In the southernmost province of China, Hainan, some people live on boats all year round. However, these boats, unlike real boats, don't float on water but remain on land -- they are the famous boat-shaped houses of the Li ethnic minority group.

The boat-shaped homes, also called boat-shaped thatched cottages are the traditional residential dwellings of the Li people in Hainan Province. Although the decoration and modification of the houses may be very different, their general shape is always like that of an inverted boat. Entering the traditional stockaded village of the Li ethnic minority , one can see boat-shaped houses with bamboo eaves and thatched roofs everywhere. Fences are woven with coconut, bamboo and mango leaves and roofs are made of thatches, coconut and sunflower leaves.

According to legend, long ago, an emperor's daughter, Qingqing, fell in love with Honghong, a palace cleaner. The emperor was furious about the mismatched love affair and tried his best to separate them. Failing to do so, the emperor drove the lovers out of the palace and ordered his bodyguards to put Qingqing and Honghong on a small, wooden boat. The boat ended up at Hainan Island where the lovers, enchanted by the beautiful scenery, decided to stay. Qingqing later gave birth to the ancestors of the Li nationality. Since the couple had arrived by boat, their descendants retained the tradition of living in boat-shaped houses made of branches and thatches.

The crude materials needed for the boat-shaped houses were readily available. The houses provide shelter from rain and wind, and protect its inhabitants from wild animals. The structure and shape of the houses can withstand the powerful sun, typhoons and storms. They embody the wisdom and special architectural culture of the Hainan locals.