Li & Miao Villages

　　The villages are surrounded by an ancient, tranquil atmosphere rich in pastoral charm, exuding primitive warmth and tropical flair. With performances of Li and Miao ethnic dances and the presence of beautiful, hospitable Li and Miao girls, the area showcases the ethnic customs and religious cultural beliefs of Hainan’s Li and Miao peoples. Don’t miss the chance to accept the invitation of a lovely Li girl and join in a lively bamboo dance.

　　Highlights of the Li & Miao Villages: The Li and Miao are the first and second largest ethnic minorities in Hainan, respectively. They generally live in the central and southern mountainous regions of Hainan Island. Therefore, if you’re visiting Sanya and want to experience authentic Li and Miao culture, many genuine Li and Miao villages are difficult to access due to remote locations and challenging terrain—often out of reach for the average traveler. A convenient alternative is to visit the Li & Miao Villages along the eastern or central routes of Sanya’s highways, which are open to tourists. These villages feature lush, sturdy coconut trees, tall and proud betel nut palms, elegant and slender bamboo, robust palm trees, and broad-leaved fan palms.

　　Although the indigenous minorities around Sanya have long since entered modern civilization—and are even hard to find these days—you can still experience their warmth, music, dance, and craftsmanship here. Handmade Li brocade and Miao batik, both carrying an authentic, rustic charm, make excellent souvenirs. You might just find yourself pulled into a flower-bedecked Li girl’s stilt house to play the part of her temporary groom, or be asked by a Miao girl to try on traditional ethnic clothing for a photo. Then join in a bamboo pole dance, watch an authentic “climb the blade mountain” or “walk on fire” performance. Though these have become commercialized, observing their customs, clothing, food, and more still offers a uniquely fascinating experience.

　　The Li Village is a sea of green. The boat-shaped thatched cottages nestled among the trees are quaint and leisurely, while paths as delicate as leaf veins resemble exquisite little poems. In this pure, serene, and rustic setting, free from worldly hustle and bustle, visitors’ minds are free from disturbance. The freshly plowed rice fields, tender rice seedlings, sturdy water buffalo, swaying banyan trees, and trickling irrigation ditches feel familiar; the large purple eggplants, thick green scallions, tall cilantro, slim radishes, and flocks of white ducks all seem endearingly close. The narrow alleys, gray-blue courtyards, old-fashioned hand-pumped wells, and the long, drawn-out creak of shoulder poles all contribute to the village’s classic charm. Coconut and papaya trees decorating the fronts and backs of homes add a touch of rustic nostalgia, while the crowing of neighborly ducks and birds hidden deep in the trees lend an extra layer of simplicity and tranquility to the idyllic atmosphere. A trip to the Li & Miao Villages truly brings to life the essence of Meng Haoran’s poem “Passing by an Old Friend’s Farmhouse”!

　　It is said that when Li girls reach the age of sixteen or seventeen (known as “two eights”), they move into a separate house called a “long-” and wait for a romantic suitor to awaken their affection. The “Romance House” is filled with the ambiance of a traditional “men farm, women weave” lifestyle.