Chen Liu
What’s Inside
You step off the taxi and the heat hits you—and your phone says “No Service.” That’s Haikou in June. But you came for the famous coastal walk, and you’re not leaving without it. I’ve guided dozens of foreign visitors along this exact stretch, and I can tell you: the internet is full of half-baked advice. Let me fix that.
I’m a local guide who has walked the Holiday Beach to Xixiu Beach route more than 200 times. This isn’t a generic list of attractions—it’s a step-by-step, heat-aware, money-saving walking route designed for international travelers. No fluff, just what works.
Why This Route Beats the Rest
Most tourists take a taxi between beaches. Big mistake. The 5km coastal promenade connecting Holiday Beach, Guanlantai, and Xixiu Beach is where the real beauty is—and it’s almost empty because everyone rides. You’ll see local fishermen, kite surfers, and empty benches perfect for a coconut break. Plus, it’s completely free.
Your biggest enemy here is the sun. Between 11am and 3pm the concrete path radiates heat. I always start at 4pm. By the time you reach Xixiu Beach around 6pm, the light is golden and the sea breeze kicks in. Perfect timing.
Before You Go: Crucial Prep
Payment nightmare: Bring cash (small bills) for street vendors. Most stalls don’t accept cards and even Alipay might be a Chinese-only interface. I always carry ¥100 in 10-yuan notes for coconuts and grilled squid.
Maps that work: Google Maps is a lie here. Use Apple Maps or download Gaode (Amap) with English mode. For the route below, I’ve included the Chinese names so you can show them to a taxi driver.
Water and sunscreen: Buy water at a convenience store before you start—beach kiosks charge triple. SPF50+, a hat, and sunglasses are non-negotiable.
Start: Holiday Beach (假日海滩)
Address: 滨海西路, Haikou (show driver: 海口假日海滩, Binhai West Road).
Opening hours: 24/7 (free entry).
Best arrival: Taxi from city center costs about ¥30–40, 25 minutes. If you’re using DiDi, type “假日海滩东门” (East Gate) to get dropped closer to the walking path.
Holiday Beach is the busiest, and frankly, the most overrated part. The sand is clean but packed with Chinese tourists taking selfies. Don’t stop here. Walk east (left when facing the sea) along the promenade. Within 200 meters the crowd thins out dramatically.
What to do at the start
- Buy a coconut: ¥15–20 from a vendor near the entrance. Ask for “yezi” and watch them chop it open. Do not buy the pre-cut ones—they’re often old.
- Use the public toilet near the East Gate. The next one is 2km away at Guanlantai. Trust me, use it now.
- Ignore the jet ski guys aggressively offering rides. They’ll quote ¥150, but you can bargain to ¥80 if you really want. I’d rather save the energy for walking.
Guanlantai (观澜台) Viewpoint – The Photo Spot
Address: On the promenade about 2km from Holiday Beach East Gate. No separate address; just follow the coastal path until you see a large wooden deck with white railings.
Guanlantai is the highest point along the walk—a wooden platform jutting out over the rocks. The view here is stunning, especially at 5pm when the sun starts to lower. I’ve seen couples setting up tripods for sunset shots. The trick? Turn around and look inland—you’ll see Haikou’s skyline with a palm tree frame.
My secret: The railing on the right side of the deck (facing sea) has a gap where you can step down to the rocks. Be careful—they’re slippery. But if you sit there with your feet dangling, you get the best photos with zero crowd in the frame. I’ve tested it on 20+ clients.
There’s a small kiosk here selling drinks and ice cream. Cash only. A bottle of water is ¥5 (normal price).
Restrooms: Yes, but often dirty. Carry hand sanitizer.
Xixiu Beach (西秀海滩) – The Quiet Gem
Address: 滨海大道西段 (show driver: 西秀海滩公园). From Guanlantai, it’s another 2.5km walk east, about 30 minutes at a leisurely pace.
This is where I send all my friends. Xixiu Beach is wider, less crowded, and has a dedicated kite-surfing area. The sand is finer than Holiday Beach.
Facilities: Changable rooms (¥10), showers, and a row of seafood restaurants. The best one is Haikou Bay Seafood (海口湾渔家)—just point to the tanks and pick your fish. Expect to pay ¥100–150 per person for a good meal. They accept Alipay but not international cards; bring cash as backup.
Optional: Rent a bike or join a game
Along the promenade near Xixiu, there are shared blue bikes (Hellobike) that you can unlock with Alipay. If your Alipay isn’t set up for bike rental, ask a local to help—most will. I’ve seen tourists join spontaneous volleyball games on the beach. Don’t be shy; just wave and smile.
Extend to Wanlv Garden (万绿园) – For the Fit
If you’re up for another 3km, continue east along the promenade past Xixiu Beach. The path turns into a tree-lined avenue and ends at Wanlv Garden, a huge seaside park. Total walk from Holiday Beach: about 8km (2–2.5 hours depending on stops).
Wanlv Garden is perfect for a post-walk rest. There are benches, shade, and often local musicians playing.
Exit: Taxis are easy to hail from the main gate. A ride back to city center costs ¥20–25.
But honestly? I rarely recommend this extension unless you start before 3pm. The last section has less shade and the sun gets brutal. If you’re not a walker, stop at Xixiu and take a taxi back—you’ve already seen the best part.
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