The rise and fall of the ancient seaports chronicle the history and culture of Haikou, showing the changes in the capital of China’s Hainan Island. There are many ancient harbors in Haikou, such as Lielou Port (now near Changliu Town, Xiuying District), Baishajin (now near Liangjiao Port), and Haikou Pu (now near the historic district of Haikou). After the Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368 AD), Lielou Port became a private ferry dock, and Haikou Pu replaced Baishajin as the official ferry dock. Now, the west coast of Haikou is getting a facelift, and the ancient port of Leilou, which can be traced back to the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC – 9 AD), will be given a new look and turned into a yacht marina.

Lielou Port renovation design sketch. WANG CHENGXIAN

Lielou Port is located near Zhenhai Village, Changliu Town, Xiuying District, Haikou City today. It’s between the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center and the mouth of the Wuyuan River. A stone tablet, located at the end of Changxiang Road on the West Coast, shows visitors the ancient location of Lielou Port, which dates back to the Western Han Dynasty. WANG CHENGXIAN

Lielou Port is part of the West Coast renovation project. WANG CHENGXIAN

The port is under renovation. WANG CHENGXIAN

There are still some fishing boats docked in the ancient port. WANG CHENGXIAN