A hundred years ago, French scholar François Marie Savina journeyed on foot across Hainan, documenting a significant cultural portrait of the tropical island in his book Monographie de Hainan.

A century after Savina’s visit, six global content creators from countries as far afield as France, Russia, Malaysia, and Indonesia followed Savina’s original expedition route, exploring historical legacies and observing the evolving Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP).

The "Journey Across a Century with Savina" Hainan Free Trade Port Field Trip for Youth from Europe and Asia, hosted by Hainan Daily Press Group and organized by the Hainan International Communication Center (HIMC), was held from July 4 to 9, bringing together young people from Europe and Asia.

The young creators travelled through Haikou, Wenchang, Lingshui, and Wuzhishan. With immersive journeys, firsthand experiences, and visual storytelling, they initiated a century-long dialogue with Hainan.

Retracing a century-old route and Nanyang heritage

The journey started at Haikou’s Qilou Historical & Cultural Quarter, where the aged walls and Nanyang (Southeast Asian)-style qilou arcades made Russian content creator Varvara Rogovaia feel as if she had “travelled back a hundred years.” Meanwhile, Malaysian creator Trayson mentioned that the neighborhood gave him “the feeling of coming home.”

Their emotional bond spans national borders, showcasing the lasting appeal of this centuries-old cultural heritage.

French creator Cleo, visiting Hainan for the first time, arrived with a strong interest in exploring the island’s culture. Before the trip, she had read Savina’s Monographie de Hainan. While sipping coconut water in Qilou, she contrasted the clothing in the historical photographs from the book with that of the nearby locals, trying to see the island through Savina’s perspective.

“The Hainan described by Savina is strikingly different from what I see today,” Cleo said. “His book describes poor transportation links and the difficulties of traveling around the island. Today, however, Haikou is filled with the features of a modern city. The transformation over just one century has left a deep impression on me.”

After leaving Haikou, the creators went to Puqian in Wenchang and visited the Sanpo Zaopocu Culture Recreational Farmstead. They explored the cultural exhibition hall and handicraft workshop, receiving an in-depth introduction to the intangible cultural heritage behind this local delicacy.

The dish’s distinctive sour and spicy flavor earned praise from Malaysian creator Hwong Kah Ing. Cleo was also impressed by the setting, where visitors could “look out over the sea while enjoying nature’s peaceful surroundings.”

From strolling through historic streets steeped in Nanyang heritage to exploring workshops and sampling genuine Hainan dishes, the creators were more than just tourists. They captured memories of the centuries-old cultural exchanges between China and the West through food and photography.

Life on the fish farms reveals a century of change

The lowlands of Lingshui were dotted with extensive coconut groves... They resembled a cluster of intoxicated individuals leaning on each other to stay upright.

This description from Savina’s book remained vivid in Cleo’s mind.

When she arrived in Lingshui herself, the nearly deserted coastline that Savina described a century ago was gone. It had been replaced by rows of floating fishing communities inhabited by the Tanka people.

Cleo toured the floating village and participated in beach-combing. She was intrigued by this “floating city," with its homes, restaurants, and entertainment venues coexisting on the water. She later described the whole experience as “entering another world.”

Indonesian creator Vania Andireja tried jet skiing and stand-up paddleboarding and enthusiastically recommended Lingshui's unique vibe to her followers.

Beyond the everyday life of its floating communities, Lingshui’s natural environment also captivated the young visitors.

At Nanwan Monkey Island, the creators rode a 2,138-meter cable car over the sea and tropical forest. With vast views of the coast and rainforest, they called it a remarkable experience. French creator Thibaut Grzelak engaged directly with the macaques, and Varvara was delighted as they took the nuts she offered them.

Discovering new life in the Li communities

“You haven’t truly visited Hainan until you’ve been to Wuzhishan.”

Beneath the peak of Wuzhi, the “five-fingered” mountain, the creators immersed themselves in the traditions and daily life of the Li ethnic group.

They marveled at towering ancient trees that created a natural, oxygen-rich sanctuary and engaged in various intangible cultural heritage activities. They picked and tasted tea, shaped Li pottery on a wheel, wove Li brocade, and played traditional bamboo and wooden instruments, gaining a brief glimpse of life as part of the local community.

Hwong Kah Ing was surprised to find similarities between traditional Li clothing patterns and Malaysian batik. This cultural link instantly made her feel familiar with the designs.

After comparing what she saw with the records in Monographie de Hainan, Cleo noted that Savina had predicted a century ago that certain local languages might vanish. Currently, however, those languages are still spoken, and traditional clothing has experienced a revival through modern design.

As bamboo poles hit the ground in a sharp rhythm, young visitors from various countries joined villagers in traditional attire to perform the bamboo and Gongtong dances. Holding hands, they bridged cultural gaps through movement, laughter, and shared moments.

After the dance, Thibaut said sincerely, “This trip has been incredible.”

Retracing Savina’s route made him realize that, despite Hainan's modern development, it still preserves the natural beauty and unique local culture portrayed in Monographie de Hainan.

During the event, HIMC also held a livestream in Maona Village called “Exploring Maona Li Village in Wuzhishan with Overseas Communication Officer Alex,” as part of the Journey Across a Century field trip. While visiting the village, the participants engaged in traditional activities such as exploring boat-shaped houses, making Li pottery by hand, learning Li language phrases, singing Li songs, and weaving Li brocade. These interactive experiences vividly brought to life the rich, centuries-old intangible cultural heritage of the Li people.

Sharing Hainan with the world through immersive experiences

Through this dual-track journey, exploring century-old heritage while experiencing the modern FTP, the creators encountered not only Hainan’s natural beauty but also its cultural depth and the vitality of its contemporary development.

By comparing each destination with Savina’s written accounts, they obtained direct insight into the current changes on the island.

Hwong Kah Ing and Vania said retracing Savina’s route took them beyond typical tourist sites. They explored fishing villages, foraged along the coast, and entered Li communities, where genuine local traditions provided them with a richer insight into Hainan’s unique identity.

Trayson mentioned that staying in a floating village in Lingshui offered him an especially immersive travel experience. Meanwhile, Varvara was impressed by the mountains and waters she encountered throughout her trip and considered herself fortunate to have completed the entire itinerary.

Thibaut described Hainan as an ideal holiday spot and expressed excitement to come back. Next time, he plans to explore more of the island’s western and southern areas and try more local dishes.

Throughout the program, HIMC overseas communication officers LIAKHOVA ALBINA from Russia and Jimmy from France served as cultural guides.

ALBINA noted that while Hainan's ongoing development has made it challenging to preserve many historical homes in their original state, the island’s growth continues, hand in hand with the preservation of these historical sites.

Jimmy led the group to explore lesser-known destinations and joined Li and Miao villagers in Wuzhishan, participating in bamboo dancing and traditional music, enriching the cultural experience with greater depth and vibrancy.

From the Nanyang memories of Haikou’s Qilou Historical & Cultural Quarter to the daily life of Lingshui’s floating Tanka communities and the revived customs of the Li villages in Wuzhishan, this century-long dialogue helped these young creators understand Hainan, turning them from mere observers into engaged participants.

Cleo expressed a deep curiosity about the transformations across the island. She found all changes over the past century fascinating, whether seen in local culture, architecture, or natural landscapes.

The six international creators, collectively boasting over 10 million followers, will soon launch a series of short videos across Chinese and global social media platforms. From an international Gen Z perspective, they aim to showcase a multifaceted, genuine portrayal of the open, inclusive, and vibrant Hainan FTP to audiences worldwide.

“See ya again, Hainan!”