Hainan Binglanggu Li and Miao Cultural Tourism Area is located in Ganshiling Nature Reserve, Sandao Town, Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County, Hainan Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction.
The scenic area is situated in a sea of more than ten thousand graceful, slender betel nut palms. It is composed of cultural experience areas such as the Intangible Cultural Heritage Village, Ganshi Li Village, Guyin Miao Family, and Tianye Li Family. The scenic area covers 509 mu. It is also home to ten national-level intangible cultural heritage items and can be called a “living fossil” of Hainan’s ethnic culture. In the scenic area, there is a distinctive building known as the boat-shaped house. It is the traditional dwelling of the Li people and has a unique shape and cultural connotations.
Historical Culture
The history of Binglanggu can be traced back to ancient times. It was originally a village inhabited by the Li people. The Li are one of the earliest inhabitants of Hainan Island and have a long history and unique culture. Over time, Miao people from surrounding areas gradually migrated here and lived together with the Li, forming a situation in which Li and Miao cultures blended with each other.
In the long course of development, the Li and Miao peoples created a rich cultural heritage, such as the Li brocade weaving technique, pottery-making technique, bark cloth-making technique, and Miao embroidery and batik. These cultural skills have been passed down from generation to generation and have become shining pearls in the treasure house of Chinese national culture.
Later, in order to better protect and pass on these outstanding ethnic cultures, the local government and enterprises jointly built the Hainan Binglanggu Li and Miao Cultural Tourism Area, concentrating cultural elements scattered among various villages for display, so that more people can understand and experience the charm of Li and Miao culture.
Main Attractions
Intangible Cultural Heritage Village
The Intangible Cultural Heritage Village is a concentrated area in the scenic spot that displays national-level intangible cultural heritage. Here you can see displays and inheritance of many national-level intangible cultural heritage items, such as the Li traditional spinning, dyeing, weaving and embroidery technique, the Li bark cloth-making technique, and the Li pottery-making technique. Visitors can watch artisans make them on site and learn about the production process and cultural connotations of these ancient techniques.
Ganshi Li Village
Ganshi Li Village was formed through the protection of a Li village with hundreds of years of history. The village retains a large number of traditional Li buildings—boat-shaped houses—as well as granaries, huts, and other buildings. Strolling through it, you can feel the strong flavor of Li life and learn about the Li people’s residential culture, farming culture, and more.
Guyin Miao Family
Guyin Miao Family displays the cultural characteristics of the Miao people. Here you can admire traditional Miao clothing, silver ornaments, embroidery, and other handicrafts, and watch Miao song and dance performances. Miao embroidery is bright in color and exquisite in pattern, and the silver ornament-making craft is superb, fully reflecting the wisdom and creativity of the Miao people.
Tianye Li Family
With pastoral scenery as the background, Tianye Li Family shows the farming culture of the Li people. Visitors can see traditional Li agricultural production tools and learn about the Li people’s farming lifestyle. In addition, they can take part in some farming experience activities, such as transplanting rice seedlings and harvesting, to feel the joy of labor.
Orchid Cabins
The Orchid Cabins are hidden deep in Binglanggu, surrounded by various beautiful orchids. The cabins have a unique architectural style and blend into the surrounding natural environment. Here you can relax, enjoy the beauty of the orchids, and feel the tranquility and beauty of nature.
Suggested Tour Route：
If you have enough time, it is recommended that visitors start from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Village, where you can gain an in-depth understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of the Li and Miao peoples. Then go to Ganshi Li Village to experience the Li people’s traditional residential culture and lifestyle. After that, go to Guyin Miao Family to enjoy the Miao people’s distinctive culture and song and dance performances. Finally, you can go to Tianye Li Family to experience farming life and stroll through the pastoral scenery.
If time is limited, you can focus on the Intangible Cultural Heritage Village and Ganshi Li Village. These two areas concentrate the essence of Li and Miao culture.
Travel Tips：
Learn the performance times in the scenic area in advance and arrange your itinerary reasonably so as not to miss wonderful song and dance performances.
You can taste local specialty food in the scenic area, but pay attention to food hygiene.
If you are interested in Li and Miao culture, you can take part in cultural experience activities organized by the scenic area, such as learning brocade weaving and pottery making.
When visiting in summer, take sun protection and heatstroke prevention measures, and bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and other items.
Precautions：
Respect the local ethnic culture and customs, and do not touch or damage displayed cultural relics and handicrafts at will.
Follow the instructions of staff in the scenic area, abide by the scenic area’s regulations, and do not enter unopened areas without permission.
If you bring children or elderly people, pay attention to their safety to avoid accidents while walking.
There are many mosquitoes and insects in the scenic area, so it is recommended to bring mosquito repellent.
Transportation：
Self-driving: Starting from Sanya, drive along the Hainan Ring Expressway, get off at the Sandao Town exit, and then follow the road signs to reach the scenic area. The total distance is about 30 kilometers, and the drive takes about 40 minutes.
Bus: Take a scheduled bus from Sanya Bus Terminal toward Baoting or Wuzhishan, and get off at the entrance of Binglanggu Scenic Area.
Tourist shuttle: Some hotels in Sanya have direct tourist shuttle buses to Binglanggu Scenic Area. Visitors can ask the hotel front desk in advance for specific schedules and times.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open from 08:00 to 17:30. Visitors are advised to arrange their itinerary reasonably within the opening hours so as to fully tour the scenic area.
Tickets：
Admission is 118 yuan per person.