HAIKOU, August 11. /TASS/. Hainan's capital Haikou has significantly increased the attractiveness of the adjacent Haikou Bay from the north over the past few years, thanks to new tourism facilities, as well as efforts to preserve the presentable appearance of cultural and historical sites. According to the Hainan Daily, the transformation has affected the entertainment industry, restaurant business and even sports.

According to the newspaper, the library "Yundong" ("Cloud Cave"), a building built in 2021 in the "Park of the Century" on the shore of Haikou Bay in the shape of a cloud, has recently enjoyed great popularity among tourists for creative events and boosting cultural projects of humanitarian development. The area of ​​its premises reaches 1,400 square meters. There one can admire the sea, look through the works of classics and modernity, both Chinese and foreign authors. This is one of 16 art pavilions being built next door in the coastal zone with the participation of designers from China and from other countries in accordance with the state program.

There is an ancient Qilou Street not far away, famous in China, the architectural appearance of which began to form during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). In length, it reaches 4.4 km and, according to local guides, is ideal for evening walks and shopping for a couple of hours. In the nineteenth century, it was the busiest and most fashionable place in Haikou, and today it is the most developed tourist area of ​​the city.

Nearby is a 28-meter red brick bell tower built in 1928 at the initiative of the Hainan merchant Zhou Chengmei (1883-1963) with the assistance of Chinese compatriots living abroad. This is one of the main symbols of Haikou. In 1987, with the support of the authorities, it was completely restored and since then has been constantly maintained in excellent condition. The appearance of the adjacent part of the city, formed over the past two centuries, combines the traditions of ancient architecture and modernity in harmony, attracting millions of tourists every year.

There are bars and restaurants nearby where one can sample a wide range of dishes for every taste, both Chinese and European cuisine. Every evening there are many visitors who like to dine there and then take a walk along the streets near the Haikou Bay. Tourists with children are advised by the local residents to visit "Wanluyuan" park with an area of about 713,000 square meters. There is a bamboo grove, spacious lawns, and an area reserved for thick tropical forests. 

Haikou, with a population of over 2.8 million, is located on the coast of the Qiongzhou Strait, which separates Hainan from the continent. It is a leading center for the economic development of the island with a rich history and ancient traditions, it also plays an important role in shaping the cultural identity of China's southernmost province. In 2020, the city's gross regional product exceeded 553 billion yuan (over $ 85 billion), an increase of 4.2% year on year. Over the same 12 months, about 16.2 million tourists visited the city.