As Hainan accelerates its development as a global free trade port, the island's Baisha Li Autonomous County is captivating visitors this November with its annual La'aomen Festival – a cultural symphony blending ancient agricultural traditions with 21st-century innovation. Running through late 2025, the event celebrates the Li ethnic group's harvest rituals through immersive experiences spanning ceremonial dances, mountain farming demonstrations, and communal feasts featuring indigenous shanlan rice.
This year's dual-venue format offers distinct perspectives on Li heritage. At the traditional site, visitors participate in time-honored practices like hand-milling rice and weaving Li brocade. The modern counterpart employs augmented reality to visualize ancient farming techniques, while interactive exhibitions trace the cultural evolution of China's southernmost province. Festival director Chen Wei explains: "We're showing how cultural preservation fuels innovation – our ancestors' sustainable farming methods inspire modern ecological practices."
With Hainan attracting increased international attention through its free trade port policies, the festival has become a strategic cultural diplomacy platform. Recent attendance figures show 35% foreign participation, including ASEAN delegates exploring agricultural partnerships. As night falls, the celebration transforms into a luminous spectacle, with drone formations depicting Li creation myths above the tropical highlands – a vivid metaphor for Hainan's dual embrace of tradition and progress.
