On February 4, to mark the arrival of Lichun 立春(the Start of Spring), a special exhibition opened at the Hainan Provincial Museum, in collaboration with the Tianjin and Hunan Museums.

By showcasing a diverse range of artifacts alongside Hainan’s unique history and folk traditions, the exhibition encapsulates the Chinese traditional philosophy of living in harmony with nature, as embodied in the 24 Solar Terms.

The opening ceremony featured traditional music and dance performances.

The opening ceremony featured traditional music and dance performances.

Born from the heart of traditional Chinese agricultural society, the 24 Solar Terms synchronize human labor with the Earth's rhythms. Celebrated today as China’s "Fifth Great Invention", the term system represents a combination of astronomy, meteorology, agriculture, and the art of human well-being. This traditional system has guided the daily lives of generation after generation.

The exhibition brings together 189 unique artifacts, weaving a narrative that follows the yearly dance of the 24 Solar Terms. Beyond the physical artifacts, the exhibition unfolds into immersive digital landscapes where relics are brought to life through sight and sound, complemented by a variety of interactive installations and hands-on cultural encounters.

A glimpse of the cultural relics on display.

A glimpse of the cultural relics on display.

A glimpse of the cultural relics on display.

A staff member brings the exhibit to life through engaging storytelling.

A hands-on coconut carving activity.

A traditional Qiong (Hainan) Opera performance.

For many visitors, the experience offered a new, fun way to learn about traditional Chinese culture. "I’ve never expected a traditional theme to feel so trendy and engaging," said one younger attendee. Meanwhile, older visitors found solace in the passing down of this wisdom, remarking: "When our ancestral heritage is shared through contemporary storytelling, it naturally captures the hearts of the younger generation. This is how it should be.”

The solar term exhibition, the first exhibition held following the start of independent customs operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port, will remain open to the public free of charge until May 31, 2026.