Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – When an ancient county government office meets an immersive role-playing game, when "Old Dad's Tea" moves from a teahouse to a cruise ship… this Spring Festival holiday, Hainan's tourism market offered tourists a rich and innovative cultural and tourism feast with a series of new initiatives.
On February 15th, at the Dongpo Old Wharf in Haikou Bay, the cruise ship "Hai Lv 01" slowly departed the port, launching the first "Sea Intangible Cultural Heritage Old Dad's Tea Tour" of the Spring Festival holiday. Inside the cabin, traditional tea snacks such as pineapple buns and coconut cakes were laid out on the tables, and tourists leaned against the ship's railing, enjoying tea and the sea view in a leisurely and comfortable manner.
This is a new project jointly created by Hainan Royal Group and Hainan Marine Tourism Investment and Development Co., Ltd., bringing Hainan's "Old Dad's Tea" to the ship, allowing tourists to experience the leisure and novelty of "Celebrating the New Year at Sea" on the blue waves.
At the Ding'an Ancient County Government Office, an immersive role-playing game, "Come to Ding'an, Be a County Magistrate," awaits tourists' participation. This scripted murder mystery game will be staged at the Ding'an County Government Office Ruins from February 17th to 25th.
Leng Yanglin, Deputy Director of the Ding'an County Tourism and Culture Bureau, explained that the game was meticulously crafted over three months, incorporating three of Ding'an's culinary specialties—Xiangou beef, Zhaobo vinegar, and vegetable-wrapped rice—into the storyline. Visitors enter through the ceremonial gate, listen to the case in the main hall, investigate through the three judicial departments, and finally receive their "seal" at the Jieshi Archway. The entire 70-minute experience allows visitors to learn about Ding'an culture through an immersive scripted performance.
Changing focus to Dacheng Town in Danzhou, the Huayuantian Agricultural Tourism Industrial Park, covering 1,000 acres and featuring over 300 varieties of flowers, opened its doors to visitors before the Spring Festival, becoming a popular destination for exploring nature. The park's main feature is a 300-acre lakeside garden, where impatiens, cosmos, and carnations bloom in succession, creating picturesque scenes at every turn.
In response to the rise of short-distance experiential tourism, the park has innovated the "Flower Tourism+" model, launching a "two-day, one-night" in-depth tour itinerary. Visitors can stroll through the flower fields, experience a bonfire party, stay in characteristic guesthouses, and the following day pick fruits and vegetables and taste local delicacies, achieving a deep integration from natural appreciation to cultural experience.
Across the island, new scenarios of cultural and tourism integration are emerging one after another. In Sanya, "Haitang Story," the first key cultural and tourism integration project to be put into operation after the Hainan Free Trade Port was closed, officially opened on February 10th. The "2026 Sanya Michelin Food Festival," which opened simultaneously, brings together popular restaurants and renowned chefs from multiple culinary cities across China, presenting tourists with diverse Chinese culinary flavors.
In Chengmai, Hainan's first large-scale indoor heated water park, Yinglang Island Heated Water World, opened on February 12th. The park features a variety of attractions including a wave pool, Dragon Valley, Galaxy Rafting, Wave Castle, and Nebula Spinning Slide, catering to children's educational needs, youth challenges, and stress-relieving activities for adults. Its diverse and fun activities and interactive experiences are suitable for the whole family.
In addition, the Shenchong Coastal Tourist Resort in Danzhou upgraded its shell workshop and volcanic rock guesthouses; the Changjiang Kuanghai Yayuan Guesthouse integrated Li ethnic culture into its courtyard houses; the "Mashanglai·Tongshi 1988" Spring Festival Market in Wuzhishan transformed the entire area into a nostalgic playground; and the night cruises on the Lingshui River added new vitality to the nighttime economy.
Across the province, Hainan's cultural and tourism projects are quietly transforming during this Spring Festival holiday, moving beyond the traditional "ticket economy." From simply "viewing the scenery" to "immersing oneself in it," from "spectators" to "protagonists," a series of new activities have transformed tourists from fleeting visitors into individuals who find a deeper connection with Hainan through their experiences, adding more vibrancy and warmth to the island's New Year celebrations. (End)
