Hainan Showcases Cultural Heritage for a Memorable and Magical Spring Festival

Written By: Sunil Soren Majhi

Sunil Soren Majhi

I newly began my journey in journalism, focusing on the dynamic world of travel and tourism. As part of Travel and Tour World, I create engaging stories that explore industry trends, showcase impactful developments, and connect readers with the evolving landscape of global travel. My work reflects a passion for discovery, innovation, and meaningful storytelling

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January 24, 2025 23:43 GMT+5:30

Image generated with Ai

The Hainan Free Trade Port in southern China is bringing the Spring Festival to life with a vibrant celebration of intangible cultural heritage. Visitors can enjoy the island’s abundant sunshine, lush rainforests, rich cultural traditions, and warm hospitality throughout the holiday season.

The Spring Festival, a cherished tradition in Chinese culture, was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last December. To mark this occasion, Hainan has organized 300 unique programs that showcase its cultural heritage. Highlights include traditional activities such as Hainan Opera spear tricks, Lantern Festival flower exchange, carp lantern celebrations, Qionghai Nanzhong dragon dances, the Sanya Phoenix Island Carnival, and demonstrations of Li brocade craftsmanship. Food lovers can indulge in local delicacies like zhegu tea, coconut rice, and brown sugar rice cakes. With its rich traditions and tantalizing cuisine, Hainan promises visitors a holiday to remember.

To enhance the winter experience, Hainan has curated eight themed travel routes, such as romantic beach getaways and island road trips, along with 72 customizable packages that combine ethnic culture, cuisine, and more.

Making travel more accessible, China recently extended its visa-free transit policy from 144 hours to 240 hours and added two new ports of entry in Hainan. International visitors can now conveniently arrive and depart through the island’s three international airports—Haikou Meilan, Sanya Phoenix, and Qionghai Boao.

“Qilou (arcaded buildings), food, surfing… I saw a Hainan that is both traditional and modern. Now that there is a 240-hour visa-free policy, I would love to visit Hainan again to explore further!” said Liu Wenxin, a Singaporean tourist who recently returned from a trip to Hainan.

The Hainan Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, TV, and Sports has announced that the province’s three major airports have fully resumed operations following the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there are 70 international and regional passenger routes connecting Hainan to destinations across Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Hong Kong, Macao, and more. Notably, new routes to the United States, the UAE, and New Zealand offer greater convenience for international travelers.

Moreover, Hainan authorities have introduced multiple payment options to enhance the experience for international sightseers. “When I buy anything, I can scan to pay or tap to pay,” said American tourist David, who used Alipay to make a quick purchase of a souvenir on Haikou’s Qilou Old Street. “From getting off the plane to visiting scenic spots, a mobile phone is all I need. This is incredibly easy!”