Haikou Hainan History, History of Haikou

Haikou, the Capital of Hainan Province and the biggest City on Hainan Island

Haikou originally served as the port for Qiongshan, the ancient administrative capital of Hainan island, located 5 km inland. In the 13th century it was fortified and became a military post under the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). The port is located west of the mouth of the Nandu River, Hainan’s principal river. When Qiongshan was opened to foreign trade under the Treaty of Tianjin (1858), Haikou started to rival the old administrative city. In 1926, Haikou overtook Qiongshan in population. In 1930s Haikou was declared as a separate administrative county. and developed as a port during the Sino-Japanese War (1937–45) . The Japanese occupied Hainan Island from early 1939 till 1945.

Haikou in People’s Republic of China

Since 1949, Haikou has maintained its place as Hainan’s main port, handling more than half of the island’s total trade. It has replaced Qiongshan as the island’s administrative capital. In 1988, Haikou was made a prefecture-level city as well as the capital of the newly created Hainan Province. But before 1988, Haikou was just a town on Hainan Island. Early immigrants said they saw cows on the streets, there was only 2-3 streets with lights during night, not to mention traffic lights. Now Haikou is one of the fast developing cities in China with more than 1.2 million population, 50% of them are new immigrants from Mainland China and is the biggest city, the center of Hainan Island’s Culture, Economy & Transportation.

Day tours in Haikou:

Fengxiaogang Movie Studio & Haikou Dongzhai Mangrove Tree Natural Reserve

Day Tours to Wugong Temple, Qilou Old Street & Hainan Volcano Park

Travel Packages:

4 Days 3 nights Vacation Package in Haikou Wenchang & Boao

4 Days 3 Rounds Golfing Package in Haikou Hainan Island