Haikou Qilou Old Street

Qilou Old Street, also known as the Haikou Arcaded Streets, is located in the heart of Haikou’s old town and is widely regarded as the birthplace of the city.

The distinctive arcade-style buildings were developed after overseas Chinese who had lived and worked in Southeast Asia returned to Hainan. They brought back popular European architectural influences from the region and blended them with local Hainan features such as traditional Chinese carvings and dragon-and-phoenix motifs. The buildings also reflected the lifestyle of the time, with shops on the ground floor and living quarters above.

Today, nearly 600 Qilou buildings remain, making it one of the largest and best-preserved collections of arcade buildings in China. The area was not built all at once. The earliest surviving Qilou dates back to 1849, and the district gradually expanded over the years into the historic street we see today.

For generations, Qilou Old Street has been one of Haikou’s main commercial areas. The neighborhood is filled with local shops and street vendors, making it a great place to sample Hainan specialties such as Qingbuliang, Hainanese chicken rice, Laobacha tea culture snacks, and Hainan Xinglong coffee.

Must-See Attractions

1. Haikou Clock Tower (海口钟楼) – The most recognizable landmark of the old street, built in 1928. It stands on Changdi Road directly across from the Qilou district.

2. Tianhou Temple (天后宫) – A Mazu temple with more than 700 years of history and a strong local following.

3. Qiu Residence (邱宅) – An ancestral hall established by the Qiu family in 1857.

4. Daya Hotel (大亚酒店) – A luxury hotel built in the early 20th century with investment from overseas Chinese in Singapore. It was once considered one of the finest hotels in Haikou.

Recommended Visit Duration

1–3 hours.