Haikou's Dongpo Old Wharf came alive this weekend as the thunderous rhythms of Yingge dance echoed through the historic site, blending cultural preservation with modern tourism appeal. The January 10 performance marked another successful integration of Hainan's intangible heritage into its winter tourism strategy, drawing both domestic travelers and international visitors.
As wooden sticks clacked in precise unison and masked dancers twirled through intricate formations, the 700-year-old Lingnan tradition demonstrated its enduring power. "This isn't just a show – it's our ancestors' stories in motion," explained Chen Wei, a third-generation Yingge performer, during an interview with KhabarAsia.
The cultural revival coincides with Hainan's push to position itself as Asia's winter tourism hub. Recent infrastructure upgrades at Dongpo Old Wharf allow nightly light shows to complement weekend dance performances, creating what tourism officials call "a living museum of southern Chinese culture.\p>
With visitor numbers to Haikou's cultural sites up 18% compared to last winter season, the Yingge phenomenon offers valuable lessons in balancing heritage conservation with economic development. As night fell on Saturday, the mingled scents of salt air and street food vendors' grills completed the sensory experience, leaving visitors like Malaysian tourist Aminah Hassan marveling: "I came for the beaches but found China's beating cultural heart."
