Boat-Shaped Houses of Li People, a Silhouette of Mountains and Ocean

  The densely and intricately arranged boat-shaped houses of the Li ethnic group, are a unique architecture that combines the characteristics of mountains and ocean, as well as a witness to the cultural history of the Li people for thousands of years. The ancestors of the Li people thrived on Hainan Island and created their own ethnic culture for thousands of years, and the boat-shaped houses are just a part of it. Today, let us together appreciate the national-level intangible cultural heritage - the boat-shaped houses of the Li ethnic group, and feel the profound and long-standing Li culture.

  01 Boat-Shaped Houses: The Vessel of an Ancient Historical Civilization

  When Hainan was still a barren island, the ancestors of the Li people sailed across the sea from the mainland coast on wooden boats. On this primitive land, they overturned their boats and used them as houses by covering them on the ground. In order to commemorate their ancestors' thousands of miles of migration, the descendants of the Li people began to build houses in the shape of boats in the valleys.

  The neatly arranged boat-shaped houses of the Li ethnic group represent the harmony between traditional Li culture and nature. They are simple and remote, like a gallery in ancient civilization, full of magical and primitive beauty in the real world, as if they were painted by an artist's brush.

  02 Boat-Shaped Houses: A Unique and Romantic Type of Architecture

  They are ancient dwellings of the Li people, and historical records have also documented them: "The Li people live in houses with two eaves. When living next to Han people, they open their doors under the eaves and weave wood to make walls, which are then coated with mud, resembling a boat canopy." People use local materials such as trees, bamboo, vines, and grass to build the houses, with bamboo and wood as the frame and grass as the roof. Without windows, the shape of the house is like an upside-down boat, hence it gained the name "boat-shaped house."

  It is even lesser known that the grass roof of the boat-shaped house needs to be replaced every few years. However, grass only grows on burnt mountain slopes, which must be burned every year for the grass to grow lush the following year. Because they are located in the tropical jungle, these houses made of mud and grass are prone to dampness and must be heated and cooked by people inside the house. The smoke from burning firewood helps prevent the house from decaying.

  The rounded arch structure of boat-shaped houses is resistant to typhoons, and the elevated structure has the function of preventing dampness, miasma, and rain. The grass roof also has good performance in moisture and heat insulation.

  In the middle of the boat-shaped house, there are three tall pillars, which are called "ge'e" in the Li language, symbolizing men. On either side of it, there are six short pillars, called "geding" in the Li language, symbolizing women. This implies that a family is composed of both men and women.

  The boat-shaped houses have experienced the vicissitudes of a thousand years, enduring countless winds and rains, but still preserving their original shape. When the thatched roofs on top rot or burn, they are re-covered by people, while the sturdy boat-shaped structure always silently endures all kinds of hardships, calmly standing there, conveying a positive and resilient energy.

  03 Boat-Shaped Houses: Guardians of the Li Ethnic Group's Spiritual Homeland

  In 2008, the "Li Boat-shaped House Construction Technique" in Dongfang City was listed into the second batch of national-level intangible cultural heritages. This was also the first ancient architectural site in Hainan Province to be successfully declared a national-level intangible cultural heritage. In 2015, the Baicha Boat-Shaped House was listed into the third batch of provincial-level cultural relics protection sites in Hainan.

  Today, the ship-shaped house has become a cultural symbol that enters the view of tourists. In beautiful villages such as Zhongliao, Baoqian, and Binglang Valley, we are still fortunate enough to appreciate these ancient buildings. They stand quietly, emanating an ancient glow that invites people to reflect and remember.

  The Li-style boat-shaped houses are not only a testament to the past, but also a symbol of contemporary culture that has captivated the attention of tourists. In the beautiful villages of Zhongliao, Baoqian, and Binglang Valley, we have the privilege of admiring these ancient structures, which stand in silence and exude an ancient glow that encourages us to reflect on our memories and the rich heritage of the Li people. Come and explore the beauty of architecture in Sanya and immerse yourself in the profound culture of the Li people.