Meeting Point: Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area Entrance.

Join an immersive Li pottery experience in Sanya and discover one of Hainan’s oldest living traditions.

You will begin your journey with a simple piece of clay. The instructor will show you how to roll it into long, even strips and use the traditional coiling method to slowly build your vessel from the bottom up. The clay must be just right: too dry and it cracks, too wet and it collapses. Each step requires patience, steady hands, and a feel for the material, making the process both meditative and rewarding.

Once the basic shape is formed, you will refine and smooth your piece using traditional tools such as wooden paddles, bamboo sticks, and seashells. These tools have been used by Li artisans for generations and help shape the pottery into its final form.

Next comes one of the most meaningful parts of the experience: carving your own patterns. Li pottery patterns often symbolise mountains, waves, rice grains, or ancestral blessings. Adding these motifs allows you to give your creation a unique identity and connect with the cultural symbolism behind the craft.

The workshop takes place in an atmospheric Li-style cultural space where you can relax, learn, and take beautiful photos.