A shining pearl of the South China Sea,

Hainan is steeped in profound intangible cultural heritage.

These traditions encapsulate the island’s unique way of life and carry the weight of its rich history.

Join us on a journey through Hainan’s intangible cultural treasures, where the whispers of a thousand years mingle with the rhythm of breezes through the palm fronds and roaring ocean waves.  

Stop 1: Haikou – Qiong Opera  

For Hainan locals, enjoying a captivating Qiong Opera or catching a performance after a meal is a cherished pastime. As a regional theatrical art, Qiong Opera, also known as Hainan Opera, emerged during the Ming Dynasty, blending diverse cultural influences over its 400-year history. Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage art in 2008, Qiong Opera boasts a rich repertoire, distinctive musical style, and profound cultural significance.  

 [Photo / Joan theater Hainan Province]

Stop 2: Wenchang – Zhongpan Dance  

The Zhongpan Dance dates back over 600 years of continued refinement and development as it has been passed from one generation to the next. Unique to Wenchang, the name of this traditional dance is derived from the practice of performers using everyday items such as cups, plates, and chopsticks as props. The dance is typically performed during festive occasions such as Junpo folk festivals, weddings, birthdays, and housewarming parties. In 2005, the dance was included on Hainan Province's first list of protected intangible cultural heritage arts.

During the annual Lantern Festival, the Zhongpan Dance — a lively tradition where performers parade with lanterns, visiting local homes to offer New Year greetings — thrives in Hainan’s countryside villages, creating a vibrant, festive atmosphere.

Stop 3: Chengmai – Fushan Coffee Roasting Technique  

In Fushan Town in Chengmai, Hainan, coffee is more than a mere beverage—it has evolved into a distinctive cultural icon. The unique local Fushan coffee roasting technique masterfully blends traditional wisdom with modern craftsmanship. With a profound heritage and exquisite artistry, this technique was officially inscribed in 2017 on the fifth list of Hainan Province intangible cultural heritage arts.  

Many people’s first introduction to Chengmai is a cup of coffee. Fushan Coffee, produced in  "China's Coffee Capital", Fushan Town, is celebrated as both a "Treasure of the Tropics" and "Hainan's Signature Specialty." This exceptional brew has graced state banquets in the Great Hall of the People while remaining an everyday delight in households across the region.

Stop 4: Lingao – Traditional Puppet Show  

Recognized on China's first list of national intangible cultural heritage arts, the Lingao Traditional Puppet Show is distinguished by a unique format where humans and puppets share a stage, jointly portraying the same character with no curtain to separate them. This is the world's only ancient theatrical art of its kind, a century-old tradition that continues to shine with unparalleled folk artistry.  

The people of Lingao have long cherished theatrical performances, especially these joint human and puppet plays. When actors take the spotlight along with their puppets, their voices and movements breathe vivid life into the wooden figures. These puppets may portray loyal generals defending their nation or righteous heroes battling evil — through this art form, inanimate wood gains a soul.

[Photo / Hainan Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Center]

Stop 5: Danzhou – Danzhou Folk Songs 

In Danzhou City, Hainan Province, there exists a unique form of folk music. Performed in the local dialect, Danzhou Folk Songs feature a variety of lyrical content performed along with simple movements. In 2006, they were included on the first list of China's national intangible cultural heritage arts.  

With enchanting melodies and captivating tunes, lively rhythm, and emphasis on improvisation, Danzhou Folk Songs are known for a distinctive singing-and-dancing performance style, making them highly entertaining and emotionally engaging, and earning them the praise as a “Rare Gem of Southern Chinese Art”.

Stop 6: Ledong – Traditional Li Spinning, Dyeing, Weaving, and Embroidery Techniques  

With a history spanning over 3,000 years, the traditional spinning, dyeing, weaving, and embroidery techniques of the Li people produce a renowned textile called “Li Brocade”, often hailed as the “Living Fossil of Chinese Textile History”. In 2009, this craft was inscribed on UNESCO’s “List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding”, and was then transferred to the “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” in 2024.  

（图源：东方市文化馆公众号）

（图源：东方市文化馆公众号）

In Ledong, Li communities — primarily in Qianjia, Zhizhong, Baoyou, Da’an, Wanchong, Jiusuo, Liguo, Huangliu, Foluo, and Jianfeng towns — preserve these techniques, with the “Hemp Weaving Technique” of Zhizhong Town and “Island Cotton Weaving Technique” of Qianjia Town recognized as iconic representatives of the art.

Stop 6: Sanya – Yazhou Folk Songs  

Yazhou Folk Songs, one of Hainan's oldest local folk music traditions, flourish in the ancient Yazhou region to the west of the Yacheng area and along the coastal areas of Ledong. Documented evidence confirms that these songs have been sung for over 600 years, earning them the title of Southern Songs in Hainan's cultural dichotomy of Southern Songs and Northern Operas. On May 20, 2006, they were inscribed on China's first lit of national intangible cultural heritage arts.  

Baoping Village, the primary birthplace of Yazhou Folk Songs, dates back over 1,100 years. The village’s Yazhou Folk Song Heritage Center preserves and displays a large number of handwritten musical notations and rare photographic materials related to this tradition.  

Sparkling like rare, polished gems, Hainan's intangible cultural heritage embodies the collective wisdom and aesthetic values of generations of islanders. These traditions not only encapsulate thousands of years of lives lived according to the rhythms of the sea and the winds blowing through the palms, but also carry the unique spiritual DNA of this tropical island. In the tide of the new era, these cultural treasures — steeped in ancient heritage yet continuing to innovate — are experiencing a vibrant revival, adding a distinctive South China Sea chapter to the genetic library of Chinese cultural civilization.