From: Haikou Release

Today (September 2nd), a featured article "Come and See the Artistic Charm of Our Village (Art Transforms Rural Areas)" highlights how Quanyongdong Village in Haikou, Hainan has implemented multiple measures to integrate cultural elements into daily life, transforming not only the village's appearance but also the lives of its residents.

In Quanyongdong Village, Lingshan Town, Meilan District, Haikou City, Hainan Province, weathered volcanic stone walls tell stories of centuries past on one side, while colorful graffiti radiates youthful vitality on the other. On old house walls, newly painted peony murals stand out vibrantly. Homeowner Wang Zhaochun greets visitors with a smile as tourists raise their phones to capture memories with their children. Ancient and modern, tranquil and vibrant, coexist harmoniously here. The vitality of art flows through this land.

The image shows artists creating wall murals in the "898 Arts Village." Photo by Sun Shijie.

A few years ago, the village looked completely different. In late 2019, Wang Kai, who works in advertising and media, was invited by painter Wang Bin to visit Quanyongdong Village on the outskirts of Haikou. "The village isn't far from the city center and is filled with pastoral scenery," they discussed together. "Why couldn't we turn it into an arts village?" They rented residential buildings and invited young artist Zhao Zhifei to create the wall mural "Squirrel Eating Corn," which became the village's signature attraction. The adorable squirrel in the mural attracted many tourists who came specifically to take photos. "Cars filled the village entrance, and people had to queue to take photos with the 'squirrel,'" recalled Sheng Yu, a local palm-weaving craftsman.

Children playing happily in the 898 Arts Village. Photo by reporter Kang Denglin.

Named after Hainan's area code "0898," this place became known as "898 Arts Village." The village's sudden popularity left Wang Kai both excited and anxious: "How do we handle this sudden influx of visitors? How can we transform from an internet sensation into lasting success?" He realized that murals alone weren't enough – the arts village needed more artists.

To address this, Wang Kai and his team actively promoted the village and invited a group of artists and craftspeople to settle there. Chen Yixin, an 89-year-old calligrapher, teaches visitors about the stories behind Chinese characters at the village academy. Xu Dalian, a Wenchang grey sculpture artist, uses materials like shell powder, glutinous rice, and brown sugar to create lifelike auspicious birds and beasts on walls. Artist Chen Caiying demonstrates traditional Miao embroidery techniques. Many art studios were established, injecting innovative vitality and cultural atmosphere into the village.

However, challenges such as limited studio income and high operating costs once threatened the arts village's sustainability. By the end of 2022, as Quanyongdong Village vigorously developed its cultural industry, the arts village welcomed new opportunities. In 2023, the arts village was included in provincial and municipal cultural industry development projects. In 2024, Lingshan Town continued promoting beautiful rural construction, exploring "898 Arts Village" tourism routes and promotional work. The arts village was recognized as a three-coconut-level rural tourism destination in Hainan Province.

The Chufeng Wood and Stone Museum, the Provincial Performing Arts Group's Stage Design Center, and other new cultural venues have arrived, injecting new developmental vitality into the arts village.

In Quanyongdong Village, art has integrated into daily life. The village hosts long-table banquets, inviting tourists to share three-color rice and bamboo pole dancing. Artists have formed volunteer service teams and offer public art classes. Villagers have spontaneously organized choral groups and evening galas.

The village feast at Haikou Meilan District's 898 Arts Village is lively and extraordinary. Photo by reporter Kang Denglin.

The arrival of art has changed not only the village's appearance but also the lives of its residents. Zhang Hua, former principal of the village primary school, operates a courier station in his house after retirement, providing convenience for neighbors and artists. The village has built creative centers for literary and artistic workers in Qiong and research-practice education bases for primary and secondary school students in Haikou, creating an increasingly rich cultural atmosphere.

When discussing the arts village's future, Wang Kai becomes unstoppable: "We want to build the arts village into an open platform, allowing art to truly enter ordinary people's homes and letting this ancient village tell more moving new stories!"

Source: Haikou Release Reporter: Sun Haitian Editor: Wang Ping

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