Haikou is in the northeast of Hainan Island and at the place where the Nandu River empties into the sea, hence the name Haikou (meaning the "outlet of the sea".
  In the Song (960--1279), it was called Haikoupu; in 1926 Haikou City was set up; and now it is the capital of Hainan Province, with a population of 210,000. Hainan is the second largest island  in China. Lush with green trees, it is rich in tropical and subtropical fruits and cash plants.

  Hainan poses attraction for its typical subtropical scenery of South China and its many historic sites and scenic spots. Shrine of Five Lords was built up in honour of Li Dayu, Hu Quan, Li Gang, Li Guang and Zhao Ding of the Tang and Song Dynasties. The shrine is flanked by Shrine of Su Dongpo and Dongpo Academy of Classical Learning.
  Over 20 Kilometres away from Sanya City is Tianyahaijiao at the southern tip of Hainan Island, where the vast surface of the blue sea, merging into the blue sky in the distance, is studded with weird-shaped reefs and stone inscriptions, such as "The Earth's End", "Sea Corner", "Pillar of the South Heaven" etc.

  From Tianyahaijiao far out into the sea is vast expanse of water shimmering under the warm sunshine and the dazzling silvery expanse of white waves commingled with clouds and dotted with white sails presents a magnificently fascinating sight. Greater Heavenly Cave and Lesser Heavenly Cave help visitors recall Mao Kui's tour of Hainan Island with his inscriptions "Scenic Heavenly Cave", "Lesser Heavenly Cave", "Scenic wonders of Sea and Mountain and "Notes on Greater and Lesser Caves" to add fame to Hainan during the Song.

  Situated in Nanwan Peninsula, Lingshui County is the only nature reserve and habitat of monkeys in China, Macaque Island. On the island inhabit 25 groups, about 1,000 Henghe monkeys of low physique. It is fun to watch monkeys frolicking by threes or fives, chasing one another and scrambling for food. In addition, other tourist attractions include tropical botanic gardens, hot springs, the tomb of Hai Rui, Lingshui Pearl Breeding Site, deer grounds, and villages of Miao and Li nationalities.

  Hainan Island enjoys high reputation for its tropical fruits and seafood. Local arts and crafts include rattan work and ox horn carving. Civil flights are made from Haikou to Guangzhou and Zhanjiang and seagoing vessels sail to Guangzhou, Beihai, Zhanjiang, the Xisha Islands and Hong Kong. Major hotels launched into service include the Hainan Hotel, Qiongyuan Hotel, Wanghailou Hotel, Overseas Chinese Mansion, Qiongzhou Hotel, Nantian Hotel and Taihu Hotel, with good service provided.