Hainan Trip—Fenjiezhou Island Part 9

Fenjiezhou Island Ocean Theater (Fenjiezhou Island Scenic Area) Lingshui, Hainan Watch the dolphin and sea lion show at the Fenjiezhou Island Ocean Theater. The ticket price for the Ocean Theater is CNY 130/person. There are three showtimes at the Ocean Theater: 11:00, 13:30, and 15:30. The Ocean Theater felt like a large fish raft, with sea lions, dolphins, sea turtles, large ocean fish, and giant groupers. The main attraction is the dolphin and sea lion show. We arrived early, and while waiting for the show to start, we walked through the colorful coral exhibition area and visited the Sea-Salvaged Porcelain exhibition. "Sea-salvaged porcelain" (or sea porcelain) refers to ancient Chinese ceramics scattered on the seabed due to shipwrecks along the Maritime Silk Road. These ceramics were later salvaged by fishermen and became popular collectibles among the public, forming a distinct category in Chinese ceramic studies. Sea porcelain is mainly found in the Xisha Islands of the Sansha City in Hainan, as well as along the Maritime Silk Road trade routes, including the Strait of Malacca and various locations in Asia, Africa, and Europe. These ceramics primarily date back to the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, with occasional pieces from the Han and Tang dynasties. They include celadon, white porcelain, qingbai porcelain, blue and white porcelain, and brown-glazed porcelain, serving as material evidence for studying China's maritime trade. Originating from the seabed, sea porcelain largely retains the artistic style of its manufacturing era, with minimal human intervention, showcasing the authenticity of the original ceramics. The long-term exposure to seawater, mud, and sand has eroded the glaze and body, resulting in a subdued glaze and a seamless integration of glaze and body. This process gives sea porcelain its unique historical and cultural texture. While not comparable to official kiln porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties, its provenance from shipwrecks imbues it with distinct historical traces, reflecting significant cultural and historical value. Since the late 20th century, sea porcelain has frequently appeared in international art auctions, with prices steadily rising, capturing the attention of collectors in major ceramic-producing countries and becoming a focal point for collectors.