Hainan has many different minority groups, each with their own unique culture, history, and traditions. This is due to successive waves of migration of different groups from mainland China during different historical periods. The Li people were the first to arrive, and their distinctive boat shaped thatched mud houses can still be seen in many of Hainan’s small villages. The Miao people brought some amazing cuisine, like the beautiful and tasty three color rice, and many of the Dan people still live on their boats and depend on fishing for their livelihoods. The Hui, who live mainly in the Sanya area, are traditionally Muslim, and have built several beautifully designed mosques there. The Chinese majority Han people live here too, making Hainan one of the most diverse and culturally unique parts of China, and the world. Local languages abound, although most Hainanese under the age of 70 can speak Mandarin in addition to their own language. If not, smiles always work just as well!