Haikou's Qilou Old Street is not only a witness to history but also a sediment of culture. Here, every brick and tile, every building and pavilion, seems to tell a story.
Find an art gallery to immerse yourself in the artistic atmosphere, visit an exhibition hall to appreciate artifacts with Hainan characteristics... Nowadays, on this century-old street, history meets art, creating a unique spark.
The art and cultural industry is booming
On November 19th, strolling through Qilou Old Street in a drizzle, the streets are lined with storied arcade buildings and old shop signs, as if transporting one back to the early 20th century when merchants gathered, feeling the charm of history and culture. One can also encounter many artistic galleries, art museums, and exhibition halls here.
Passing through the bustling alleys filled with the fragrance of delicious food, one enters the Yiguo Art Space, where an 18-meter-tall tropical rainforest-themed grey sculpture wall is quite spectacular, attracting many citizens and tourists to stop and watch. Going further, there are tropical rainforest-themed Qilou corridor installations with tree ferns as the main element, and "sky garden" art installations... The design of these architectural spaces cleverly integrates natural and cultural heritage elements, making the entire art space full of vitality and energy.
"In the past, art felt so high and distant, and I never imagined that art exhibitions would be held in such a small alley full of the aroma of life, allowing more people to get close to it," said citizen Wu Feiran, quietly appreciating the paintings on the wall. She feels that Qilou Old Street now not only has a strong historical foundation but also an increasingly rich artistic atmosphere, reminding people the warmth of the city and life.
It is reported that since the Yiguo Art Exhibition started in October this year, it has welcomed more than 500 visitors every day. "Qilou Old Street, as a cultural landmark of Haikou, carries rich historical and cultural values. Our original intention is to inject new vitality and artistic atmosphere into this old street," said Fu Chuanxi, the manager of Yiguo Art Space. This place is not only a platform for artistic creation and display but also a diversified space that integrates art exhibitions, IP cultural creation, local aesthetic education, and public art planning. It is hoped that this will build a bridge for communication and exchange between Haikou citizens, tourists, and outstanding artists, helping to enhance the city's cultural taste and international influence.
Nowadays, various art and cultural industries are thriving in Qilou Old Street, bringing people a new experience different from the past, and also adding vitality and energy to this century-old street. In the Lixiang Wood Carving Art Museum, every piece of work is imbued with ingenuity, showcasing the beauty of art. "Seeing this century-old street gather many craftsmen like us really makes me happy from the bottom of my heart," said Huang Lixiang, a representative inheritor of Hainan Province's Intangible Cultural Heritage project, wood carving art protection unit.
Cultural and Tourism Activities Attracting the Public
A variety of cultural and creative booths and specialty food stalls are abundant, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere under the accompaniment of jazz music... Not long ago, the Qilou Old Street series of events—"Sunset Glow, Jazzing Up with You," hosted by the Longhua District Tourism and Culture Bureau, brought a joyful cultural feast to citizens and tourists through a combination of jazz music and a slightly tipsy market, also injecting new vitality into the development of urban culture.
"Listening to music while 'shopping at the market' is so atmospheric," said tourist Yin Xuesha. Qilou Old Street, besides its characteristic Southeast Asian architecture, also has a rich artistic atmosphere that left a deep impression on her. "Here, there is also a normalized living and leisure space for residents. Various art activities blend perfectly with people's lives. True art should originate from life and not lose its worldly charm."
"By introducing jazz music as a new form of art, we hope that visitors will experience the charm of the collision between Qilou's history and culture," said the person in charge of the Longhua District Tourism and Culture Bureau. They will continue to delve into and inherit historical and cultural resources while actively introducing modern elements to create more culturally distinctive activities, providing citizens and tourists with richer cultural experiences and spiritual enjoyment.
How to further polish the cultural brand of Qilou Old Street? In Huang Lixiang's view, in addition to strengthening the protection and inheritance of historical culture, it is also necessary to promote the integrated development of culture, tourism, and commerce to enhance the added value of the art and cultural industry, so as to not only attract visitors but also aid development. "This requires the efforts of multiple parties. Relevant authorities are expected to continuously innovate and create more cultural and tourism branding activities with Qilou Old Street characteristics, promoting cultural and art consumption; art practitioners should also focus on creating excellent works, continuously telling the stories of Qilou and Haikou."
Source:TheHaikouGuide
