Hainan Provincial Museum
海南省博物馆
A provincial museum that introduces Hainan's history, Li and Miao cultures and South China Sea shipwrecks. Artifacts from the Huaguang Reef No. 1 shipwreck and an exhibition of Li brocade are the highlights. Admission is free.
The Hainan Provincial Museum is on Guoxing Avenue in Qiongshan District. It opened in 2008 and was greatly expanded in a second phase in 2017, making it the best introduction to the whole island. The permanent exhibition has three main sections. 'Wonders of the Southern Sea' tells the island's history from ancient times to the modern era, focusing on exiled officials through the ages, maritime trade and overseas Chinese culture. The 'Frontier Beyond the Pale' galleries on the Li and Miao peoples display Li brocade, bark cloth, boat-shaped houses, facial tattooing and other Li intangible cultural heritage. The museum holds the most complete collection of Li cultural relics in the country. The South China Sea gallery displays a reconstructed hull of the Southern Song-era Huaguang Reef No. 1 shipwreck from the Xisha Islands, along with thousands of recovered ceramics. It also features Republican-era customs artifacts from Hainan Island and the history of the Qiong'ya revolution. Other features include a tropical nature exhibition, an interactive intangible heritage area and a creative gift shop. Admission is free with ID, and no reservation is required, though holidays may have crowd limits, so booking through the official website is recommended. Free audio guides and scheduled guided tours are offered. Suggested route: start with the South China Sea shipwreck exhibition, then move to the Li galleries and history exhibits. The route takes about 2 hours. If you are interested in Li brocade, watch the live weaving demonstrations in the intangible heritage area. Getting there: take the bus to the Provincial Museum stop. It is about 2 km from Five Officials Temple, so you can walk or cycle between them. It is about 3 km from Haikou East Railway Station. Notes: Closed on Mondays, except public holidays. The air conditioning is cold inside, so bring a light jacket. Large luggage must be checked. Outside, the Hainan Provincial Library and the Provincial Song and Dance Theatre form a cultural plaza, and there are few dining options nearby.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); closed Mondays
Nearby sights
- Five Officials Temple
- Qiongtai Academy
- Meishe River National Wetland Park
- Haikou Qilou Old Street
- Haikou Clock Tower
- Jinniuling Park
- Wanlüyuan (Evergreen Park)
- Haikou Bay & Century Bridge