Haikou, Hainan: Exploring China's Unexpected Tropical Gem

Hainan, the tropical island in the south of China, is a popular tourist destination for mainland Chinese and is often referred to as "China’s Hawaii." I started my trip to Hainan with a visit to its capital city: Haikou.

After spending time in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, arriving in Haikou — a tier 3 city with a population of just 3 million — felt almost like a culture shock. I was genuinely surprised by the people, the markets, and the architecture as I wandered through the colourful streets of the Old Town.