On March 20th, 2019, a press conference was held for the Li and Miao ethnic minority groups in celebration of their traditional Sanyuesan Festival. The 2019 Hainan Sanyuesan Festival is set to be held from April 6th to 9th.

The city of Wuzhishan and the county of Baoting will be the main venues for the traditional festival for the Li and Miao ethnic minority groups. The cities and counties of Sanya, Danzhou, Qionghai, Wanning, Dongfang, Haikou, Tunchang, Ledong, Qiongzhong, Changjiang, and Baisha will hold supporting events in celebration of the festival.

Meanwhile, the logo and mascots for the Hainan Sanyuesan Festival also made their debuts at the conference. It is believed that the cute images of the three mascots will win over people’s hearts and help promote traditional culture in a creative way.

2019 Hainan Traditional Sanyuesan Festival 
2019年海南黎族苗族传统节日“三月三”活动
Date: April 6th to April 9th, 2019
Main venues: Wuzhishan City and Baoting County
Sub-Venues: Sanya, Danzhou, Qionghai, Wanning, Dongfang, Haikou, Tunchang, Ledong, Qiongzhong, Changjiang, and Baisha
What to expect: There are more than 40 culturally rich events scheduled.
 
Wuzhishan City

Grand Pao Long Kou Ceremony (Worship Ceremony for the Hercules of the Li People)
袍隆扣大典
Date: April 7th, 2019
Venue: Lidong Culture Park at Shuiman County / 水满乡黎峒文化园

Lingshui County

Opening Ceremony and Gala Show
开幕式暨主题文艺晚会
Date: April 7th, 2019
Time: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui HNA Sports Stadium / 陵水海航体育场

Ethnic Totem Maze Game
图腾迷宫
Date: April 7th to 9th, 2019
Venue: Lingshui Culture Square /陵水文化广场

Photo Exhibition of Hainan’s Ethnic Economic and Social Achievement
民族地区经济社会发展成就展
Date: April 7th to 9th, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Agile Sports Stadium /陵水雅居乐体育馆

Baoting City Tourism Investment Promotion Meeting
旅游招商推介活动
Date: April 8th, 2019
Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Culture Square /陵水文化广场

Ethnic Li Brocade and Miao Embroidery Techniques Competitions and Display
黎锦苗绣技艺展示及比赛
Date: April 8th, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Southwest of Lingshui Agile Sports Stadium /陵水雅居乐体育馆西南侧

Ethnic Li and Miao Singing Event 黎族苗族民歌对唱
Date: April 8th, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Southeast of Lingshui Agile Sports Stadium /陵水雅居乐体育馆东南侧

Bamboo Dancing Competition 竹竿舞比赛
Date: April 8th, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Venue: Lingshui Culture Square /陵水文化广场

Ethnic Minority Athletic Competition and Folk Custom Sports Activities
少数民族传统体育竞技和趣味活动
Date: April 7th to 9th, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Sports Square /陵水体育广场

Ethnic Minority Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition 民族书画展
Date: April 7th to 9th, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Agile Sports Stadium /陵水雅居乐体育馆

Li Ethnic Cultural Book Donation Ceremony 黎族文化书籍赠书仪式
Date: April 8th, 2019
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Venue: Lingshui Agile Sports Stadium /陵水雅居乐体育馆

Second Hainan Ethnic Miao Culture Forum
第二届海南苗族文化论坛
Date: April 6th, 2019
Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Badminton Hotel /陵水伯明顿酒店

Third Hainan Li Ethnic Culture Forum
第三届黎族文化论坛
Date: April 6th, 2019
Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Badminton Hotel /陵水伯明顿酒店

Farmers Food Bazaar
农夫和美食集市
Date: April 7th to 9th, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Ethnic Commercial Street /陵水民族风情街

“Romantic Street”
浪漫街区
Date: April 7th to 9th, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Ethnic Commercial Street /陵水民族风情街

Top Ethnic Cuisine Selection
民族美食评比
Date: April 8th, 2019
Time: 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Ethnic Commercial Street /陵水民族风情街

Rice Wine Making Contest
米酒调酒大赛
Date: April 8th, 2019
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Ethnic Commercial Street /陵水民族风情街

Rice Wine Making Skills Display and Winners Selection
米酒制作工艺展示评比
Date: April 8th, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Ethnic Commercial Street /陵水民族风情街

Li Brocade Artworks Display
黎锦染织工作坊
Date: April 7th to 9th, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Lingshui Ethnic Commercial Street /陵水民族风情街

“Sanyuesan” Rural Leisure Tours
陵水三月三乡村休闲游系列活动
Date: April 7th to 9th, 2019
Venue: Benhao Township /本号镇大里

“Sanyuesan” Fruit Pick at Rural Site
陵水三月三乡村旅游采摘系列活动
Date: March to May 2019
Venue: Guangpo Township /光坡镇

“Sanyuesan” Li and Miao Ethnic Wedding Ceremony
陵水三月三黎苗风情婚礼
Date: April 9th, 2019
Venue: OnlyOnly Wedding Studio Base, Xiangshui Bay, Guangpo Township /光坡镇香水湾唯一视觉婚纱基地

Sanya City

Date: April 2nd to 4th, 2019
Venue: Tianya Haijiao Scenic Spot /天涯海角景区; Luhuitou Park /鹿回头风景区

A series of cultural events will be held, providing entertainment for residents and tourists at two major scenic spots in Sanya — Tianya Haijiao Scenic Spot and Luhuitou Park — from April 2nd to 4th, 2019

The cultural events in celebration of Hainan’s Sanyuesan Festival in Sanya include:

– Closing Ceremony and a gala show featuring Li and Miao minority dances and songs

– Traditional ethnic athletic competition

– Li and Miao intangible cultural heritage exhibition

– Li and Miao traditional costume exhibition

– Li and Miao brocade weaving and embroidery competition

Hainan Sanyuesan Festival

The Sanyuesan Festival is the largest traditional festival of the Li and Miao minorities in Hainan Province. The festival takes place on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month of each year. The holiday is a known as a time for boys and girls to express their love through singing and dancing competitions. The festival is also sometimes referred to as “Valentine’s Day” for the Li and Miao people.

On the day of the festival, young boys and girls from nearby settlements get together in bright and attractive clothing. They hold hands and sing songs, perform bamboo pole dances, and go on dates in houses that are shaped like boats. At the break of dawn, they exchange gifts and promise to meet again the next year.