Boats filled with books give kids reading repository

SANYA — As the first rays of sunlight touch the shores of Xidao Island, fishing boats sway gently in the sea breeze.

The island, home to a fishing village off the coast of Sanya in southern China's Hainan province, features three old fishing boats that no longer set out to sea. Moored along the coastline, they have been transformed into a "library on the sea" — floating bookstores that serve as a cultural hub, infusing new vitality into the island's community.

Here, visitors can read books and write postcards, embracing a slower pace of life.

"The idea came about by chance," said Qin Jiayi, founder of the boat library. After refurbishing the boats, her team initially struggled to find a suitable place for them. Meanwhile, a project aimed at transforming Xidao Island into a tourist attraction is also underway. With support from local authorities, the three boats finally have a home on the island.

In August 2017, the library opened to the public.

"The first visitors to come aboard were children from the village," Qin said. With a history spanning over 400 years, the fishing community of Xidao Island had never established a dedicated reading space for its youth. As a result, the boat library quickly became what Qin described as a "spiritual home" for local children.

Each of the three boats has a unique function. One is a free-access library, another hosts exhibitions and reading events, and the third showcases childhood-themed displays. Together, they form a gentle cultural presence that is woven into daily island life.

"Today, many travelers just rush from one attraction to another. We wanted this to be a place where people can slow down, sit with a book, or simply enjoy a quiet moment," Qin said.

The boat library has welcomed thousands of visitors and played an enduring role in the lives of local residents.

"Running a bookstore is rarely profitable," Qin said. "But it helps encourage more people to read, and that's why we've kept it going."

Beyond promoting literacy, the "library on the sea" has also become a platform for environmental awareness. Xidao Island, encircled by coral reefs, is often referred to as "Coral Island". Its natural resources are abundant yet fragile, including old village houses built from coral stones, now considered an irreplaceable cultural heritage.

"We began working with artists to inspire greater care for the ocean through creative expression," Qin said. In recent years, the project has sparked more community-driven initiatives that focus on harmony between humanity and nature.

The boat library's motto — "Read whichever page the wind blows open" — captures the spirit of the island life: free-flowing, thoughtful and deeply connected to the surrounding environment, Qin said.

In an era of booming tourism, the boat library anchored at the shore of Xidao Island offers a rare sense of stillness, like a lighthouse standing amid the tides of change. They not only enrich the local community but also encourage visitors to reflect on the value of reading, travel and ecological preservation, Qin added.

"The boat library is not meant to be loud or crowded," Qin said. "But it will always be here: quietly waiting, gently inspiring."

Xinhua