March 14, 2018 – Haikou, China

 Capital of China’s Hainan province, the vibrant and remarkably modern city of Haikou is situated on Hainan Island, off the southern coast of mainland China. With its strategic location near the mouth of the Nandu River, the culturally rich city grew into a walled fortification during the Ming dynasty. Today, nestled amid its gleaming skyscrapers, the Old Town is a gleaming-white blend of colonial-era Portuguese and French facades with Indian and Arabic accents, a style known as tong lau. Much of the historic district was built by wealthy Chinese from the mainland and today is lined with market stalls and arcades selling colorful wares, from fabrics and clothing to spices and dried foods. 

Today we were to take the included tour which included a trip to the Old Town and then to a park with an amusement park in it. We decided to take the shuttle to the Old Town and wander without a guide. It turned out to be an excellent decision.

It is a rainy and muggy day, as you will see in all the pictures. Haikou is a port that is seldom visited by cruise ships, so it was very Chinese. Compared to Shanghai and Hong Kong, this was what we expected to see in China. Very interesting architecture and people.

As we pulled into the dock they had Chinese dragons doing a show, and as you walked out of the terminal they greeted you with dancing girls and a welcome line.

The shuttle bus drops you at Qilou Street, a unique landscape. On June 10^th 2009, it was among the first scenic spots that were granted with the title of “Chinese Historical and Cultural Street” thanks to its uniqueness and distinctiveness.

Old Street is located on the south bank of the Haidian River and is in the center of the old town. Haikou Qilou has a common seen architectural form seen in hot areas of Southeast Asia, which was deprived from the arcades of Ancient Rome, a type of architectures that was popular in South Europe near the Mediterranean Sea.

Qilou buildings are generally featured with European and Asian characteristics, and their architectural styles are diversified with an obvious impression of ancient Chinese buildings and the imitation of Western architecture, as well as the architectural and ornamental style of South Sea.  They are clearly influenced by Indian and Arabian buildings. The types of Qilou buildings are varied where the window heads, pillars, wall shapes, patios, handrails and carvings are of a unique charm.

The scent of food is also found in this area.

As we entered from the bus there was this really wonderful band playing for everyone that walks by.

All along the street they had an array of statues.

And the bikes and the people and the dog.

And the stores. Take notice one towards the end is a dentist office, right there on the street.

We even saw something cultural, the Thean Hou Temple. It is the Temple of the Queen of Heaven, which was built in Yuan Dynasty. As the earliest temple of the Queen of Heaven, it has a history of more than 700 years and is regarded as the guardian of Haikou in the past. It is the largest Matzu temple in Hainan, an important cultural heritage of Haikou. Notice the high steps from area to area, they are to keep evil spirits out.

That was our morning in Haikou. We really enjoyed it, only downside was there was nowhere to buy a postcard for Oliver.

We now have two sea days, then two days in Vietnam.