Haikou Haidian River

Haikou Haidian River

The Haidian River is a tributary of the Nandu River. Due to its presence, Haidian Island was formed at the northern tip of Hainan Island. The Haidian River is not wide; during high tide, it fills with seawater, while during low tide, some areas nearly dry up.

Both banks of the Haidian River have naturally formed natural, historical, and cultural attributes, making it one of the most promising tourist and leisure destinations in Haikou’s main urban area. Haikou’s mother river, the Nandu River, splits into three channels here before flowing into the Qiongzhou Strait, forming two pearls on the north bank — Haidian Island and Xinbu Island. The south bank can be regarded as the birthplace of Haikou, boasting profound historical and cultural heritage.

Here lies Shuixiangkou, established during the Ming Dynasty, which served as an official ferry and wharf for the Qiongzhou Prefecture. After the 1858 Treaty of Tianjin, Shuixiangkou Wharf became bustling and prosperous as an international trading port. During the Daoguang and Xianfeng reigns of the Qing Dynasty, cargo ships anchored at the port and transferred goods to smaller sailing boats, which then transported them to Haikou and other parts of the island. Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Shuixiangkou has been home to Southeast Asian-style streets, and these arcade old streets still exude unparalleled unique charm today.

Scenic Area Address: Within Meilan District, Haikou City, Hainan Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 3, 6, 14, 27, 37, 39, 43, or 56 within Haikou City to get there.