Hainan Trip—Exploring Meilang Ancient Village

Meiting Meilang Sister Pagodas Chengmai · Hainan
On our trip to Hainan, we experienced the sunset at Coconut Dream Corridor, where the golden afterglow bathed the sea, the evening breeze gently brushed the coconut groves, swaying the returning sails and the romance bestowed by the island. We also visited Meilang Village in Chengmai, immersing ourselves in the charm of this ancient Southern Song Dynasty village.

Volcanic rock is widely distributed in the northern part of Hainan Island. Meilang Village, located in Chengmai County, Hainan Province, is an ancient village with a history of over 800 years, dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty. This village was once known as Mailang Village or Meilang Village. Meilang Village is a typical village in the volcanic region of northern Hainan.

Stepping into Meilang Village, almost all the buildings are constructed with volcanic rock. Stone paved roads, stone walls, stone houses, stone gates and jars, stone troughs and basins, all blend seamlessly with the volcanic rock terrain, creating a unique cultural landscape. Most of the ancient dwellings in the village feature courtyard-style layouts, with exterior walls built from volcanic rock and interiors made of wooden frames with inserted beams or a mixed structure. The melon columns (a type of architectural component) are often shaped like flower baskets or precious bottles, carved with auspicious patterns such as carp, magpies, peaches of longevity, and plum blossoms. Some wooden frames can even be traced back to the Qing Dynasty, but judging from the architectural style, these buildings were likely crafted by the same group of artisans.

Meilang Village has completely preserved the appearance of a volcanic village. The houses are connected by village roads, distributed in clusters, and remain largely intact. The village boasts a rich historical heritage, with numerous historical sites such as stone pagodas, temples, ancestral halls, ancient roads, stone tablets, and inscriptions. Among them, two are listed as national key cultural relics protection units: the Lingzhao Tomb and the Meilang Twin Pagodas.

Walking into Meilang Village is like traveling back to the Southern Song Dynasty, experiencing the weight of history and the inheritance of culture. Every historical site and every building tells the story of this village's more than 800 years of history.

Meilang Village is about 25 km from Chengmai County. It is recommended to hire a car or drive there yourself. Navigate to Meiting Meilang Sister Pagodas. The scenic area is free to visit.

Post by Mitchell_100 Harper | Mar 14, 2025