As for many people, Hainan is famous for coconut trees and sunny beach. However, the attractive charm of Hainan island is more than that. Let's go to explore a unique Hainan island!

With rich and diverse cultural resources, Hainan boasts many human elements with distinctive local characteristics, apart from the features of oriental traditional culture. Ethnic customs, marine culture and historical stories in Qiongzhou are just like the numerous cultural pearls scattered all over the island or preserved in the museum, which highlight the context of Hainan island culture.

Visitors can go deep into the hinterland of the rainforest valley to explore the ethnic imprint of the Li and Miao compatriots, or wander along the old streets to experience the culture of Nanyang, and also can go fishing at a remote port or village.

Charming ethnic culture

Tourists are experiencing bamboo pole dance in Hainan Areca Valley Li and Miao Culture Tourism Zone. (Photo by Wang Kai/Hainan Daily)

Speaking of the local culture of Hainan, Li and Miao culture is the indispensable and symbolic part. In the long history, the Li and Miao people have created a unique and splendid ethnic culture. Their legends, customs, song and dance, foods, clothing, architecture, religion, etc. are all cultural treasures of Hainan Island, among which those beautiful costumes are the most impressive. And the Li traditional dyeing and weaving crafts have become a national intangible cultural heritage.

In November 2018, the participants of the Miss World Finals of 2018 experience the culture of Li Brocade in Haikou. (Photo by Wang Kai/Hainan Daily)

Hainan Areca Valley Li and Miao Culture Tourism Zone is the must-go place to experience the ethnic culture in Hainan, consisting of seven culture experiencing areas and the exhibition of ten projects of national intangible cultural heritage such as "Li traditional dyeing and weaving crafts", which is regarded as the "living fossil" of Hainan ethnic culture. In addition to the theme scenic spot, some well-known tourism villages, such as Zhongliao village and Shihan village, are the excellent places to experience the original ethnic customs.

Recommended itinerary

4-day ethnic and cultural trip

Areca Valley Li and Miao Culture Tourism Zone→Baoting Shenyu Island→Linshui Yetian Ancient village scenic area→Linshui New Village Danjia Fishing Village→Qionghai Huishan Jianao Village→Qionghai Baishiling Tourism Scenic Area→Qionghai Duohe Culture Valley Tourism Area→Qionghai Tanmen Town