Pingtan Island Travel Guide for First-Timers

Hey there! Want to know how to explore Pingtan Island, a hidden gem in Fujian? Here’s a super detailed guide for you—save it now! 🚗 Transportation Guide 1. High-Speed Rail: First, take the train to Fuzhou South Station, then transfer to Pingtan Station. The entire journey takes about 40 minutes, and the ticket price is around CNY 42. After exiting the station, you can take a taxi, rent a small electric bike, or drive yourself. Renting an electric bike costs about CNY 80 per day, offering great freedom. 2. Self-Driving: It takes about 1.5 hours from Fuzhou by car. Along the way, you can enjoy the stunning scenery of the cross-sea bridge, which is perfect for taking photos. 3. Ferry: Friends in Xiamen or Quanzhou can take a direct ferry to Pingtan. Watching the sunset at sea is incredibly romantic! 🌟 Must-Visit Attractions 1. Northern Bay Ecological Corridor: It features beautiful windmill fields and thrilling glass plank roads. The sunset here is picturesque, and the photos you take will look like movie posters. 2. Changjiangao Windmill Field: If you're lucky, you can see the dreamy blue tears at night from April to August. During the day, you can go beachcombing at low tide, dig for clams, and catch crabs, making it an excellent choice for family trips. 3. Monkey Rock Island (68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area): This is the closest point on the mainland to Taiwan. Take photos at the "Mainland China–Taiwan Island" landmark, and explore the various bizarre rocks—perfect for Instagram-worthy shots. 4. Hidden Gems: Heping Village has an S-shaped road leading to the sea, creating a Japanese manga-like atmosphere. Jingsha is a black rock beach similar to those in Iceland, perfect for taking dark and moody photos on cloudy days. 🍱 Pingtan Cuisine 1. Shi Lai Yun Zhuan (Pingtan Salty Rice Cake): The outer skin is chewy, and the filling is seafood and vegetables. It only costs CNY 5. 2. Eight-Treasure Fried Rice Cake: Made with sweet potato flour, shrimp, squid, and other ingredients, it has a chewy texture and a fresh, savory flavor that locals love. 3. Oyster Omelet: It’s loaded with ingredients, with so many oysters that they almost spill out. Dip it in sweet and spicy sauce for an amazing taste. 4. Seafood Porridge: We recommend going to Mao Ji Seafood Porridge, where you can get a bowl for an average of CNY 30. It’s so fresh that you’ll want to savor every last drop. 5. Food Streets: Pingtan Night Market (opposite the People's Stadium) opens at 9 PM, offering a lively atmosphere. Tanren Street is a gathering place for popular restaurants, where you can eat and take photos—it’s fantastic. 🏠 Accommodation Guide 1. Unique Homestays: Du Lü · Blue Tears Art Homestay is converted from a stone house. The rooftop terrace offers a direct view of the windmill fields, averaging CNY 300+ per person. Yue Ji Lan Cuo features a Wabi-Sabi design, with a century-old well in the courtyard, perfect for relaxation. 2. High-End Sea View: Wyndham Hotel and Haoxiang International Hotel both offer first-line sea views and infinity pools. If your budget allows, go for it! However, during the peak season (May to October), book at least 2 weeks in advance, as weekend prices will double! 📌 Tips & Hidden Gems 1. Blue Tears Forecast: Follow the "Pingtan Blue Tears" official account. The central and northern coasts (Changjiangao/Dongmei Village) have a higher probability of seeing blue tears. 2. Sun Protection: The UV radiation on Pingtan Island is extremely strong. Be sure to use physical sun protection and SPF 50+ sunscreen to avoid sunburn. 3. Things to Avoid: Xianrenjing Scenic Area is relatively small, and the ticket price is CNY 21. Taking photos on cloudy days is okay, but the overall value isn’t great. Tannan Bay is a bit too commercialized, so it’s best to get up early if you want to take photos on an empty beach. 4. Hidden Gems: Rent a Hanfu outfit and take photos in Beigang Village's stone houses for amazing shots. Or, go to Longwangtou Beach at 4 AM to watch the sunrise over the sea—it’s so beautiful that it will dominate your social media feed. Pingtan Island is truly beautiful. Without too much commercial hustle and bustle, it offers only windmills and waves. Take some time to experience it!