8th Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities to be held in Lingshui in October

en.hainan.gov.cn

Updated: 2026-09-09

Performers in traditional ethnic costumes dance at the closing ceremony of Hainan's 7th Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities in Sanya city on Nov 29, 2023. [Photo/lwt.hainan.gov.cn]

The 8th Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of Hainan province is set to be held on Oct 16-21 in Lingshui Li autonomous county, located on the southeastern coast of Hainan Island, according to a press conference held on Sept 8.

The games will feature 13 competitive events and one demonstration event. The competitive events comprise pearl ball, dragon boat racing, single-bamboo drifting, cuqiu (kickball), yajia (Tibetan tug-of-war), crossbow shooting, shuttlecock, spinning top, board-shoe racing, stilt racing, coconut tree climbing, traditional ethnic martial arts and ethnic aerobics.

Events such as pearl ball, dragon boat racing, single-bamboo drifting, cuqiu, yajia and crossbow shooting feature distinctive ethnic traditions and showcase the diversity of traditional sports that are practiced by Hainan's different ethnic communities.

Of the events, board-shoe racing, stilt racing and coconut tree climbing combine ethnic traditions with local Hainan culture — offering strong visual appeal and opportunities for audience participation.

A total of 20 delegations will take part in the games, representing 14 cities and counties and six universities and colleges across Hainan, according to the press conference. The event will bring together 1,382 participants, including 1,051 athletes as well as team leaders, coaches and delegation officials.

As a major traditional ethnic sports event in Hainan, the games serve as a platform for athletes from different ethnic groups to compete and interact, while showing the province's rich and diverse traditional sports culture.

The 8th games will also be the first major traditional ethnic sports event held in Hainan following the launch of island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port last December — highlighting the inclusiveness, diversity and openness of the Hainan FTP.