On August 21, the “Hainan Meets Palawan: Calling Filipino Content Creators to Experience Hainan Culture” tour arrived in Wanning. In a single day, the four Filipino content creators went from the century-old aroma of Xinglong Coffee Cultural Park to the blue waves of Riyue Bay—experiencing Hainan’s unique pulse of culture, sports, and tourism integration amid the memories of returned overseas Chinese and the vibrant energy of youth.

Xinglong Coffee, Homecoming Stories

In the morning, the content creators visited the C.P. Xinglong Coffee Cultural Park. In the coffee groves, they listened to guides recount how earlier generations of returned overseas Chinese put down roots in Xinglong, reclaimed the land, and began growing coffee. Along the roasting factory’s observation corridor, they watched through glass windows as green beans went through roasting and grinding, frequently raising their phones to capture the process.

The Xinglong Coffee Cultural Park integrates a modern processing plant, cultural exhibitions, and leisure sightseeing, with spots such as the cultural center, zodiac-themed café, Deer God Ancient Tree, and Coffee Treasure Fantasy Park scattered throughout. At the zodiac-themed specialty café, the content creators took part in hands-on practice and sensory DIY—from smelling and tasting to cupping exchanges—where a single coffee bean connected cultivation, processing, culture, and lifestyle experiences.

Filipino content creator Kevin Montillano was impressed by Xinglong coffee’s roasting techniques. “The Philippines has its own coffee culture, but Xinglong coffee places more emphasis on traditional flavor and a rich, mellow taste, with very careful heat control during roasting,” he said. He noted that while the two coffees have their own characteristics, they share a common emotional connection. “Coffee can serve as a great bridge for cultural exchange between China and the Philippines.”

Riyue Bay: First Wave, First Love

In the afternoon, the content creators arrived at Riyue Bay in Wanning, home to China’s national surfing training base. Under the coconut palms, colorful surfboards leaned against the clubs; on the beach, surfers wearing zinc sunscreen came and went in a steady stream. Known for its crystal-clear water and excellent wave conditions, the bay was once named one of the world’s top ten surfing destinations by a U.S. fashion magazine, and it is also where China’s national surfing training base is located.

Filipino content creator Roce Ordoñez changed into a wetsuit for her first-ever surfing experience. On the sand, the coach explained the prone position and take-off rhythm. In the shallow water, the coach steadied the board again and again, calling out instructions to encourage her to stand up. Once, twice, three times—finally, she successfully stood on the board and glided forward with the wave. As the sea breeze swept past her ears, she burst into laughter.

“My first time surfing felt amazing!” Back on shore, Roce Ordoñez’s hair was soaking wet, but she wore a radiant smile. She said the coaches in Wanning were both professional and attentive, quickly easing her nerves as a beginner. “Riyue Bay is truly beautiful, with clear water and a great vibe. I will definitely tell my Filipino followers through short videos that this place is not only beautiful but also incredibly fun.”

From the mellow aroma of Xinglong Coffee Cultural Park to the youthful waves in the sea breeze at Riyue Bay, the Filipino content creators’ day in Wanning allowed them to feel both the historical warmth of Hainan’s returned overseas Chinese culture and the vibrant energy of Hainan’s culture, sports, and tourism integration. Next, they will continue to Lingshui and Sanya, using short videos to tell audiences in the Philippines and ASEAN a real, multidimensional, and diverse story of Hainan.