Qilou has a columned and covered porch available to all pedestrians. It functions as a sidewalk during rains, which are frequent because of the tropical climate. The space can also be used by stores to put merchandise to attract customers.

The oldest qilou of the city, Sipailou, was built in the Southern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 700 years.

The qilou old streets in Haikou, in the process of historical development, condense many cultural connotations, such as Haikou's folk culture, Nanyang culture, Confucian culture and so on. At the same time, various traditional delicacies and folk arts have taken root and grown here.