HAIKOU - Ferry services resumed Thursday morning on the Qiongzhou Straits, a major gateway to China's southernmost island province of Hainan.

More than 8,000 cars were still waiting in or outside the three ports of Haikou, capital of Hainan, as of 7:30 am, according to the local government.

Shipping services on the Qiongzhou Straits, between Hainan and Guangdong provinces, were suspended Wednesday night due to low visibility caused by heavy fog. Over 100,000 passengers and more than 10,000 cars were stranded.

After visibility improved, shipping services resumed Thursday morning. However, there is still a backlog of vehicles waiting in Hainan as ferries are travelling slowly due to heavy fog and maintenance work at a port in Guangdong Province.

Hainan, known for its tropical climate and clean air, is a popular destination for Chinese tourists taking winter holidays.

The Haikou government issued a notice Wednesday night, asking residents to take Thursday, the first working day after the Spring Festival holiday, off to alleviate traffic jams caused by the waiting vehicles.