International visitors arriving in China's Hainan Province for the Sanya Asian Beach Games are also getting a closer look at the island's Li ethnic culture, with CGTN Sports Scene's Shen Xiang visiting Baoting to explore how those traditions are being shared beyond the competition.

In Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County, the Li people have preserved a way of life that dates back thousands of years. Believed to be descendants of the ancient Luoyue, a branch of the Baiyue tribes, they have long called the tropical island home.

Traditional Li houses, built by hand using natural materials, remain a visible part of that heritage. Although many residents now live in modern homes, these structures are still valued for their practicality – staying warm in winter and cool in summer – as well as their cultural significance.

Li culture is also expressed through music and dance, but its most distinctive tradition is the Li Brocade. Handwoven by local artisans, each piece is created from memory, with patterns that reflect personal stories and are passed down through generations.

Often described as a "text without words," the Li Brocade serves as a visual record of the community's history, with artisans weaving their own ideas and hopes into each design.

As Hainan continues to open up, cultural sites like the Binlanggu Li and Miao Cultural Heritage Park are seeing a rise in international visitors. Officials say tourist numbers have increased significantly, providing more opportunities to showcase local traditions to a global audience.

With the sixth edition of the Asian Beach Games now underway, the focus on sports is also helping highlight the island's cultural diversity, with Li heritage taking on a wider audience beyond Hainan Province.