Li and Miao Village in Sanya, Hainan

Li and Miao Village

Li and Miao People's Village is located in Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County. Li tribes were originally known by the name Liliao in the Sui Dynasty. They refer to themselves as the Hlai or Sai people. They settled down in Hainan 2,000 years ago. It is said that a Li girl starts to live in her boudoir alone when she is sixteen year old. She is just waiting her true lover to come to her house. There wooden drum, bow and arrows, pestle and mortar, a bamboo basket and shoulder pole, needlework and weaving tools figure out a peaceful life that men till the land and women weave cloth.

Why is Li and Miao Village So Special

Located in the heart of the rainforest in a unique nature reserve, the living spaces of the Li and Miao minorities are known to be quite isolated from the world. Today, this park contains two villages and houses a number of people from these two ethnic groups in order to perpetuate their cultures and traditions, along with making them known to the world. The characteristic of these people is that they live in the middle of betel nut valley. Just like a coconut tree, this tree plays an important role in the Li and Miao culture. For them it is a beautiful and thin girl. Moreover many chew betel nut in order to refresh the mind. Li are known for their brocades in China and abroad. With their bright colors and unique designs, the art work is worth a glance, along with the way that they teach art to young people.

Introduction of Li and Miao Ethnic People

Main Sights

Li & Miao minority culture, Li Village, Miao Village, a tropical rainforest

Traditional Dwellings

The highly hanging heads of ox before a house show a glory of hunter's harvest. The unique folk dancing like 'Dance of Should Pole', 'Hunting Dance', 'Dance of seizing Ghosts', 'Dance of Pest ling Rice', and acrobatic performance of climbing a hill of broadswords, playing with a fire reflect a concept of religion, culture and life in ancient time.

Population

Miao tribe, with people of approximately 60,000, moved to Hainan Island from Guangxi about 800 years ago. They primarily resided into the mountains near Baoting Country. For the past years, they live peacefully together with the Li people around Five Finger Mountain. They have their own spoken language. But they are different from the Miao People on the Mainland China in terms of spoken language, daily life and culture.

Traditional Festival

San Yue San is a special occasion in April each year for the unmarried young men and women of Li and Miao communities to celebrate new life and pray for love and happiness. Today it has turned to a public ceremony for all Li and Miao, to celebrate with songs, dances and sporting activities. The villages is definitely worth a visit whilst on yourtravels to Sanya.

Local Activities

Almost everywhere in the villages, the people of minorities wear traditional costumes and especially tattoos that are the hallmark of these ethnic groups. It is possible to visit some of the houses and gardens, wandering freely in the village. A theater was built to accommodate the traditional songs and dances. Thus, it is possible to attend the famous bamboo dance of Li or the show of Fire and Knives Miao.

History of Yi and Miao people in Hainan

LI People are the first inhabitants of Hainan Island, they moved to Hainan Island about 5000 years ago. The Li ethnic group of China mainly inhabits in the nine middle of the Island.; Miao Ethnic Group moved to Hainan Island 800 years ago, and now lives in the mountain areas in the middle part of Hainan Island.

Travel Guide Accommodation in Sanya

Travel with China Dragon Tours(Top Recommended)

If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package which covers sightseeing dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Sanya with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing.

How to Get There

• Take bus 105, 17, 1, 25, 28, 40, 44, 9 in downtown and get off at City Government Station, then walk for about 350 meters.
• Taxis from Sanya City to Binglanggu cost around CNY100.

Useful Travel Tips 

• Performances such as the bamboo dance and the show of fire and knives are well worth watching.
• The Yi and Miao people are singing and dancing tribes and they are very hospitable.

Famous Attractions in Hainan Province

• Holiday Beach
• Volcanoes World Geoparks
• Yanuoda Rainforest Scenic Area in Sanya
• Sanya Bay
• Dadonghai Sea in Sanya
• Hiatang Bay
• West Island in Sanya

Edited by  Lynette Fu/付云锐