Hainan cultural heritage debuts at Jordan's Jerash Festival

en.hainan.gov.cn

Updated: 2026-08-04

Performers dressed in Hainan's traditional ethnic costumes pose for a photo with local visitors at the Jerash Festival in Jordan. [Photo/Hainan Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports]

The people of the Middle East got the chance to see some of the unique culture of China's southernmost Hainan province at the 40th Jerash Festival in Jordan on July 29.

At the festival, a Hainan-Jordan cultural exchange event — jointly organized by the China Cultural Center in Amman and the Hainan Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports — introduced local audiences to the island province's rich cultural heritage.

Marking the first appearance of Hainan's intangible cultural heritage at the renowned Middle Eastern arts festival, the event combined craft demonstrations, interactive cultural experiences, folk music performances and tourism promotions — offering visitors a glimpse into the traditions that have shaped life on China's tropical island province.

Traditional Li textile techniques and coconut carving — two of Hainan's representative intangible cultural heritage items — sparked immediate interest. Heritage inheritors demonstrated centuries-old craftsmanship, while inviting visitors to make Li brocade-inspired refrigerator magnets and to watch the intricate coconut carving process — bringing Hainan's wonderful handicrafts to life through hands-on experiences.

Music added yet another dimension to the cultural display. Performers played Li ethnic musical instruments at Jerash's ancient Roman theater — where melodies from Hainan echoed through the historic venue, creating a memorable encounter between the island's ethnic traditions and one of the Middle East's best-known cultural landmarks.

The event also featured a Hainan tourism promotion area especially tailored to Middle Eastern travelers. Visitors were introduced to themed itineraries combining tropical beaches, rainforest adventures and immersive Li and Miao cultural experiences — with many stopping to learn more about the island as a future travel destination.

In recent years, Hainan has continued to bring its intangible cultural heritage to global audiences through cultural exchange programs.

Building bridges through its culture, Hainan has been showcasing the island's rich heritage and diverse tourism offerings, while further enhancing its profile as an international tourism and consumption destination.