| Haikou |
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HAIKOU City is very much the product of its strategic gateway location
at the mouth of the Nandu River on Hainan Island's northern coast.
First opened as a trading port in the late Qing Dynasty, Haikou today
remains a busy commercial hub and is frequently viewed as part of
the Greater Haikou Area made up of Haikou and Qiongshan cities and
their surrounding districts.
Rich in tradition and alive with its own distinctive culture, Haikou,
or the "city of coconut palms", is truly a "must-see"
destination. Of particular note are the six-km-long Holiday Beach,
world-class hotels and wide array of excellent restaurants offering
up seemingly endless choices in local, regional and international
cuisine. Also on tap are great shopping and inviting nightlife..
- Location
Situated at the northern edge of Hainan Island looking out on the
South China Sea, Haikou City is located 18 nautical miles south
of Leizhou Peninsula in China's southern Guangdong Province across
the Qiongzhou Strait. Haikou is made up of three county-level districts,
has a total area of about 250 sq km, a population of about 650,000
and is adjacent to Qiongshan City to the southeast and adjoins Chengmai
County to the west.
- Climate
Because of its location on an island at the northern rim of the
tropics, Haikou benefits from a monsoon tropical climate. Average
temperatures range from 17.2° C in January to 28.4° C in
July. Average annual sunlight in Haikou is about 2,600 hours, while
average annual rainfall is about 1,300 mm. Visitors to the city
can expect pleasant conditions and clear skies most of the year.
- History
Although it is not known exactly how long people have lived in the
area, it is generally believed that the first inhabitants arrived
between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago. Recorded history begins in the
early Han Dynasty about 100 BC when Haikou and its surrounding district
became part of Daimao County of Zhuya Prefecture. Haikou City was
opened as an open trading port in the late Qing Dynasty and continued
to benefit from its role as the island's commercial center and gateway
with steady long-term growth. Haikou was proclaimed a city in 1926
and a capital city in 1988 when Hainan was established as a province.
Haikou experienced accelerated growth when Hainan was proclaimed
China's largest Special Economic Zone in 1988.
- People
Haikou has long been a magnet for people from across China and
elsewhere in search of new opportunities in an unspoiled environment
that is rich in resources and promise. The city today has a permanent
population of about 650,000 and a floating population in excess
of 200,000. Accordingly, Haikou is a truly multicultural city made
up of a wide range of nationalities including the Han, Li, Miao
and Hui.
- Culture
More than any other urban centre on Hainan Island, Haikou enjoys
a diverse and colourful blend of traditional folk customs and modern
Chinese and western culture. Visitors exploring the crowded streets
and old neighbourhoods near the steel and glass office towers are
sure to hear Chinese opera, traditional folk songs and western pop
music and experience an equally diverse blend of sights and tastes.
Hainan is also home to an eclectic mix of festivals and celebrations.
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