Haikou City is the capital of Hainan Province. It is the core of political, cultural, economic and transport, and also the hub of land, sea and air transportation. Because it is located at the largest river in Hainan Island – Nandu River Mouth in the west side. The total area is 218 square kilometers and the urban area is 25 square kilometers with a population of over 40 million. The city is divided into three areas: Zhendong area, Xinhua area and Xiuying area.
The terrain is high in the south and low in the north. It belongs to undulating plain-platform zone. North of the urban area is often the first-level platform with a low terrain. Its average elevation is about 4 meters. South of the urban area is often the third-level and fourth-level platform.
The average annual temperature is 23.8 centigrade. In January, the average temperature is 17.2 centigrade and the lowest temperature is 2.8 centigrade; in July, the average temperature is 28.4 centigrade and the highest temperature is 38.9 centigrade. The average annual rainfall is 169 cm and the rainy days last about 150 days. From May to October is rainy season, accounting for 78.1% of the whole year; September is the peak period for raining and the average rainfall is 30 cm, accounting for 17.8% of the whole year; from November to the following April is dry season.
According to historic records, the maximum annual rainfall happened in 1928 with 248 cm and the minimum annual rainfall occurred in 1936 with 70 cm. The leading wind direction is northeast, followed by east wind and southeast wind. The normal wind rating is level four or below.
Haikou City is full of beautiful sceneries and great places of interest. Some famous scenic spots have: Wugong Temple (Five Officials Temple), Hairui Tomb, Qiuling Tomb, Lishuoxun Memorial Pavilion, Xiuying Artillery, Yazhou Ancient City, People Park, Children Park, Evergreen Garden, Holiday Beach and Huandao Amusing City.
Wugong Temple is also called “The First Building of Hainan Province”. This wooden-building group is built in Ming Dynasty, memorizing the five famous ministers of Tang and Song Dynasty. They are LiDeyu, Ligang, Zhaoding, Liguang and Huquan.
Haikou Wugong Temple.
In the temple, the five stone statues are carved lively. It seems that all of them are thinking something carefully and deeply. Around the temple, Xuepu College, Wugong College, Guanzhong College, Sugong Temple, Gong Bridge, Hechi, Wind Pavilion and Qiong Garden form an old group of buildings.
Xiuying Artillery, constructed in 1891 in Qing Dynasty, occupies about 10,000 square meters, including Gongbei, Zhendong, Dingxi, Zhenwu and Zhenwei Artilleries. The gate of artillery faces north and is near the sea. The soldier and bullet rooms lie on the opposite sides. Between them is a big square.
Xiuying Artillery of Hainan Province, Wusong Mouth Artillery of Shanghai City, Dagu Artillery of Tianjin City and Humen Artillery of Guangdong Province are called the “Four Biggest Artilleries in China”.
Qiongtai Academy is built in 1705 in Qing Dynasty. It’s said that this academy is constructed to memorize Qiujun, who is a bachelor of Ming Dynasty. Because Qiujun is named as Mr. Qiongtai, yet this place called Qiongtai Academy. In the past, this place was the highest college in Qiongzhou, but now is the site of Qiongtai Educational University.
Holiday Beach is situated at the Qingling Street of west side of Haikou City. Along the street, the left side covers abundant of Yellow Forest, among which there are resort, hotels and amusement park. The right side covers Qiongzhou Channel, over which many ships are sailing. The whole beach is 6,000 meters long. The sunlight, seawater, beaches and coconuts form a wonderful natural picture. Holiday Beach includes Day-bath area on beach, Sport area over the sea, Food area and Resort area. There are also some amusing filed: fountain square, natural square, skating square, children’s activities center and so on.