Welcome to Haikou! Haikou, here I come!

Haikou 4 Days 3 Nights Slow Life Guide｜Budget 5000 RMB per person, stay by the sea, enjoy Qingbuliang dessert, explore Qilou architecture, unlock Hainan’s most underrated artistic small city!
You think Hainan = Sanya? Then you’ve missed a treasure city full of coconut breeze, old streets, old dad tea, and Qingbuliang dessert—Haikou! Here, there’s none of Sanya’s crowds, but a spring-like 22°C feel, century-old Nanyang-style Qilou buildings, China’s cheapest seafood stalls, and a cup of Hainan old dad tea for only 5 RMB. This time, with a 5000 RMB budget and 4 days 3 nights, I’ll take you to fully relax in Haikou—no rushing through attractions, no pitfalls, living among coconut groves and sea breeze, tasting authentic Hainan flavors!
Itinerary Overview: Artistic Slow Tour · Easy and Relaxed Route: Qilou Old Street → Wugong Temple → Haikou Bay → Yundong Library → Feng Xiaogang Film Commune → Yecheng Avenue
Total cost: approx. 4850 RMB per person (better deal for two)
*Suitable for: couples/friends/families who love photography, culture, and dislike crowds!
🌇
Day 1: Arrive in Haikou, “slow down” at Qilou Old Street
- Afternoon: Arrive at Haikou Meilan Airport by plane or high-speed train (well connected nationwide)
- Check-in: Boutique guesthouse at Qilou Old Street (380 RMB/night) — open the window to see Nanyang-style Qilou, at night the lights turn it into a movie set!
- Evening: Stroll through Qilou Old Street (free) — century-old Nanyang architecture, red brick arcades, carved balconies, try the “Haikou’s first face” spicy soup rice at Shuixiangkou, paired with a bowl of Qingbuliang (8 RMB), feel the authentic local vibe.
- Night photography: Old street night scene + Haikou Bay light show, every shot looks like a vintage masterpiece!
> 💡Tip: Don’t rush to the beach on day one, first “slow down” and feel the city’s soul.
Day 2: Cultural Day Tour | From Wugong Temple to Yundong Library
- Morning*: Visit Wugong Temple (30 RMB ticket) — “Hainan’s first building,” commemorating five disgraced ministers, see the “Tianya’s first spring” Qiongyuan ancient well, and learn about Hainan’s cultural roots.
- Noon: Taxi 10 minutes to Haida South Gate Snack Street — try Hainan rice noodles (6 RMB), Baoluo noodles (10 RMB), Qingbuliang (have another bowl!), student prices, absolutely delicious!
- Afternoon: Check in at the popular Yundong Library (free) — designed by Ma Yansong, cave-shaped seaside building, few books but unbeatable sea views! Bring a book, sit at the cave entrance and daydream for an hour, listen to the waves turning pages.
- Evening: Walk along Haikou Bay, watch the sunset, and at night enjoy the “Haikou Eye” Ferris wheel light show.
- Overnight: Haikou Bay Seaview Hotel (420 RMB/night), room faces the sea, fall asleep to the sound of the tide.
Day 3: Full Movie Vibes | Feng Xiaogang Film Commune + Mission Hills Resort
- Morning: Taxi or bus to Mission Hills Huayi Feng Xiaogang Film Commune (98 RMB ticket) — 1:1 replicas of Republican-era streets, Nanyang street, old Beijing street, wear Hanfu or cheongsam for photos, 200% photo success rate! NPC interactive performances make you feel like filming a Republican drama.
- Noon: Eat at “Fanghua Courtyard” inside the park, recommended Hainan chicken rice + coconut water (50 RMB per person).
- Afternoon: After the film street, visit Mission Hills New Town — duty-free shops + food street + volcanic rock golf views, buy duty-free goods (cosmetics and perfumes cheaper than Sanya!)
- Dinner: Recommended Qiong Cuisine King Restaurant — authentic Hainan dishes: white-cut Wenchang chicken, Jiajiduck, Dongshan goat, Hele crab (120 RMB per person).
- Overnight: Mission Hills Resort Hotel (450 RMB/night), strong resort vibe, pool + hot springs optional.
Day 4: Coconut Grove Leisure | Yecheng Avenue + Return
- Morning: Bike or taxi to Yecheng Avenue — lined with tall coconut trees, perfect for shooting “tropical tunnel” photos! On the way, visit Hainan Provincial Museum (free, reservation required) — see South China Sea shipwreck relics, Li ethnic culture exhibits, learn about Hainan’s true past and present.
- Noon: Last meal before departure — find a local-recommended seafood stall (recommended: Banqiao Seafood Market), choose your seafood, cheap processing fee, about 100 RMB per person to eat your fill!
- Afternoon: Return via Meilan Airport, grab some coconut candy, Xinglong coffee, pepper powder as souvenirs (100 RMB budget).
Cost Breakdown (per person):
| Item | Cost |
|------|------|
| Round-trip flight/train (depends on departure) | 1800 RMB |
| Tickets + experiences (Film Commune, Wugong Temple, etc.) | 158 RMB |
| Accommodation (3 nights, mid-to-high-end hotels/guesthouses) | 1250 RMB |
| Food (120 RMB/day) | 480 RMB |
| Local transport + taxis | 150 RMB |
| Souvenirs + emergency expenses | 300 RMB |
| Seafood feast + old dad tea and snacks | 712 RMB |
| Total | ≈4850 RMB |
Travel Tips:
- Best season: November to March, most pleasant climate, avoid typhoon season
- Must bring: sunscreen, sunglasses, Hanfu/cheongsam (for photos), power bank
- Upgrade option: add 600 RMB to upgrade to a dual-city tour of Sanya + Haikou, 30-minute high-speed train direct connection!
Share this guide, go to Haikou, and be a traveler who doesn’t rush! Listen to rain in Qilou, daydream by the sea, time travel on film street, chat slowly at old dad tea shops—5000 RMB can’t buy a luxury car, but it can buy a gentle time with coconut breeze brushing your face. 🌴