Haikou History

Haikou originally served as the port for Qiongshan, the ancient administrative capital of Hainan island, located 5 km inland.

In the 13th century it was strengthened and became a military post under the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). The port is located west of the mouth of the Nandu, Hainan's principal river.

In 1858 (the eighth year of Emperor Xianfeng), Haikou was opened up to be a trading port, the name was changed into Qiongzhou kou.

In the early days of the People's Republic of China, its name was changed to Haikou. It was liberated on 23, April 1950, and the People's Government was founded on June 1, the same year. After liberation, Haikou was a city under the jurisdiction of the provincial government of Guangdong, and was the capital of Hainan administrative.

In March 1983, it was declared to be an open city. In 1988, Haikou became a prefecture-level city and the capital of Hainan Province.

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