Photos

Sailing into Haikou from Guangdong province an early morning. I went there on a long overnight bustrip from Guilin. From Haikou, I took a bus down to Sanya to enjoy the beaches there.
Later, I went back to Haikou, and spent a few days. The city is not particularly beautiful, but its old colonial architecture adds some charm and there are a few ok beaches in its vicinity.
The city has a bit of a more laid-back atmosphere than most other provincial capitals in China, and - situated by the ocean as it is - also offers nice seafood.
Before, Haikou had a bit of a wild reputation. It has for a long time been the place where "unwanted elements" were sent by the regime. Later, as the economy opened up, drug use and prostitution flourished. Nowadays, however, it is mostly worth staying there a few days, as mentioned, because of its nice climate and food.