Dreaming of a one-of-a-kind adventure? Head to Lingshui Li Autonomous County in Hainan Province on the Chinese mainland, where a 500-year-old Tanka community floats above the deep blue sea. 🛶🌊
From a bird’s-eye view, Xincun Fishing Port looks like a giant maze—an endless grid of rafts, net enclosures, and tiny huts, all linked by narrow wooden walkways. Here, the Tanka people (also known as Danjia) have lived aboard sampans for generations, breathing life into age-old fishing traditions. 🐟
For over five centuries, Tanka families have built these floating settlements on fish-breeding rafts. Their unique lifestyle is reflected in every detail: from the colorful streamers that decorate each hut to the local dialect they speak, echoing tales of the sea. 🎏
This year, more young explorers and culture seekers are discovering Xincun’s charming waterways. Glide through the lanes on a small boat, chat with residents as they sort their catch, and taste freshly caught seafood right on the raft—no land required! 🍴🐠
Beyond its eye-catching layout, the floating maze serves as a living museum. Customs, beliefs, and rituals tied to the water world remain alive: moon-lit blessing ceremonies, hand-woven nets passed down through families, and festivals that honor the sea gods. 🌕🎣
Visiting Xincun offers a glimpse into a culture that defies time and gravity. Here, life flows with the tide, reminding us that tradition can float forward into the future—one raft at a time. 🌟
Reference(s):
Floating maze: Discovering Hainan's 500-year-old Tanka fishing village
cgtn.com
