2 Days in Haikou: Eat, Explore & Save Time

Lost my first client at the Haikou ticket counter. He stood there, phone dead, no cash, and the WeChat mini‑program was all in Chinese. I felt awful. That’s why I wrote this—so you don’t end up like him.

After 2 days in Haikou, you’ll want to stay longer. But most visitors mess up the order, waste time on payment, or skip the best local food because they can’t find it. This guide fixes that.

The bottom line: Start early, use Alipay linked to your international card, and bring your passport for every attraction. Now, let’s dive in.

Day 1: Old Streets & Craters

Morning: Qilou Old Street (骑楼老街)

Why go: This is Haikou’s historic arcade quarter—a mix of南洋 (Nanyang) architecture, narrow lanes, and caffeine.

My tip: Walk into the side alleys. The main street is touristy, but 100 meters in you’ll find old men playing chess and a tiny noodle shop that’s been there for 40 years. Order a bowl of Hainan noodles (海南粉)—it’s savory, slightly sweet, and costs about 8 yuan.

Navigation: Google Maps is unreliable in China. Use Apple Maps or Baidu Maps (you can download it). For taxis, show the Chinese address above. DiDi works like Uber and accepts Alipay—save time.

Midday: Haikou Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark (火山群世界地质公园)

About 40 minutes by car from Qilou. This is a UNESCO-listed volcanic field with a well-preserved crater, lava tunnels, and a viewing tower.

Watch out: The ticket booth cashier told me they “only accept WeChat.” But if you insist politely, they’ll take cash. I always carry 100 yuan in small notes for such situations.

What to do: Climb the 369 steps to the crater rim. It’s not hard, but there’s zero shade—bring a hat. The lava tunnel (仙人洞) is cool, literally. Inside it’s 10°C cooler than outside.

After the park, grab a late lunch at a farmhouse restaurant near the entrance. Try the stone-simmered chicken (石山壅羊)—it’s a local specialty.

Evening: Haida Night Market (海大夜市)

Located just outside Hainan University’s north gate. It’s a chaotic, delicious strip of street food – exactly what you imagine.

My routine: Arrive at 6:30pm, walk from one end to the other, and buy whatever smells good. Must-tries: grilled oysters (烤生蚝, 20 yuan for 6), sugarcane juice (甘蔗汁), and the spicy fried tofu (臭豆腐).

Payment note: Almost every stall has a QR code for Alipay/WeChat. Only about 1 in 10 stalls takes cash. So if your phone dies, you’re out of luck. I’ve seen it happen—bring a portable charger.

Day 2: Beach & Film

Morning: Holiday Beach (假日海滩)

Haikou’s most popular public beach. Water is calm, sand is golden. Plenty of loungers and umbrellas (rental 50 yuan for a set).

Pro tip: The section near the Hilton hotel (walk south 500m) is less crowded. I always tell my guests to head there.

If swimming isn’t your thing, rent a bike and cycle the coastal promenade towards Xiuying Pier—it’s about 3 km and very scenic.

Afternoon: Mission Hills Movie Town (冯小刚电影公社) or Volcanic Hot Springs

You have a choice: film sets or hot springs. Both are good, but I’ll tell you which fits your mood.

Option 1 – Movie Town (观澜湖华谊冯小刚电影公社):

• Address: 观澜湖旅游度假区, Longhua District. Show: 龙华区观澜湖电影公社
• Entrance: 148 yuan (two streets), 198 yuan (three streets). Book on Trip.com for a slight discount.
• It’s a replica of Republican-era Shanghai and Chongqing. Great for photos, but can get crowded with tour groups. Go on a weekday if possible.
• Payment: Alipay/WeChat; international card not accepted. Bring enough on your phone.

Option 2 – Mission Hills Hot Springs (观澜湖火山温泉谷):

• Address: Same resort area. Show: 观澜湖火山温泉谷
• Entrance: 198 yuan (adult). Includes access to 30+ pools of different temperatures and minerals.
• Better for relaxation, and it’s less crowded after 5pm.
• Tip: They provide towels and lockers, but bring your own flip-flops.

My honest advice: If you’ve seen movie sets before, skip the Movie Town and go straight to the hot springs. Your body will thank you after two days of walking.

Evening: Qingdao Beer Street or Jinshan Night Market

End your trip with a cold beer and grilled seafood. Qingdao Beer Street (青岛啤酒街) is near the city center, lively and full of open-air seating. Address: 国贸路, Longhua District. Show: 龙华区国贸路青岛啤酒街.

Or, if you want one more round of street food, Jinshan Night Market (金山夜市) is less touristy but equally good. Try the hainanese chicken rice (文昌鸡饭) and the coconut bun.

Where to Eat in Haikou

I’ve gathered my favorite spots that are foreigner-friendly (or at least easy to navigate).

Haikou Travel Tips for Foreigners

Payment & Connectivity

• Install Alipay before you come. Link your Visa/Mastercard. It works at most shops, restaurants, and for DiDi.
• Get a VPN on your phone before landing. Otherwise, Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram won’t work. I use ExpressVPN – pay for a month.
• Download offline maps. Apple Maps works okay. For public transport, use the app “Metro Haikou” (in Chinese, but shows routes).

Transportation

• DiDi is your best friend. It’s like Uber. Pay with Alipay. The app has an English version.
• Metro: Haikou has two lines. Cheap (3-6 yuan) and fast. Stations have English signs. Buy a ticket with cash or Alipay QR code.
• Avoid taxis at the airport: They often overcharge. Use DiDi or the airport bus (line 1 to city center, 20 yuan).

Booking Attractions

• Always carry your passport. It’s required for ticket purchase at all major attractions.
• Use Trip.com or Klook for pre-booking. They accept international cards and give English confirmation. Don’t bother with WeChat mini-programs unless you read Chinese.
• Some parks like the Volcanic Park have a limit on daily visitors. Book at least one day ahead during Chinese holidays (May Day, National Day).

Common Mistakes

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.