For domestic tourists, duty-free shopping has long been a popular part of a Hainan itinerary.

　　Li Tian, a tourist from central China"s Henan Province, purchased perfumes and cosmetics during her visit.

　　"Duty-free shopping is a must-do for me every time I visit Hainan. The prices are attractive, and the wide range of products meets my one-stop shopping needs," she said.

　　But the island"s appeal goes well beyond its glossy shopping malls. Across Hainan, old streets, traditional neighborhoods and fishing ports offer visitors a chance to slow down and experience a different side of the island -- one rooted in local history and everyday life.

　　At Qilou Old Street in Haikou, the provincial capital, century-old arcade buildings line the historic streets, where tourists wander through narrow lanes, sample local snacks and soak up the atmosphere.

　　A local tea house on the street was packed with guests during the National Day holiday. "I came here to experience the local way of life. It"s bustling and has a very authentic feel," said a tourist surnamed Xu from east China"s Zhejiang Province.

　　At Xincun Port in Lingshui Li Autonomous County, hundreds of Tanka fish rafts are lined up across the blue waters, forming a unique "village on the sea." Shuttle boats ferry tourists back and forth, offering them a close-up look at the traditional culture and way of life of the Tanka people.

　　The Tanka people, or boat dwellers, are those who have traditionally lived on sampans and made their living by fishing in coastal waters. Over generations, they have developed a distinctive culture.

　　"I have never seen such a large cluster of fish rafts before, and I"ve never had a meal on one either. Today"s experience is truly unique," said Gao Chen, a tourist from Beijing who enjoyed a seafood meal on a floating raft for the first time.