On March 1st, the second day of the second lunar month—known as Dragon Head-Raising Day—a time symbolizing prosperity and renewal, the 2025 Sanya Folk Dragon King Worship Ritual in the Year of the Snake was grandly held at Daxiao Dongtian Scenic Area. More than ten thousand locals and visitors gathered to witness this solemn and time-honored folk tradition, offering prayers for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, national prosperity, and social harmony. Liu Geng, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Sanya Municipal People’s Congress and Director of the “Chinese Traditional Culture in Yazhou” Organizing Committee, attended the event and officially declared it open.
In his opening speech, Fan Mu, Secretary of the Yazhou District CPC Committee, emphasized Yazhou’s rich historical and cultural heritage and noted that in 2023, the Sanya Folk Dragon King Worship Ritual was officially recognized as a municipal-level intangible cultural heritage in the folk customs category. The ceremony reflects the people’s heartfelt prayers for abundant harvests, thriving fisheries, and smooth sailing in the coming year. He expressed hopes that the event would further develop Yazhou’s distinctive cultural identity, foster the integration of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) with modern life, and infuse this ancient tradition with renewed vitality.
Wang Feng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of Sanya Tourism & Culture Development Group Co., Ltd., highlighted that since Daxiao Dongtian Scenic Area began offering free admission, it has actively pursued a “Tourism+” development strategy, integrating South China Sea Dragon King culture with Taoist philosophy and longevity culture. The scenic area has developed several iconic attractions, including Dragon King Courtyard, Ao Mountain Golden Peak, Dominating Ao Peak, Daxiao Dongtian, and Sword-Testing Peak. Looking ahead, the scenic area will leverage its unique resources to elevate the Sanya Folk Dragon King Worship Ritual into a signature cultural tourism brand, further merging traditional folk culture with modern tourism while enhancing Sanya’s cultural appeal and contributing to the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
A Grand Dragon Dance and Prayers for Peace
At 9:00 AM, the Dragon King Worship Ceremony officially began. Amid a solemn and reverent atmosphere, the procession, dressed in traditional ceremonial attire and carrying sacred ritual vessels, set out toward the South China Sea Dragon King Courtyard, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of ceremonial drums and music. Along the way, vibrant dragon and lion dance performances captivated onlookers, drawing crowds of locals and tourists.
Upon arrival at the Dragon King Courtyard, the official ritual commenced. The master of ceremonies recited the sacrificial text, paying homage to the Dragon King and offering prayers for favorable weather, a prosperous agricultural season, and national peace. Following this, the ritual attendants led the worshippers in formal bows and offerings, invoking the Dragon King’s blessings for the year ahead.
After the sacred rites, the scenic area introduced a special symbolic event, the “Climbing Ao Mountain and Standing on Ao Peak” adventure challenge. Over 300 mountaineering enthusiasts participated, scaling the legendary Ao Mountain while taking in breathtaking views of the vast South China Sea. Many climbers expressed that reaching the summit was not only physically invigorating but also spiritually uplifting, as they felt deeply connected to nature and tradition, celebrating this cultural festival in an unforgettable way.
A Celebration of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Local Traditions
Beyond the Dragon King Worship Ritual, the Sanya Folk Dragon King Worship Ritual Intangible Cultural Heritage Week featured a diverse array of cultural activities, showcasing Hainan’s unique maritime culture and folk traditions. At the South China Sea Dragon King Temple Fair, visitors could enjoy performances of traditional intangible cultural heritage arts, including Li ethnic primitive pottery making, Li ethnic wood-chopping dance, Li ethnic traditional dyeing, weaving, and embroidery techniques, Yazhou folk songs, and Miao ethnic “Dragon-Summoning Dance,” providing an immersive cultural experience.
Additionally, the temple fair featured a specialty food zone, where visitors could savor authentic Hainanese delicacies, enhancing the festive atmosphere. A cultural and creative market showcased exclusive Dragon King Worship-themed cultural products, merging ancient dragon mythology with contemporary artistic design. Visitors could purchase unique souvenirs while exploring the enduring appeal of Dragon King folklore.
On Dragon Head-Raising Day, many attendees also participated in the traditional “Dragon Head Shaving” ritual, a time-honored blessing practice symbolizing renewal, health, and prosperity. The scene was filled with joy and celebration, as people embraced their cultural roots and welcomed good fortune for the year ahead.
Cultural Tourism Integration and Future Development
The Sanya Folk Dragon King Worship Ceremony is a distinctive folk tradition of Hainan, recognized as a municipal-level intangible cultural heritage. This year’s event aimed to deepen the preservation and promotion of local folk traditions, strengthen public cultural identity and pride, and advance the integration of cultural heritage and tourism. By attracting visitors to experience Hainan’s rich cultural landscape, the event also contributed to the local economy, fostering the revitalization of traditional customs.
As the main venue, the Daxiao Dongtian Scenic Area successfully fused ancient folk traditions with modern tourism, establishing the “Sanya Folk Dragon King Worship Ritual” intangible cultural heritage (ICH) brand and enriching Sanya’s tourism industry with new cultural dimensions.
Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future for Cultural Tourism
This event was organized under the guidance of the China Folklore Society, Hainan Intangible Cultural Heritage Association, “Chinese Traditional Culture in Yazhou” Organizing Committee, Sanya Municipal Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports, and the Yazhou District People’s Government of Sanya. It was hosted by Sanya Tourism & Culture Development Group Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Sanya Daxiao Dongtian Development Co., Ltd. and the Sanya Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center, with support from the Hainan Yazhou Culture Research Association, Sanya Think Tank (Preparatory Committee), and Hainan Nanshan Academy.
With joint efforts from all sectors, the Sanya Folk Dragon King Worship Ritual is set to flourish further, becoming a hallmark cultural tourism event that will enhance Sanya’s cultural influence and contribute to the long-term prosperity of its tourism and cultural economy.
(Correspondent: Li Huhu)
Media ContactCompany Name: Sanya Tourism and Culture Development Group Co., Ltd.Contact Person: LihuhuEmail: Send EmailCountry: ChinaWebsite: https://www.sanyapark.com/
