When century-old Qiong Opera meets international students, a Chinese New Year “show” takes the stage.

The 2026 Chinese New Year marks the first Chinese New Year since the Hainan Free Trade Port began special customs operations. An increasing number of foreign friends in Hainan are actively joining the rich and colorful Chinese New Year celebrations, experiencing the charm of traditional holiday culture.

In this vlog, Paembonan, an international student from Indonesia, and Rabbia Sarwar, an international student from Pakistan — both devoted “fans” of Qiong Opera — step into the Hainan Provincial Qiong Opera Theatre to further explore the art form’s unique appeal and discover how it embodies Hainan’s distinctive Chinese New Year spirit.