How Boao’s Coffee Shops Were Built Around a Forum

When the Boao Forum for Asia launched its first annual meeting in 2001, almost no one outside Hainan had heard of the tiny fishing village. But over ten years, the international gathering transformed the town into a regional hub — and a surprising number of people found their life’s work not in policy or finance, but in serving coffee with a side of local history.

At least four iconic Boao cafés opened in the forum’s wake, each built around a personal vision: a restored 100-year-old house, a seaside shack made of shipwrecks, and spaces celebrating everything from dance to dumplings. Their founders didn’t just sell drinks — they turned Boao into a stage for culture.

The Town That the Forum Built

Before the Asia Forum, Boao was just another quiet coastal settlement in Hainan. By 2010, it had become synonymous with high-level regional dialogue. That shift didn’t just put Boao on the map — it attracted entrepreneurs who saw opportunity in storytelling, not just tourism. Coffee shops became one of the most visible ways to tell Boao’s new story.

Dancing Director Builds a Cultural Café

Wang Min, a 36-year-old professional choreographer born in Qionghai, left his career in performance to open “The Old House” lifestyle café in 2009. He partnered with a friend whose dilapidated property became his canvas. The two cleared over ten truckloads of garbage from the site alone. Wang then invested nearly 1 million RMB to transform the space, using reclaimed materials like old stone mortars, boatwood furniture, and even vintage sewing machines. An additional 80,000 RMB went into building a tiny rooftop garden with just three seats. Inside, the café is filled with cultural artifacts — not corporate logos. Wang still lives in a small local hotel and rides a bicycle daily, exploring nearby villages to collect traditional snacks like chicken dung vine rice cakes and Job’s tears cakes, as well as old household items. “I want to preserve Boao’s maritime and folk culture,” he says. “No matter what happens to this place, I’ve been here — and I’ve witnessed Boao’s transformation.”

A Ship Captain’s Seaside Story

Just steps from the sea, “Sea Story” café was co-founded in 2010 by Jiang Xiang, a former hotel manager from a nearby fishing village, and a well-known media host. Jiang, who returned to Boao in 2008 after managing a four-star hotel, was struck by childhood memories of the ocean. Alongside “Captain” Wang Zilong, he built an 800-square-meter space entirely themed around maritime life. They scoured nearly every fishing port in Hainan, collecting around 40 old wooden boats — some donated by fishermen who supported the project. Tables and chairs were crafted from reclaimed ship planks, while decorations included seashells, fishing lanterns, and nets. The café’s centerpiece is a large boat placed in the center of the dining hall. Employees adopt nautical titles: Wang is the captain, others are sailors, bosuns, and chefs. “It’s a place to listen to the sea, smell the salt, and slow down,” says Wang. The café quickly gained fame, becoming a hotspot for couples taking wedding photos and a hub for local music artists. Jiang and his team spent over two years preparing before launching just as the 2010 Boao Forum opened.

Other Voices in the Café Scene

Beyond “The Old House” and “Sea Story,” other cafés and bars in Boao have sprung up with their own takes on local identity. Each offers a different lens on the town’s evolution, from folk traditions to maritime heritage. These spaces have helped shape Boao’s reputation not just as a conference destination, but as a cultural stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Boao Forum for Asia?

The Boao Forum for Asia is an annual high-level regional summit, similar to Davos, focused on economic and policy issues across Asia. Its first meeting was held in Boao, Hainan, in 2001, and it has since become a major international event hosted in the town.

Who is Wang Min and what did he create in Boao?

Wang Min is a 36-year-old former dance director from Qionghai who opened “The Old House” lifestyle café in Boao in 2009. He invested nearly 1 million RMB to renovate a derelict property using reclaimed materials and created a cultural space that showcases Boao’s maritime and folk heritage.

What is special about “Sea Story” café in Boao?

“Sea Story” is a seaside café built using around 40 reclaimed fishing boats and decorated with nautical elements like shells, lanterns, and nets. Co-founded in 2010 by Jiang Xiang and a media personality, it employs a crew-themed staff structure and has become a popular spot for weddings and live music.

How did the Boao Forum change the town’s economy?

The arrival of the Boao Forum turned the once-obscure fishing village into a recognized international hub, attracting entrepreneurs and creatives who built businesses, including cafés, around the town’s emerging cultural identity.

Why did these café owners choose Boao?

Many were drawn by the town’s transformation after the forum, seeking to create businesses that reflected its new role as a cultural and conference destination, blending local heritage with modern hospitality.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Boao’s Café Culture

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for its bright citrus and floral notes — perfect for pairing with Boao’s coastal air. For something richer, their PWN Golden Mandheling brings heavy body and sweet spice, ideal alongside local snacks like Job’s tears cakes. Or explore Yirgacheffe for a juicy, berry-forward cup that matches the town’s creative spirit. All three showcase the kind of nuanced single origins that match Boao’s artisanal café scene. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.