Haikou Qilou Old Street

Haikou Qilou Old Street gave me a very retro feeling. The weather was very good that day. Under the blue sky and white clouds, the unique buildings looked even more fresh. The photos I took didn't need any photo editing. I went to eat the famous Chenji Soup Rice. There were really too many people inside. The seats upstairs and downstairs were full. It can be seen that its taste is not ordinary. Sure enough, I felt it was not bad after eating it. The boss was also very enthusiastic. It is worth a try.

Qilou Old Street is a very distinctive streetscape in Haikou City, mainly distributed in Deshengsha Road, Xinhua South Road, Zhongshan Road, Boai Road and Jiefang Road. Qilou was built by overseas Chinese who came back from Southeast Asia, drawing on the local architectural style. Now these Southeast Asian buildings are operating various shops. The appearance of the old street looks mottled and quaint at first glance, but when you appreciate it carefully, you will find that most of the buildings are covered with elegant and delicate sculptures and Western-style decorations, which have a Baroque flavor. The winding streets and the people coming and going are quite interesting to visit. It should be noted that you need to bargain when buying things here, and you must be ruthless! Deshengsha Road is the largest clothing wholesale market in Hainan. Xinhua South Road has traditional tailor shops, various civilian clothing and shoe stores, teahouses, and snack shops. Zhongshan Road used to be a street of hardware and lighting, but now there are many cafes, galleries, craft shops, etc., exuding a strong petty bourgeoisie and literary atmosphere. The street shops on Boai Road sell home appliances, small commodities, clothing, flowers, gifts, etc., with a strong atmosphere of life. The East Gate and West Gate markets run through Boai Road. The East Gate is a seafood and dry goods market, while the West Gate is an antique street with antique stalls of all sizes set up along the street. The more famous Qilou Snack Street is not in Qilou Old Street, but in Datong Street. It is 2 stops away from Qilou Old Street by bus, or you can walk there, which is about 1.1 kilometers. After shopping, you can go there to eat snacks, such as Baoluo noodles, Qingbuliang, Fansha taro, durian cake, coconut rice, papaya snow clam...foodies can't stop eating.

How to say it! This is my first time in Haikou. I took the opportunity of a business trip to spend more time to get to know this city. In summary: the street scene is interesting.

I have been to many cities and seen countless old streets, but the first impression I got from Qilou Old Street is that it is majestic and noble, and ancient and cool. There are many things, all different, each with its own characteristics. It seems to condense the charm of the city, the fragrance and rhythm, and the atmosphere.

Come here often to take a look at the streets that fully reflect the local cultural atmosphere of Haikou, the streets with the strongest sense of history, and the most representative streets.

Outside the West Gate is one of Haikou’s century-old neighborhoods.

In the 28th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1395 AD), Haikou City was built to prevent Japanese pirates from robbing. Outside the West Gate, that is, the area outside the West Gate of the ancient Haikou City, was originally a large lake and swamp, commonly known as Ximen Pond. In the 21st year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1756 AD), Chaozhou and Shantou merchants chose this place as a place for commercial activities, filling the pond and building the "Chaozhou Guild Hall". The front yard is a high-legged building that has always been located in the water. It has a unique style and was once a scene in Haikou. Therefore, it attracted merchants from all over the world, and the West Gate became prosperous.

In the 13th year of the Republic of China (1924 AD), Haikou was established as an independent city, and the city wall was demolished. "West Gate Outer" became a place name and was officially included in the urban area. In the 23rd year of the Republic of China (1934 AD), Haikou was renamed Qiongshan County, the 11th District, and governed the two towns of Yong'an and Fu'an. Fu'an Primary School was built outside the West Gate, which was the town center primary school (now the 11th Primary School of Haikou City). In the 25th year of the Republic of China (1936 AD), Haikou was separated from Qiongshan County and established as an independent city, called "Haikou City Hall", and later called "Administrative Inspectorate of the Ninth District (Hainan) of Guangdong Province". In 1949, the government of the Republic of China upgraded Hainan to a provincial level, and the government office was set up in the "Chaozhou Guild Hall". After liberation, the Municipal Public Security Bureau also worked in the "Chaozhou Guild Hall". Haikou Municipal People's Government, Hainan Daily, Haikou Sports School, Haikou Youth Cultural Palace, etc., have all been located in the area of ​​West Gate Outer (now Xinhua South Road). The original "Chaozhou Guild Hall" has undergone changes and is now the "Duobaoli Plaza", a large seven-story commercial building in the old city of Haikou.

Today, outside the West Gate, it extends to Xinhua South Road in the east, is bounded by the Municipal Cultural Palace and People's Square in the west, is connected to the West Lake of People's Park in the south, and is connected to the eastern section of Jiefang West Road in the north. It is a place with prosperous commerce and popularity, and is still a prime location in Haikou.

In 1849, the earliest arcades were built in the Sipailou block in the area of ​​Shuixiangkou and Boai North Road. The reason why this place is called Shuixiangkou is that the waters were wider in the past than they are now, and ships could drive in directly. The busiest business block of the old arcades is the clothing wholesale market in Deshengsha, but the old buildings should be visited from Shuixiangkou. Therefore, if you want to visit the old arcade street, it is best to get off at Shuixiangkou, not at Zhonglou Station, which will require you to walk a little further.

At the same time, it should be noted that there are always battery cars in the alley, so you must pay attention to safety. Walk slowly and stroll slowly, and you will find many delicious small shops. The shops are not big, but you can eat as much as you want.

If you want to take photos and pose, you can do so at Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street. There are no electric cars or bicycles there, so you can take beautiful photos at will without any safety risks! Safety is the most important thing when you go out to play!

In fact, after going to the Qilou Old Street, we found that this is the prototype of the Western Street in the Film Commune. However, it is more in line with life and not as commercial as the Qilou buildings in many places. We just strolled in the Qilou, looking up at the familiar and fresh scenery in our memory.

After the rain stopped, the colorful neon lights of the arcades were reflected on the wet floor, adding infinite charm to the hometown that I missed.

Haikou Qilou Old Street is mainly distributed in several old streets in Longhua District, such as Deshengsha Road, Wenming East Road, Zhongshan Road, Boai Road, Changdi Road, etc. It is one of the most distinctive street landscapes in Haikou City. Its oldest building, the Four Archways, was built in the Southern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 700 years. On June 10, 2009, in the first "China Historical and Cultural Famous Street" selection and promotion activity hosted by the Ministry of Culture and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Haikou Qilou Old Street won the title of the first ten "China Historical and Cultural Famous Streets" for its century-old vicissitudes, architectural style and historical culture with Chinese and Western characteristics.

We arrived at Qilou Old Street around 4 o'clock in the afternoon, strolled slowly along the streets and alleys, admired the buildings with a history of more than 100 years, and tasted the famous food here: rice noodle rolls and chicken wrapped in pork belly. When walking, you have to pay attention to the electric vehicles passing by, and the pedestrians on the street are shoulder to shoulder, bustling, really as if you have returned to decades ago.

Although the buildings here are very old, there are still residents living here. An old street with residents is a living old street. Only such an old street can inherit history and maintain its charm. In this building, history, food, Nanyang culture, and arcade architecture have all been integrated together.

Although Haikou is only a prefecture-level city, it is the capital of a province after all. It is a blessing that such a large downtown area has been preserved in the city center and has only been repaired and not demolished and rebuilt. It deserves a big thumbs up.

The old street is opposite the clock tower

The houses in the old street are very Nanyang. Some of them seem to have mold spots, and some have had fires before. The exterior walls of the entire building are black.

There are many small shops selling food in the winding alleys, such as Hainan rice noodles, Baoluo rice noodles, sour rice noodles, and pig's feet.

I really like this kind of place, even though the shops on the roadside are not so good to visit.

Food, clothing, daily necessities, even hardware stores and tire stores, all available

The row of clothing stalls just after entering the street is very similar to the Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street in Guangzhou.

The Old Street with Arcades, which is spread across many streets in Haikou, such as Xinhua Road and Zhongshan Road, has witnessed the ups and downs of Haikou with its history of more than 700 years.

The landmark bell tower near Renmin Bridge stands opposite the Old Street of Qilou with its modern style, making those Nanyang-style buildings, which are simple in appearance but not lacking in delicate carvings, appear more elegant and refined.

An arcade is a type of building with an external corridor, usually built facing the street. The ground floor is set back a few meters, and the protruding part of the second floor is supported by columns and beams. The column spacing is consistent with the size of the house span. The pedestrian walkway is set in the external corridor, which can provide shade and shelter from rain.

Architecture is a symbol of a city, recording the city's history and changes. The Qilou Old Street in Haikou, which covers an area of ​​2 square kilometers, also records the story of this city, demonstrating the depth and accumulation of the city's history and culture. When you come to Haikou, you must take time to visit the Qilou Old Street.

Haikou Qilou Old Street is one of the most distinctive streetscapes in Haikou. The oldest building, the Four Archways, was built in the Southern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 700 years. On June 10, 2009, the first "China Historical and Cultural Famous Street Selection and Promotion" event was announced in Beijing, and Haikou Qilou Old Street was on the list. Haikou Qilou Old Street won the title of the first ten "China Historical and Cultural Famous Streets" for its uniqueness and distinctiveness.

The arcades in Haikou are mainly distributed in the old streets of Deshengsha Road, Zhongshan Road, Boai Road, Xinhua Road, Jiefang Road, Changdi Road, etc. The arcade old street covers an area of ​​about two square kilometers, with a total length of 4.4 kilometers, and there are nearly 600 three- and four-story arcade buildings of various sizes.

Most of the arcades were built by overseas Chinese who returned from Southeast Asia in the early 20th century, drawing on the architectural style of Southeast Asia at that time. Most of the arcades are covered with elegant and delicate sculptures and Western-style decorations, with a Baroque flavor. The arcades are not very high, mostly two or three stories high, and some still retain the early business names and exquisite carvings on the railings, doors and windows.

Qilou, a unique architectural style, is something I have seen many in other places, so I didn’t have high expectations for the century-old Qilou Old Street in Haikou. I didn’t expect to visit it 4 times in 3 days in Haikou. Although I went there to eat a lot, I was impressed by the Qilou Old Street beyond my expectations. Especially at night when there were fewer tourists, I felt like I was walking in another time and space.

It is worth a visit. The architecture is quite unique, with Nanyang arcade style. It doesn't take too long to walk around and take pictures. I also recommend the Jianwai Boutique Hotel Qilou Branch, which is clean, new, well-decorated, and affordable (less than 200). It is right at the beginning of Qilou Old Street, and the location is great. You can start from here to visit Qilou Old Street. Also, please note that it is a bit congested to get to Haikou East Station from here, and it takes about 30 minutes.

If you are going to Haikou for the first time, you can go for a walk. It is best to go after dusk. It is quite nice to take pictures with the lights. There are restaurants and snack bars along the street. The taste is quite ordinary. There is no shop with amazing taste. It may be that I didn’t find it. There is a local vegetable market at the end of the old street. If you are staying in a homestay and are willing to cook for yourself, you can come and buy it. When I went there, there were quite a lot of locals buying it. The roast suckling pork in the vegetable market is quite delicious, but there are relatively few processed restaurants around and the taste is not ordinary.

The Millennium Qilou Street is a tourist attraction that integrates culture, history, art and commerce. The architectural style of this street is unique, mainly in Nanyang style and Eurasian characteristics, full of rich exotic atmosphere. The Qilou building complex is well preserved, with a total length of 4 kilometers, and has nearly 600 Qilou buildings, among which many historical businesses and shops are operated. The Millennium Qilou Street in Haikou has become one of the iconic attractions of Haikou City, attracting a large number of tourists to visit and shop. Here, you can stroll between the ancient Qilou buildings and feel the Nanyang style; you can taste local food and special products; you can also visit cultural venues such as museums and art galleries. The history of Haikou Qilou Old Street can be traced back to 1849, when merchants returning from Southeast Asia built the first Qilou on Sipailou Street in Haikou. As time went on, Qilou Old Street gradually developed into a window for Hainan Island's domestic and foreign trade exchanges, with strong capital, a large number of people, and mobile goods, giving birth to brand names on Qilou Old Street. This place has witnessed the development and prosperity of Haikou City, and has also preserved a large number of historical and cultural heritage.

The street with the architectural style of old Nanyang is very different from that of Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street in Shanghai. They are two completely different styles. If Shanghai Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is likened to highbrow culture, then the Old Street with Arcades here is close to the life of the common people. The vendors on both sides of the road are relatively close to the lives of the common people. You can experience the life of the locals by turning a street. There are also many locals selling seafood on the street stalls, and the price is relatively affordable. You can buy it yourself and find somewhere to process it, which is a good idea.

Qilou Old Street is the most famous tourist attraction in Haikou. If you come to Haikou, which is not originally a tourist city, it is recommended that you take a good look at Qilou Old Street. It will not only satisfy your vision, but also your taste buds!

There are many old buildings. I think the arcade cannot be referred to as the main one, because the surrounding areas are very similar. It is recommended to walk slowly and you can see it for a long time. If you are tired, find a store to rest.

An old street with historic architectural style and many alley entrances. Walking on the old street, you feel like you are in the old colonial era.

There are many inns on the old street, all of which are distinctive and beautiful. You may want to go into a few of them and take pictures standing on the balcony. It feels great.

In addition to the B&B, there are also delicious food, coconuts and cool shops all over the street, and a Tianhou Temple, which is free to visit and can be entered even after dark.

There is a seafood market on the old street, selling all kinds of fish, shrimps, crabs, etc., as well as various dry goods. The road is slippery, but it doesn’t smell fishy at all.

As night falls, there is a live band performing at the entrance of the old street

Haikou Qilou Old Street is one of the most distinctive streetscapes in Haikou. The oldest building, the Four Archways, was built in the Southern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 700 years. On June 10, 2009, the first "China Historical and Cultural Famous Street Selection and Promotion" event was announced in Beijing, and Haikou Qilou Old Street was on the list. Haikou Qilou Old Street won the title of the first ten "China Historical and Cultural Famous Streets" for its uniqueness and distinctiveness.

Haikou Qilou Old Street is one of the most distinctive streetscapes in Haikou. The oldest building, the Four Archways, was built in the Southern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 700 years. Haikou Qilou Old Street was awarded the title of the first ten "Famous Historical and Cultural Streets in China" for its uniqueness and distinctiveness.

Speaking of arcade city, the one I am most familiar with is Wuzhou arcade city in Guangxi. Now when you search for arcade city on Baidu Encyclopedia, you will find Wuzhou arcade city. Wuzhou arcade city is more Chinese and Western style, while Haikou arcade city is more Nanyang style.

The most famous characteristic building in Haikou is the Qilou Old Street. The core highlight of the old street lies in its original ecology. It was built by overseas Chinese who returned from Southeast Asia in the early 20th century, drawing on the architectural style of Southeast Asia at that time. It is located in the city center and is full of life scenes. When night falls, walking through the streets and alleys is a unique experience.

Haikou Qilou Old Street is a famous cultural street with nearly 700 years of history and full of Nanyang architectural style. There are many people during the day and at night. There are many cultural relics and statues on the street. The architectural features are that the floors are not high, mostly two or three floors; the front of the first floor is a sidewalk, generally 3-4 meters deep, the back is a shop, and the second floor and above are residential buildings. The front of the residential building protrudes from the shop and spans above the sidewalk. The advantage of this is that it can be protected from wind and rain and sun. Even in the sun and rain, people can happily stroll around. Most of the arcades are covered with elegant and delicate sculptures and Western-style decorations, with some Baroque flavor. Well, as a Cantonese, I want to say that similar arcades can be seen in many streets in Guangzhou, Guangdong, such as Shangxiajiu Road, Zhongshan Road, Jiefang Road, Renmin South Road, Yide Road, etc.

If you want to eat delicious white-cut chicken in Haikou Qilou Old Street, I recommend the Wenchang Chicken Restaurant at No. 110 Zhongshan Road.

The Qilou Old Street is a commercial pedestrian street. I personally like this kind of Nanyang-style architecture very much. The snacks there are also very special. There are fried pork chops, spicy soup rice, chicken shit vine, Qingbu, Liangling water sour noodles, old salt lemon water, Houan noodles, etc. It is really a happy thing to walk around with friends among the unique houses and eat all kinds of snacks!

Take a look at a different kind of arcade old street. What attracted me to Haikou were these dilapidated buildings that have not been renovated. The sense of historical vicissitudes makes people indulge in it.

Qilou Old Street is a major feature of Haikou. It is designed in accordance with the architectural style of Nanyang. There are many places selling snacks in it. The taste is good and the price is not expensive.

It feels similar to the Qilou in Guangzhou. But more people go to the Qilou Snack Street in Haikou. There are not many snacks in the Qilou Snack Street, mainly because the hygiene is better. If you want to eat, you have to apply for a card before you can buy food. If you are not full, you can go to the "snack street" next door to eat another round. The grilled corn, three rolls of sushi, and clear soup there are all good, you can try it!

The buildings in Qilou Old Street are beautiful and great for taking photos. There are many tourists and there are many beautiful shops in the old street, which is worth visiting.

If you like this style, you can come and have a look. We took a quick look.

It is where the locals live and where outsiders don’t want to leave.

The Qilou Old Street in Haikou is very nice, with Hainan's local architectural style. You can get there by taking the bus and getting off at the Zhonglou Station.

When the lights are on at night, the mottled appearance of this small building is not so obvious

I came here mainly to eat. The food in this restaurant is delicious and the old street is very comfortable to stroll around at night.

It is recommended to visit this place when traveling to Haikou. It is very nice to take pictures! The arcade is a feature of South China and Southeast Asia. When I left, I remembered that there are many similar arcades in Guangzhou, but the arcades here are well preserved. In addition to this old street, the Boai North Road next door is also very interesting, and there are many delicious foods nearby.

Since you are strolling in Jiefang West, after visiting the small shops, PS: (some small shops have a lot of secrets, the storefront is small, but inside is a small shopping mall) you will arrive at the Friendship Mall. If you want to go to the next place after shopping, you can get on the bus at the nearby stop. Take bus No. 20 to the "Bell Tower" stop, and it will take about 15 minutes to get to the "Qilou Old Street" (a must-visit when you come to Haikou)

As the heritage of Hainan culture, Qilou Old Street integrates the essence of Guangdong's Nanyue culture. Combined with Hainan's unique climate and landforms, it has formed a unique street block in Haikou. Its short historical evolution tells the past and present of Hainan.

Haikou has some unique places. There are not many scenic spots in Haikou.

Haikou Qilou Old Street is one of the most distinctive street landscapes in Haikou. Although more than a hundred years have passed, you can still appreciate the beauty of the street buildings when walking on the old street.

There are many places to eat, and there is also a special dish called soup rice, a bowl of soup and a bowl of rice together, a special way of eating, haha.

Take a walk and see that there are many homestays on the old street, which should be more charming at night.

Qilou Old Street is a historical district and the most famous tourist attraction in Haikou. It has a history of more than 700 years and has more than 600 old buildings of various sizes.

Qilou Old Street is a famous historical and cultural street in China. The ancient buildings inside are basically well preserved. It is also a distinctive cultural district that combines Chinese and Western styles.

This street is very retro and has a lot of style. You can wear all kinds of retro and beautiful clothes to take photos. The whole street is suitable for taking photos.

It's a great place. If you walk around slowly, you will accidentally encounter many small attractions, all of which are very good. I strongly recommend you to go and have a look. It's not just about attractions, but also about food and the most daily life.

One part has not been renovated yet, and retains its original appearance, old and vicissitudes, but also more full of life. The other part has been renovated, with brighter light, and more photos, but it is not as popular as the old street. Overall, it is a relatively well-preserved arcade street in China, and you can visit it.

Haikou City's representative cultural landmark, the streets are a blend of Southeast Asian architectural style and Hainan culture, and are crowded with tourists. The best time to visit is from 6 to 8 in the morning when there are fewer people, and from 6 to 10 in the afternoon for a midnight snack.

After enjoying the sea, we headed straight to Qilou Old Street, which is about a 40-minute bus ride from Holiday Beach.

The arcade complex is really large, with shops full of Yiwu small commodities, houses converted into B&Bs, and some local wholesale markets. Behind the tourist street, the locals still live their ordinary lives.

Haikou has strong sunshine. The long corridors in front of the arcade shops connect the entire block, providing a shelter from the scorching sun and heavy rain for pedestrians. The unique architectural style inherits the historical stories of the old Haikou people. Drink a pot of Laoba tea and listen to the old Hainanese tell you about the history of Haikou and the cultural style it has inherited.

At dusk, strolling alone in the Qilou Old Street, tricycles make ding-dong sounds at the corners, colorful shops show off seductive lights and shadows, and the cheap speakers in the CD shop play sad love songs from the 1980s. This is the quiet, comfortable, retro and nostalgic Haikou.

The landmark building in Haikou. When I went there, the weather was quite hot. I didn't try the local snacks.

A two-bedroom, one-living room B&B near Qilou Old Street, beyond expectations, recommended

Qilou scenic spot, food and entertainment, a must-go for checking in and weeding

I came to the Qilou Old Street and strolled along the 4.4km-long old street. I watched the native residents coming and going. They nodded and smiled at me, as if welcoming me as a new student. It gave me a friendly feeling. According to the locals, this place was once built by overseas Chinese who returned from Southeast Asia. Therefore, the rows of Qilou here exude the atmosphere of Southeast Asia and Baroque architectural style. From the walls, handwriting, windows, balconies, to the criss-crossing wires, etc., they all reflect the changes in history. At this moment, I feel a sense of pride and satisfaction in my heart, and I know that life is short and I cherish the present. Walking in the alleys of the old street, I can always see women busy outside, and men are responsible for taking care of affairs at home, with a clear division of labor.

Every city has its own history.

Qilou Old Street is the purest embodiment of Haikou’s local culture.

It encompasses an entire city block;

Architecture, the most original flavor,

Of course, it is inevitable that some parts of the old street are dirty and messy;

Personally, I think

The most worth seeing places in Haikou are here.

[Location] Walk south from the first intersection west of the bell tower and you will reach Qilou Old Street.

[Environment] I have seen arcades in Kaiping before. In fact, there is a similar style in the Bund area of ​​Shanghai. The arcades here are more concentrated, squeezing the streets into a small space, with only a slit of sky visible. Although the buildings have a sense of history, the shops are no different from those in ordinary third- and fourth-tier small cities. Loud speakers are used to attract customers, and various discounts are offered. There is no sense of history at all.

[Play] It seems that there is nothing special to play. I just walked along and saw this kind of architectural style.

There is a section of road that has been renovated and has a very unique arcade style.

The arcades in Haikou are mainly distributed in the old streets of Deshengsha Road, Zhongshan Road, Boai Road, Xinhua Road, Jiefang Road, Changdi Road, etc. The arcade old street covers an area of ​​about two square kilometers, with a total length of 4.4 kilometers, and there are nearly 600 three- and four-story arcade buildings of various sizes.

The local historical old street is worth experiencing.

The Qilou Old Street covers an area of ​​about two square kilometers, with a total length of 4.4 kilometers. There are nearly 600 three- and four-story Qilou buildings of various sizes. The five old streets are mainly Deshengsha Road, Boai North Road, Zhongshan Road, Xinhua Road, and Changdi Road.

No tickets!

It's all clothing wholesale market, lacking humanistic atmosphere!

We rode here at night, so we saw the night view, but I think it must be more beautiful at night than during the day. Because the lights are on, and there are many more locals who rest here after a busy day. There are fewer tourists during the day, and more local atmosphere.

The buildings in Qilou Old Street are all in Nanyang architectural style.

There are various snacks, but it feels a bit like they are specially provided for tourists, and there is not much special feature. Not recommended

The Qilou Old Street in Haikou is one of the most distinctive streetscapes in Haikou. Most of the Qilou were built by overseas Chinese who returned from Southeast Asia in the early 20th century, drawing on the architectural style of Southeast Asia at that time. Most of the Qilou are covered with elegant and delicate sculptures and Western-style decorations, with a Baroque flavor. The Qilou are not very high, mostly two or three stories high, and some still retain the early business names, as well as exquisite carvings on the railings, doors and windows.

After walking two streets, I felt a little tired. It was so ancient and charming, but I still couldn’t find where the snack street was.

There are several parking lots in the old street, and the parking fee is not very expensive. It is also relatively close to the old street. There are many dilapidated buildings, many fishermen live there, and there are also unique buildings, which are especially suitable for taking pictures. You can wander around without a destination.

When I got there, my first reaction was, Em...what the hell... The building is very unique, a small Western-style building, but unlike other old streets, the shops below the unique building are original residential areas, not specially built for the old street attractions, so it's very confusing to walk around. You can take a few photos, but if you are not interested in some of the museums inside, an hour is definitely enough. Then the clock tower... It's just a small tower with four or five floors outside... In addition, I would like to mention the Qilou Snack Street, which is not together with the old street, about 1.5 kilometers away, which is also ridiculous. It is actually a food court, and there are some... amazing shops inside, such as milk tea and smoothies, which are completely different from the snack street in my impression. Anyway... just spend a little time to take a look at the old street, and I don't recommend it in general.

The transportation is convenient, but the street is not big, so you can just walk around. However, there are many delicious foods nearby and the prices are affordable.

Qilou Old Street is like a Guangzhou Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, selling clothes and various groceries

The Qilou Old Street in Haikou is similar to Zhongshan Road in Xiamen. It is mainly composed of a series of ancient streets consisting of Qilou buildings. The main street has been commercialized and touristized, but if you suddenly turn into some small alleys, you can still feel the local hot island style.

In the morning, people in the old street are walking in the corridor, enjoying the cool breeze. There are car horns, motorcycles, and pedestrians talking on the road. There are no traffic lights at the intersection. The street stretches forward, and you can see tall buildings in the distance from the old street. Around seven o'clock, there are not many people on the road, and there are only two or three tourists taking pictures. Most of the arcades were built by overseas Chinese who returned from Southeast Asia in the early 20th century, drawing on the architectural style of Southeast Asia at that time. Most of them are filled with elegant and delicate sculptures and Western-style decorations, with a bit of Baroque flavor. The arcades are not very high, mostly two or three stories high, and some still retain the earlier business names, and exquisite carvings on the railings, doors and windows.

The architectural style of the entire Qilou Old Street is very similar to the Nanyang Street in the Film Commune. I don't know if it is like this or it was renovated later.

There were few tourists on the Qilou Old Street after the rain, and even the locals were sporadic. It should be because it had just rained. There were no customers in the shops on both sides of the road. The owners were sitting at the door chatting with friends, looking very comfortable.

The Qilou Old Street is full of the Nanyang style of the last century. I have only seen it during the day before, but now I see it at night, and I feel that it has a different style. It is not as bustling at night as during the day, but many shops are still open, making people feel the warmth of being close to home. There are many snacks and delicacies in the alleys of Qilou Old Street. As long as you have enough patience to discover them, your stomach will be full. Today, there are various specialty shops, cheongsam shops, and snack shops on the Qilou Pedestrian Street, which breed petty-bourgeois shops and also open retro-style inns.

Qilou Old Street is one of the most distinctive streetscapes in Haikou. Although some of the first floors have been converted into businesses, the architectural style above is still preserved. Walking through it, you will be brought back to that turbulent and historical era.

We walked along the Qilou Old Street and found many restaurants that looked delicious, but we couldn't eat anymore.