Haikou is the relaxed, palm-lined capital of Hainan, China's tropical island province, facing the mainland across the Qiongzhou Strait. Its name means sea mouth, and the city mixes arcaded shophouse streets, volcanic parks and long beaches. For many Singaporeans with Hainanese roots it also carries a special pull, as the home of Wenchang chicken, the dish behind Hainanese chicken rice. Comparing flights to Haikou on Traveloka is the easy first step to exploring the island.

About Haikou Meilan International Airport

Location

Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) is on the south-eastern side of the city in Meilan District, inland from the coast. It is the main gateway to northern Hainan and a convenient starting point for trips along the east coast towards Wenchang, Qionghai and Sanya.

Terminals

Meilan has grown with Hainan's tourism and now operates more than one passenger terminal. Your ticket and the airport's signs will show which terminal your flight uses, and it is worth checking before you set off for your return trip so you head to the right building.

Getting to and from the airport

The island's eastern ring high-speed railway has a station at Meilan airport, linking it with Haikou city and with towns down the east coast. Airport buses serve central Haikou, and taxis and ride-hailing cars are available at clearly marked ranks outside arrivals, which is often the simplest option with luggage.

Direct and connecting flights to Haikou

Depending on the season, there may be nonstop routes between Singapore and Haikou, and at other times you will connect through a Chinese or Southeast Asian hub. Turn on the direct-flights filter on Traveloka to check what is running for your dates, then compare connecting options by layover time and airport.

If you plan to explore the whole island, consider flying into Haikou and out of Sanya, or the other way round, and travelling between them on the high-speed train. A multi-city search lets you compare both airports on one trip. When your route connects on the mainland, remember that your first Chinese airport is where you pass through immigration.

When to fly to Haikou

Haikou is tropical, with warm weather most of the year. Summer and early autumn are hot, humid and the main season for heavy rain and typhoons, which can disrupt flights and ferries. Late autumn through spring is drier and milder, making it the most comfortable time for sightseeing and a popular winter escape for visitors from northern China.

From Singapore, demand rises during the June and December school holidays and around Chinese New Year, which is also a peak time for domestic tourism on Hainan. Early October's Golden Week is another busy period. Use the monthly price chart to compare patterns, stay flexible where you can and set a Price Alert for your route.

Popular places in Haikou

Qilou Old Street

Haikou's historic arcade streets are lined with shophouses whose ornate facades blend Chinese, Southeast Asian and European styles. The covered walkways were built for shade and rain, and today they house snack stalls, craft shops and cafes.

Haikou Volcanic Cluster Geopark

South-west of the city, a cluster of dormant volcanoes forms a geopark with crater trails, lava tunnels and villages built from dark volcanic stone. The main crater is covered in lush forest and has walkways around the rim.

Holiday Beach

On the western coast of Haikou, this long stretch of sand is a favourite for evening walks, kite flying and watching the sunset over the strait. Seafood restaurants and parks line the shore nearby.

Five Officials Temple

This historic complex honours officials who were exiled to Hainan in imperial times. Its gardens, halls and pavilions offer a quiet look at the island's past and its role as a place of banishment.

Hainan Museum

The provincial museum covers the island's natural history, the culture of the Li and Miao peoples and the maritime trade across the South China Sea. It is a good rainy-day stop and helps put the rest of your trip in context.

Where to stay in Haikou

Longhua District in the city centre is convenient for shopping, dining and the Qilou streets. Xiuying District to the west is closer to Holiday Beach and the ports serving the mainland ferry. Meilan District, around the airport and the Haidian Island waterfront, suits travellers with early flights or those who want a quieter base near the sea.

Food to try in Haikou

Wenchang chicken

The island's most famous dish is poached free-range chicken from nearby Wenchang, served with ginger, garlic and lime dips. Singaporean visitors will notice its close family resemblance to Hainanese chicken rice back home.

Hainan rice noodles

Fine rice noodles are tossed with a savoury sauce, peanuts, pickles and slices of meat, or served in a light broth. They are a staple breakfast across Haikou.

Coconut chicken hotpot

Chicken is simmered in fresh coconut water to create a naturally sweet, fragrant broth. It is a hugely popular meal to share with friends in the evening.

Qingbuliang

This colourful dessert soup mixes coconut milk or syrup with beans, taro, jelly and fruit over ice. It is exactly what you want on a hot afternoon in Haikou.

Hainan's capital is easy to love. Compare flights to Haikou on Traveloka, choose the routing that suits your trip and keep your e-ticket and 24/7 customer service in the app. Check China's entry requirements for your passport before you fly.