In Baicha Village of Dongfang City, China's southernmost province of Hainan, a special "toy" has been popular among young girls from the Li ethnic group for generations. It comes from a succulent called the air plant; the "lanterns" hanging from its stems are often collected by girls for amusement. These "lanterns" are actually the flowers of the air plant. When the girls pop the tip of the flowers on their hands, the air from the flowers is squeezed out, making a small clap sound. This plant is native to Madagascar, but now has been naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas. It is often used as a herb in traditional Chinese medicine.

About 'Go! Hainan' series:

Featuring unspoiled tropical rainforests, sandy beaches and a rich culture, Hainan Province is the southernmost island province of China. Nicknamed "China's Hawaii," Hainan is on its way to becoming a free trade port. The "Go! Hainan" livestream series takes you on a new journey to explore the fantastic island and its underwater world.

(Photography by CGTN's Chen Chen, cover designed by CGTN's Yu Peng)

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