2 days Suggested stayNovember–April A good time to visitHainan South China
01 / THE INTRODUCTION
Find your way into Haikou.
Haikou is an urban introduction to Hainan, with arcaded streets, neighbourhood breakfast and provincial history. It offers a different experience from Sanya's resort bays. Use it for cultural walks and selected coastal or volcanic excursions rather than expecting every hotel to be a beach retreat.
A NOTE FOR YOUR FIRST VISIT
Haikou and Sanya offer different experiences. Plan island rail travel separately from local sightseeing.
02 / PLACES WORTH YOUR TIME
More than the landmarks.
Start with what interests you. These 8 places and areas are a starting collection, not a single-day checklist. Dedicated outings need their own travel time.
01
City & local area
Qilou Old Street
Walk the historic arcades and stop for coffee or snacks.
Original editorial planning notes, informed by the references below. Reference pages accessed 2026-09-25; this is not a live check of every venue. Confirm current access, prices, reservations and transport with operators before booking.
Our first-visit checklist also draws on the practical questions raised in The Historian Traveller’s first-timer guide. Its personal experiences are not official travel rules.
