Romance｜Haikou, a city of emotions

Through the years, the ancient clock tower has been clothed in modern technology. As night falls, the light show of Haikou Clock Tower arrives as promised, with neon glittering and light floating, reuniting history and modernity, and blending ancient and fashion. People and tourists stopped to watch the show, picking up their mobile phones to record everything in front of them and indulging in the magnificent light show.

If one must look for an element of Haikou's city, then the Cloud Cave Library is considered an artistic powerhouse among the new businesses.

From the Cloud Cave Library you can enjoy a quiet view of the Century Bridge not far away. Photo by Xu Ersheng

The Haikou Yundong Library is the first reservation-based public reading space to be completed and put into use as part of the "Station by the Sea" public art project. It is dedicated to promoting reading for the public good, enhancing the humanistic atmosphere of the city, and carrying the core contents of civic services, humanistic architecture, tourism landmarks, urban history and cultural and creative development.

From a distance, the Cloud Cave Library looks like a converter between the city and the sea, with the endless sea in front of you and the bustling city behind you. At the beginning of the day in the east, with Haikou Bay reflecting a golden glow, step into the Cloud Cave Library and quietly look at the sea view through the glass, with pure white clouds flowing slowly in front of you.

The Cloud Cave Library is less like a library and more like an art building. Soft and enchanting, it is more in keeping with the temperament of a beautiful girl.

Haikou, the sea cannot be missing.

The public marina of the National Sailing Base in Haikou is the one built by the sea and moored with numerous yachts. This is a unified construction of the National Sailing and Windsurfing Training Base harbour pond and the public marina to create a sports tourism complex that integrates national sailing and windsurfing, water recreation for public visitors and maritime tourism.

At the public pier of the National Sailing Base in Haikou, there are not only professional athletes but also amateurs, conquering the sea with skill and power. Many handsome men and women who love to fly on the tips of the waves can sail here and feel the greatness of the waves.

Visitor Centre at the National Sailing Base Public Pier in Haikou. Photo by Xu Ersheng

When it comes to new trendy places in Haikou that are literary and artistic, the Haikou West Coast Contemporary Art Museum can be listed. The museum was initiated by Zhao Xinxiu, a famous oil painter, designer and curator of the "One Belt, One Road" world tour, and was jointly created by the Haikou Municipal Government and the Haikou Tourism and Culture Investment Holding Group.

Haikou Cavalry Old Street is full of shops, and Guoxin Bookstore is definitely a special presence.

Known as the "first cavalcade in the water lane", Haikou Guoxin Bookstore is located in the historical and cultural heritage of Haikou, integrating art exhibition, cultural salon, coffee and tea and book business. It is an important platform for the display, gathering and discussion of Hainan's cultural scene.

Since its opening in 2016, it has held a number of painting and calligraphy art exhibitions and won an excellent reputation. In addition, Guoxin Shuyuan has also created a painter's village, which has set up a creation room, a sketching base, a conference centre, a gallery and a hotel, as well as a teahouse and a café for painters to enjoy peace and comfort while sketching.

The new generation in Haikou has a more liberal and open romantic sensibility. Photo by Xu Ersheng

Combining the ancestral business started by our forefathers with contemporary art, constantly optimising human resources, building a new Haikou of leisure, romance and vitality, moving gracefully forward in the construction of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics, and presenting the city of Haikou to the world in the most beautiful way.

Written by Xu Ersheng

Produced by China.com Hainan