China Travel Prep
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Hainan
Haikou arrival guide
A northern Hainan gateway where airport, rail, and ferry context can matter.
Use this guide, then check your own details
Prepare the hotel information you will need on arrival.
The arrival check creates a driver card only from Chinese details you confirm; otherwise it gives you a verification checklist.
Before you fly
Save these before arrival
- Check whether you continue by Hainan high-speed rail after arrival.
- Save hotel address in Chinese.
- Choose lodging for old town or onward transfer convenience.
Arrival points
- Haikou Meilan Airport (HAK)
- Haikou East Railway Station
- Haikou Railway Station
Stay zones
- Qilou Old Street
- Guomao
- Near Haikou East Railway Station
First movement
Airport or station to lodging
Meilan connects to rail, but a car is easier with bags or late arrival.
First day anchor
Keep the first day simple
Qilou Old Street and an easy Hainan meal.
Getting around
Local transport basics
- Meilan connects to rail; a car is easier with bags or late arrivals.
- Pay for the metro with an Alipay/WeChat transit QR or a single-journey ticket; both are easy once your wallet works.
- Check whether you continue by Hainan high-speed rail.
Common mistakes
What first-timers get caught out by
- Not planning onward Hainan high-speed rail when relevant.
- Booking lodging without weighing old town vs transfer convenience.
- Use the official taxi queue or DiDi — never accept a ride from someone who approaches you inside the terminal.