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HAIKOU, China, Dec. 9, 2020 /Xinhua=KYODO JBN/ --

According to Haikou Tourism Development Commission, the "Cross the Sea - Gather

in Haikou on the New Year's Eve" Carnival Festival will be held from November,

2020 to the end of February, 2021.

With its rainforests, volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches and plethora of

surf spots, the tropical island of Hainan is China's very own Hawaii. With

numerous international connections, visitors are drawn to Hainan for the

scenery and the sunshine, some of China's finest hotels are set along its miles

of palm-fringed sand beaches and in its waterside capital Haikou, fondly known

as the Coconut City.

Not only is Haikou the gateway to Hainan, it also has its own charm, with many

pretty historic neighbourhoods, known as Qilou, characterised by pedestrianised

streets and white-washed, porticoed arcades of cafes, shops and handicraft

markets. Haikou's Qilou is the place to take a morning tea and spicy rice soup

as visitors watch daily life go by against the backdrop of centuries-old

Southeast Asian architecture.

These historic streets are also among the setting for an ambitious city-wide

festival which takes place at Chinese New Year, as Haikou seeks to establish

itself as the 'City of New Year's Eve'. Encompassing more than 200 cultural and

entertainment events during the festive season - the 'Cross the Sea' festival

will see Haikou's streets, parks and beaches transformed with music, theatre,

art and sporting events. A '5D' light and shadow show will illuminate the

white-washed facades of the qilou, with another light-art showcase taking place

in Sun Moon Square. The hip Haikou Bay Bund will be the setting for street art

performances, while duty-free shops will be offering discounts for the duration

of the festival - a nod to newly unveiled plans to transform the island into

Hainan Free Trade Port - China's largest free-trade zone.

This Carnival Festival is planned to make "Gather in Haikou" a brand of Haikou

and "the city of New Year's Eve" more established as Haikou's urban symbol.

This will be of great significance for Haikou to deepen integration between

culture and tourism, build an international tourism consumption center and

support the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port.

Source: Haikou Tourism Development Commission

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   Caption: Haikou, the city of New Year's Eve