culture on the Island, nor are there historic neighborhoods to be viewed and visited within the now thoroughly modern city of Haikou.
As there are very few historical places to visit in Haikou - most are located around Haikou Park and in the nearby old quarter, the main attraction of the City must be its climate. In Haikou that often means not so hot the temperatures and circumstances during the daytime, but rather the excellent and enjoyable experience of evenings and nights on the Island. At this time, even in the midst of summer, temperatures are perfect for outdoors excursions, city outings and perhaps more. Casinos from Macau and other world cities have been begging at the chance to transform Haikou into the next Casino Resort City, however so far the Chinese Government has not been positive about this option. Regardless , Haikou may make it after all as the number resort town in China. That is, anyone looking for the best place to host a summer beach party would do well to come to Haikou, or Hainan Island at least.
Todays Haikou can be divided into several zones depending on function. In the Northwest lies the xiuying harbor and the cities beach zones. Inside the city most tourist facilities such as shops, hotels atm machines and restaurants are located in the geographic center of the city which is the area around Haikou Park. There is no train station with transport to other cities on the Island so the next alternative is the Bus Station which lies south-west of Haikou′s central town. The Airport lies some 25 kilometers due east of Haikou.
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Xiuying and Xingang Harbors - Ferries and Ships to- and from Haikou Harbor:
Apart from taking the airplane in, another popular mode of transport to and from the City of Haikou and Hainan island is by Ferry. In principle Haikou counts two harbors but by far the most passenger departures leave from the Xiuying Passenger Ferry Terminal. Tickets for all destinations can be purchased most easily via the local CITS (international) Travel Agency and Office. Either order the tickets delivered to your hotel room or go down in person to get them in hand. Naturally, many other agencies big and small help supply tickets.
To travel to the harbor, either go by taxi or try the Bus.
Bus Line 3 connects to Xiuying Harbor and the Ferry Point. Bus Line 212 and 218, as well as mini-buses serve the second harbor at Xingang.
From the Xiuying Harbor Ferry Terminal boats travel across the Qiongzhou Straight directly to the harbor city of Hai′An, which is situated on the south side of the Leizhou peninsula which is attached to and part of Guangdong Province. In Hai′An one can travel by bus in many directions and to many destinations including Zhanjiang City and the Capital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou.
Different larger ships ferry directly between Guangzhou, sailing from Haikou around and up the Pearl River. Generally these boats sail at 4 PM on monday, tuesday, wednesday and friday. The journey takes about 20 to 25 hours depending on weather.
Head out to Xingang Harbor, the second harbor in Haikou to catch the overnight boat to Beihai on the coast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from where one can travel on by Bus or Train.
It requires no early start as the boat leaves at a comfortable 18:00 PM sharp, leaving passengers to relax and enjoy some rest and sleep.
The last and perhaps most interesting option is to travel from Haikou directly to the Republic of Vietnam. Departures are said to be irregular, but ships heading to Vietnam leave from the Xiuying Port. The usual time of departure is 19:00 PM on monday, wednesday and friday but you are advised to check closely (via CITS) if the schedule will be held. The journey to the Vietnamese Coast takes around 13 hours. Make sure you have a proper VISA for Vietnam, otherwise boarding is impossible.
Airport : Haikou Meilian International Airport
There are no Maps available on Haikou City and Prefecture at this Time.
NEW Bus Station of Haikou - Getting around Haikou and Hainan island:
Head down to the Bus Station to travel independently to all cities and towns across the Island. Naturally, for the smallest and remotest of towns it takes some puzzling to figure out the correct Bus Line and Bus to board.
First of all, the Bus Station serves as starting off point for any Bus leaving for the Harbor and then on by ferry to Guangzhou and other destinations.
Furthermore the new Bus Station is the starting point for all Bus Lines heading to Sanya, Wuzhishan and other parts of the Island. The Bus Ride across the Island to Sanya takes up around 3 hours. Buses to Sanya and Wuzhishan travel five times daily and take a route along the eastern island expressway.
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