Whilst not officially recognized as a minority group, the Dan nonetheless have a very distinct and interesting culture.

The Dan are fishermen, and their communities are dotted along the coast of the island, which are easily spotted as they are built entirely on water. In the past many Dan lived their whole lives on boats and floating houses, never setting foot on land.

There are communities of the Dan all over Southern China and the one near Sanya is one of the larger ones.

In the Sanya area, they often operate restaurants in their boats and houses, with customers ferried over from the shore.