Category: Arts and culture

Hainan Opera (Qiong Opera) is a folk opera art of the Han ethnic group in Hainan Province. As a branch of southern operas, Qiong Opera uses Hainan dialect in its lyrics, Hainan hua,  thus it is popular only in Hainan Island, Guangdong and Guangxi.

Summer 2017, both Jake Canning and I decided to go on a round Hainan road trip by motorbike, 14 locations in 14 days. Although I have lived in Hainan for close to nine years now, it’s safe to say that there are still many, many places left to explore.

Situated on the northwest outskirts of Haikou, Bofu Village retains much of its original appearance. Stone arches, cobbled streets, temples, ancient houses and other architectural monuments mirror the timeline of Chinese history over the last millennium.

The island of Hainan offers the travelling foodie some truly unique culinary experiences which should not be missed. Whereas Wenchang chicken undoubtedly steals the limelight as the island’s signature dish there are a number of lesser known culinary treats that should be on every globetrotting gourmet’s bucket list.

Carvers in Seychelles have learned new techniques in coconut carving from two experts from China who were hosting several workshops in the island nation. Wu Mingju, the vice chairman of Hainan Folk Artists Association, and also the Hainan Provincial Successor of Coconut Carving Arts

Naming and History Also called the Xiangou Pagoda(仙沟塔), the Jianlong Pagoda lies about seven kilometers to the south east of Ding’an and is preserved in good condition. Construction began in 1751 CE during the reign of the Qing Qianlong Emperor with funds contributed by the local county magistrate Wu Wenyun(伍文运) and a scholar named Lin Qihe(林起鹤)

Hainan Island is encircled by the sea on all four sides. Hainanese people have learned to live with the ocean at the same time that they learned to speak and walk. Their entire lives they are accompanied by the ocean and the waves and an understanding of the life that can only come from a food supply borne from the dangerous tides.

In 2008, Haikou's Historical Downtown was selected as one of China's most Famous Historical and Cultural Streets. When mentioning the arcaded semi-colonial streets of old Haikou, it is impossible not to also mention Cantonese Warlord Deng Binchen. During his time on Hainan Island he set up the South Kwongtong Industrial Bank which began issuing paper bank notes.

The unique architecture of the Chinese pagoda has a history dating back more than one thousand years. Tower building in China probably started with the construction of watchtowers to warn of invading armies. With the introduction of Buddhism from India, the religion’s stupa towers influenced pagoda architecture.