Exploring Hainan’s Floating B&b, Connects Tradition With Modern Tourism: Here Is What You Need To Know Before Planning A Trip

Published on August 30, 2025

On nan tropical land of Hainan, China, a unsocial acquisition is drafting successful visitors. Unlike immoderate emblematic bed-and-breakfast, 1 floating B&B offers a chance to unrecorded connected nan h2o and immerse oneself successful Tanka culture. Located disconnected nan seashore of Xincun town, successful Lingshui Li Autonomous County, this floating colony is not only a spot to enactment but a measurement into nan manner of nan Tanka people, whose practice is tied to nan sea.

The Journey to a Floating B&B

Visitors looking to enactment astatine this different accommodation request to committee ferry boats. Captain Li Yingyi, who has been navigating these waters since nan property of 9, is nan guideline who shuttles guests to nan floating village. Li operates arsenic galore arsenic 200 trips a time during highest seasons, taking visitors to spot woody houses that float connected nan waves.

This floating colony was primitively built by nan Tanka people—an taste group who person lived for generations connected boats and sampans, surviving by sportfishing successful nan waters of Hainan. The colony offers a uncommon penetration into nan boat-dwelling traditions that person sustained nan Tanka organization for centuries.

The Transformation of Floating Rafts

What was erstwhile a elemental sportfishing raft has now transformed into a bustling tourist homestay. The rafts were initially built for aquaculture, pinch woody planks tied together and fixed onto foam buoys for stability. Over time, section fishermen began converting these rafts into floating restaurants, and now, they person evolved into homestays.

Feng Bing, nan head of 1 specified B&B, explains really nan section organization has repurposed these rafts. He further added that they person reinforced them and turned these rafts into homestays. The floating B&B has go an highly celebrated spot, particularly successful nan summer, wherever reservations must beryllium made weeks successful advance.

Cultural Immersion and Local Activities

Visitors to nan floating B&B tin indulge successful a assortment of section experiences. From foraging for crabs and starfish during debased tide to exploring nan waters successful glass-bottom boats, there’s nary shortage of outdoor activities. For those willing successful a much hands-on experience, squid fishing is besides an option.

The floating B&B has go a hotspot for tourists, pinch much than 100,000 visitors since it opened 4 years ago. Not only has it created a unique experience for travelers, but it has besides provided a dependable root of income for nan section community.

Creating Jobs and Strengthening nan Local Economy

The floating B&B has had a singular effect connected nan section system which is astir notable done employment opportunities. About 20 young adults from nan Tanka organization are employed astatine nan homestay, earning 3,000 to 5,000 yuan a period and 6,000 yuan during nan highest season. This is beneficial for nan organization arsenic it is has chiefly depended connected sportfishing for income.

A Glimpse into Tanka Life

Inside nan floating homestay, there’s a mini accumulation showcasing nan rich history and manner of nan Tanka people. The postulation includes old tools, shell spoons, handmade wedding fans, and different items collected by nan section fish raft association. Feng Bing explains that while these items are not valuable, they service to show nan communicative of their ancestors’ measurement of life.

Hainan Tanka Museum: A Cultural Gateway

For visitors who want to delve deeper into nan history of nan Tanka people, nan Hainan Tanka Museum is simply a must-see. Opened successful September 2023, this 20,000-square-meter depository is nan first of its benignant successful China. It boasts astir 360 exhibits focusing connected nan Tanka people’s maritime history and accepted crafts. Utilizing VR technology and digital displays, nan depository brings visitors up adjacent to nan civilization that erstwhile dominated nan region’s coastal waters.

One depository guide, Cai Yongchan, a 24-year-old descendant of nan Tanka people, finds heavy individual meaning successful her work. After finishing university, she returned location to activity astatine nan museum, hoping to link nan younger procreation pinch nan rich taste history of their ancestors. She stated that erstwhile she was young, she didn’t understand overmuch astir my grandparents’ life astatine sea. Now that she has learned more, she consciousness my relationship to nan culture.

Keeping Tanka Traditions Alive

Cai mentions really younger generations are little acquainted pinch nan accepted manner of nan Tanka people, arsenic galore now unrecorded on land. To span this gap, nan museum useful tirelessly to sphere and dispersed consciousness of Tanka culture. As Cai reflects, her purpose is not only to amended but besides to guarantee that future generations understand and admit nan history of their people.

The Legacy of nan Tanka People

The tone of nan Tanka community is captured done nan words of Huang Jimin, an 80-year-old advocator for Tanka heritage. Huang expressed that his top dream was not for nan civilization to beryllium wholly preserved but for group to remember that nan Tanka group had erstwhile lived connected nan seas. His wish lives connected done those for illustration Cai who are moving to guarantee that nan civilization is not forgotten.

Conclusion

The floating furniture and meal successful Hainan serves arsenic much than a B&B; it is an oculus into nan heritage, civilization and customs of nan Tanka people. It enables nan Tanka measurement of life to beryllium preserved, and ensures that nan early procreation does not hide nan ancestors who erstwhile flourished on nan seashore of China.