Bronze statue and twin pagodas reveal Hainan’s hidden cultural depth

Hainan Province in southern China is known for its coconut palms and coastal scenery. But beneath that familiar image lies a deep-rooted cultural heritage found at Dongpo Academy in Danzhou and embodied in the ancient stone pagodas of Meilang Village in Chengmai. These two small cultural landmarks, separated by centuries, offer a glimpse into the depth of Hainan’s cultural heritage.

Su Dongpo, a renowned writer from China’s Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), lived in Danzhou for three years. The Zaijiu Hall, where he promoted education and cultural activities during his time there, later became known as Dongpo Academy.

A bronze statue of Su Dongpo wearing a bamboo hat and wooden clogs was designed by Professor Li Hanyi of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and unveiled in 1985. Its design is based on a story from Dongpo’s time in Hainan: caught in the rain while visiting a friend, he borrowed a farmer’s bamboo hat and wooden clogs to make his way home. This seemingly casual attire reflects his close connection with the local people.

At Meilang Village in Chengmai County, the twin simple stone pagodas standing side by side are among the village’s most distinctive landmarks. The pagodas were built with funding donated by a local scholar-official, Chen Daoxu, in memory of his beloved daughters, Lingzhao and Shanchang.

The older sister pagoda is hexagonal, while the younger sister pagoda is square. Both were built from locally sourced volcanic basalt. They’ve stood for more than 800 years and now receive national-level protection.

The details of these ancient buildings are really worth taking a closer look at.