Haikou

Haikou, also known as the "Coconut City", is the capital city of Hainan province, a strategic pivot city in the Belt and Road Initiative and the core city of the Hainan Free Trade Port. It is the biggest transport hub on the island and the political, economic, technological, and cultural center of Hainan province.

The city covers a total area of 3,119 square kilometers, with 2,289 sq km of land area and 830 sq km of sea area. Haikou has jurisdiction over the four districts of Xiuying, Longhua, Qiongshan, and Meilan. It has 21 community streets, 22 towns, 211 communities, and 248 administrative villages.

According to the seventh national population census held by the State Council Information Office on May 11, 2021, the city of Haikou was home to a population of 2.87 million, up by 3.6 percent compared to the previously held census.

A map of Haikou, capital city of Hainan province. [Photo/haikou.gov.cn]

Haikou is a national historical and cultural city, as well as a famous tropical coastal tourist destination. The main cultural attractions in Haikou are the Five-lord Temple, Hairui Tomb, Qilou Old Street, Xiuying Fort, and Qiongtai Academy. 

In 2022, the city's GDP reached 213.48 billion yuan ($31 billion), up 1.3 percent year-on-year. 

Over the past year, the city's added value of industries above designated size was 73.84 billion yuan, increasing by 10.4 percent year on year. The total retail sales of consumer goods in 2022 was 100.3 billion yuan with a year-on-year decrease of 5.1 percent.

Haikou Meilan International Airport built a new terminal and runway as its second phase extension. Both the terminal and runway were put into operation on Dec 2, opening a new chapter in the high-quality construction of an air portal for the Hainan free trade port. In 2021, the airport operated 236 routes, 226 domestic routes, and 39 newly-opened flights. In 2021, the airport hosted 138,900 flights with 17.51 million passengers.

An aerial view of the area around Nandujiang river in Haikou, Hainan province. [Photo/VCG]

This fascinating city features stunningly beautiful scenic promenades, blue skies, seas, sunshine, sandy beaches, and coconut palm trees. With its strong tropical seaside charm, Haikou is becoming renowned for its high quality of life and for being a Chinese residential paradise. 

Haikou's Qilou Old Street [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]