Windmills, blue tears, and island time: healing trip ideas for Pingtan, the "Maldives of Fujian"
1. Pre-trip essentials | Keywords for Pingtan 🗺📌
- International Tourist Island: The closest island to Taiwan, with 270 km of coastline and crystal-clear waters!
- Windmills and blue tears: The sunset at Changjiang’ao Windmill Farm and the fluorescent sea at Tannan Bay are incredibly romantic✨.
- Stone house villages: Beigang Cultural and Creative Village and Maotouqian are traditional Minnan stone houses transformed into popular photo spots.
- Seafood feast: Enjoy oyster omelets, crab porridge, and fish ball soup until you're full for just CNY 50 per person!
2. Best time to travel 🌞🌌
- April–June & September–October:
- Avoid the summer crowds, enjoy cool weather, and witness the blue tears (high probability of southerly winds!).
- July–August:
- Peak season for beaches, perfect for water activities but with possible typhoons🌀. Sun protection is essential!
- Winter: Windy and cold, but with fewer tourists, ideal for capturing stunning photos📸.
3. Transportation guide | Getting around the island 🚗🛵
1. How to get there:
- High-speed rail: To "Pingtan Station" (Fuzhou → Pingtan approx. 0.5 hrs), take a taxi or rent a car upon arrival.
- Self-drive: 1.5 hrs from Fuzhou, with stunning views of the cross-sea bridge (toll-free!).
2. Island transportation:
- Electric scooter: CNY 60–80/d, enjoy the sea breeze along the coastal road (range approx. 100 km).
- Car rental/chartered car: Recommended for 4+ people, easily explore the north and south lines (approx. CNY 300/d).
- Avoid: Buses are infrequent, and attractions are scattered. Rent an electric scooter if you're not driving!
4. Must-see attractions | Pingtan Quartet 🌊🌾
📍【North Line: Windmills and fairytale villages】
- Changjiang’ao Windmill Farm:
Giant windmills + golden beach at sunset, a cinematic experience🌅 (wear a white dress for stunning photos!).
- Beigang Cultural and Creative Village:
Stone houses transformed into art studios, enjoy a cup of "Singing Stone" coffee☕, and make your own shell wind chime🎐.
- Northern Ecological Corridor:
A glass walkway overlooking the windmills at sea, and an S-shaped road perfect for "Little Kenting" style photos!
📍【South Line: Blue tears and fine sandy beaches】
- Tannan Bay:
A hotspot for blue tears🌌, with soft, powdery sand, perfect for relaxing on a beach chair and watching the sea (the paid area is less crowded and cleaner).
- Houyan Island:
The "closest point to Taiwan on the mainland" with rugged rocks, a red lighthouse, and black reefs perfect for photos📸.
- Xiangbi Bay:
The beach resembles an elephant's trunk at low tide (best for drone photography), but check the tide schedule!
📍【East Line: Geological wonders and hidden gems】
- East China Sea Wonderland (Xianrenjing):
A natural sea-eroded cave, "Xianren Valley," with stunning waves crashing against the walls (the CNY 21 entrance fee is worth it!).
- Shipaiyang:
A giant reef in the sea, "Banyang Shifan," resembling a mysterious sailboat⛵ from afar (requires a boat trip).
📍【Hidden gems】
- Maotouqian:
An ancient mountaintop village overlooking the windmills at sea, with a campsite for overnight stays⛺.
- Heping Village:
Colorful stone houses + fishing port sunset, a local's hidden gem for healing.
5. Food map | Affordable seafood feast 🦀🍜
1. Local snacks:
- Shi Lai Yun Zhuan: Sweet potato skin filled with seafood, savory and juicy!
- Bazhen Fried Cake: Stir-fried sweet potato flour with seafood, a must-try for chewy food lovers!
- Tian Chang Di Jiu: Fried sweet dumplings with peanut and sesame filling, finger-licking good😋.
2. Seafood stalls:
- Hongxing Pingtan Seafood: A popular stall, try the salt and pepper mantis shrimp and clam soup!
- Longwangtou Beach Night Market: Opens in the evening, with grilled oysters for CNY 10/3, a true seafood feast!
3. Drinks and desserts:
- Oyster cake + ice rice: A classic street food combo, the glutinous rice and fruit in the ice rice are amazing!
6. Accommodation recommendations | Sleep to the sound of the waves 🏠🌊
- Beigang Village Stone House B&Bs:
"Singing Stone," "Old Captain," etc., wake up to ocean views and fall asleep to the sound of waves.
- Tannan Bay Luxury Tents:
Glamping, lie down and watch the stars and blue tears (reservations required).
- County town hotels:
Cost-effective (e.g., Accord Hotel), suitable for self-drive trips or late-night high-speed rail arrivals.
7. Tips to avoid pitfalls | Lessons learned ⚠💡
1. The mystery of blue tears:
- Peak season is April–August, follow the "Pingtan Blue Tears" official account for predictions, don't trust paid groups!
- Photography requires long exposure + tripod, phone users can rent cameras on-site (approx. CNY 50/time).
2. Weather is key:
- Avoid riding electric scooters on windy days, the coastal road is exposed and can be very windy!
- The sea is gray on cloudy days, sunny days are best for clear waters🌞.
3. Sun protection essentials:
- Hat + ice sleeves + high SPF sunscreen, the seaside sun is intense👒!
8. Unique experiences | Unlock local experiences 🎣🎨
- Digging for clams:
Go to Changjiang’ao or Mojing Village at low tide with a bucket and shovel, and harvest free seafood!
- Fishing on a fishing raft:
Rent a boat and cook your fresh catch (beginners can try "raft fishing").
- Cultural and creative crafts:
Try stone painting and shell necklace DIY in Beigang Village, and take home unique souvenirs🎁.
🌈 The romance of Pingtan lies in the horns of fishing boats returning at dawn, the evening strolls under the silhouettes of windmills, and the late-night whispers of the sea.