Quick Facts: Port — Haikou, Hainan Province | Country — China | Terminal — Haikou International Cruise Terminal (秀英港) | Docked (alongside berth) | Distance to city center — approx. 8 km to downtown Haidian Island | Time zone — CST (UTC+8)
Haikou serves as the gateway to China’s tropical island province of Hainan, and its cruise terminal sits in the Xiuying Port district, making Haidian Island’s old streets, volcanic lava fields, and fresh seafood markets surprisingly accessible. The single most important planning tip: download WeChat Pay or Alipay before you arrive — cash is still accepted at markets and temples, but most locals and vendors in Haikou now operate entirely cashless.
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Port & Terminal Information
The Haikou International Cruise Terminal (Xiuying Port / 秀英港) handles all cruise calls. It’s a mid-sized facility with a modern passenger building, and ships dock alongside — no tendering, which means no waiting for a boat ashore and an easier return countdown. Find your exact terminal location on Google Maps before departure.
Terminal facilities include:
- ATMs (UnionPay primary; Visa/Mastercard acceptance inconsistent — withdraw before you board in a major port)
- Tourist information desk with English-language maps of Haidian Island
- Small convenience shop and café landside
- No official luggage storage — leave bags onboard
- Free Wi-Fi in the terminal building (patchy signal)
- No dedicated shuttle bus from terminal to city; taxis queue outside
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Getting to the City
- On Foot — Not practical. The terminal is in an industrial port zone with no walkable attractions nearby. Skip it.
- Bus — Route 37 connects Xiuying Port to central Haikou (near Haidian Island) for approximately ¥2 (under $0.30). Journey time is 35–45 minutes depending on traffic. Buses run every 15–20 minutes. Exact change or a transit card makes boarding easier.
- Metro — Haikou Metro Line 1 has a station at Xiuying (秀英), a 10-minute walk from the cruise pier. Rides to Haidian Island stations cost ¥3–5 and take about 20 minutes. This is your cleanest, most reliable option.
- Taxi — Metered taxis from the terminal to downtown Haidian Island run ¥30–50 (~$4–7) and take 20–30 minutes. Use the Didi app (China’s Uber) instead of hailing street taxis — it shows the fare upfront and eliminates negotiation. Avoid unlicensed private drivers who approach inside the terminal.
- Hop-On Hop-Off — No dedicated HOHO bus operates in Haikou at time of writing.
- Rental Car/Scooter — Possible but impractical for a single cruise day — you’ll need a Chinese driving licence or an international permit endorsed for China.
- Ship Shore Excursion — Worth it specifically for Volcanic Cluster National Geopark or the Dongzhai Harbour Mangroves, where independent transport is genuinely complicated. For Haidian Island’s urban sights, go independently and save the premium.
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Top Things to Do in Haikou, Haidian Island
Haikou punches well above its reputation — colonial arcades, volcanic stone villages, and the freshest seafood in southern China are all within striking distance. Here are the highlights, organised by type.
Must-See
1. Haidian Island Old Street (骑楼老街) (free) — A beautifully preserved stretch of early 20th-century Nanyang-style arcaded shophouses, best explored on foot. Vendors sell candied winter melon, fresh coconut juice, and local snacks from the same storefronts their grandparents ran. This is Haikou’s most photogenic neighbourhood, and it’s free. Book a Private Hainan Haikou highlights city day tour on Viator 🎟 Book: Private Hainan Haikou highlights city day tour if you want a guide who can explain the colonial history in context. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
2. Five Officials Memorial Temple (五公祠) (¥15 / ~$2) — A classical Chinese temple complex honouring five Tang and Song dynasty officials exiled to Hainan, set in peaceful gardens with ancient banyan trees. It’s compact but genuinely moving — great historical grounding before hitting the market streets. 45–60 minutes.
3. Hainan Provincial Museum (海南省博物馆) (free) — Outstanding permanent collection covering Hainan’s Li and Miao ethnic minority cultures, maritime Silk Road artefacts, and natural history. Air-conditioned, English labels on major exhibits. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). 1–1.5 hours.
Beaches & Nature
4. Haikou Volcanic Cluster National Geopark (海口石山火山群国家地质公园) (¥80 / ~$11) — A UNESCO-recognised cluster of 40 extinct volcanoes about 15 km southwest of the city. You can walk into a crater, explore lava tube caves, and wander a traditional volcanic-stone village that’s still inhabited. Getting here alone requires a taxi or Didi (~¥50 each way). A guided tour on GetYourGuide is honestly the more efficient choice for a single cruise day. Allow 2.5–3 hours including transport.
5. Xiuying Battery (秀英炮台) (free) — A well-preserved Qing dynasty coastal fort from the 1890s, just 2 km from the cruise terminal. Four original German-made Krupp cannons still point toward the strait. Almost no tourists come here, the fort is atmospheric, and it’s your easiest cultural stop right off the ship. 30–45 minutes.
6. Evergreen Park (万绿园) (free) — A long seafront park along Haikou Bay with walking paths, exercise stations, and excellent views across the strait to the Leizhou Peninsula. Best at dusk; workable for a quick stroll mid-morning. 30 minutes.
Day Trips
7. Dongzhai Harbour Mangrove Reserve (东寨港红树林) (¥30 / ~$4) — China’s largest mangrove nature reserve, about 35 km east of the city. Boat trips through the root systems and bird observation towers make this genuinely spectacular for nature lovers. A private city day tour on Viator 🎟 Book: Private Hainan Haikou highlights city day tour that includes this site saves significant logistical headache. Allow 3–4 hours including transport.
8. Meilan Airport Chauffeur Transfer — If you’re extending your trip and need smooth onward travel, a private Haikou Meilan Airport transfer on Viator 🎟 Book: Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer from ~$50 is well-reviewed and removes the taxi language barrier entirely.
Family Picks
9. Haikou Happy Valley (海口欢乐谷) (¥299 adults / ¥199 children) — A large, well-maintained theme park with roller coasters, water rides, and live shows. It’s a full-day commitment, so only worthwhile if you’re in port for 8+ hours. Kids love it; parents survive it. Book ahead online to skip the entrance queue. 5+ hours.
10. Haikou City Tour Bus (Observation Deck Route) (¥20–30) — Open-top sightseeing route connecting key downtown landmarks, suitable for families with young children who need a rest between stops. Departs from near Haidian Island’s main square.
Off the Beaten Track
11. Xinbu Island (新埠岛) (free) — A small island connected to Haidian by bridge, known almost entirely to locals for its fishing village seafood restaurants and early-morning catch markets. Walk the harbour at 7:00 AM and you’ll see an authentic slice of coastal Hainan life that no tour bus visits. 1 hour.
12. Qiongshan Old City (琼山旧城) (free to walk) — The original administrative capital of Hainan, east of Haikou, with a crumbling Confucian temple, old guild halls, and almost zero foreign tourists. Worth combining with a taxi day if you’re curious about historical China beyond the headline sites. 1–1.5 hours.
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What to Eat & Drink
Hainanese food is distinct from mainland Chinese cuisine — lighter, fresher, and built around tropical ingredients: coconut, fresh reef fish, whelks, and rice wine. Don’t leave without trying Wenchang Chicken (the original, not the exported imitation), and always eat where the locals are eating, not where the signs are in English.
- Wenchang Chicken (文昌鸡) — Poached free-range chicken with ginger-scallion oil, served with chicken-fat rice. The definitive Hainanese dish. Old Street restaurants charge ¥30–60 per portion.
- Hele Crab (和乐蟹) — Local mud crab steamed simply or braised with coconut milk. Seafood restaurants on Xinbu Island, ¥60–120 depending on size.
- Qingbu Liang (清补凉) — A cold coconut milk dessert soup with taro, lotus seeds, and red beans, sold from street carts near Haidian Island for ¥5–10. Essential on a humid day.
- Hainan Powder (海南粉) — Thick rice noodles with peanuts, sesame, pickled vegetables, and beef broth at the bottom — mix vigorously before eating. Breakfast staple
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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📍 Getting to Haikou, Haidian Island China
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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