Pingtan Island is back! If you regret it, try to persuade others not to go

⚠️ **Off-season Truths (Let's be realistic first)** 1. **Intense heat and sun exposure**: Daytime feels like 35℃+, with very strong UV rays. Avoid outdoor activities from 11:00 to 15:00. 2. **Typhoon risk**: July to September is typhoon season, which may cause flight cancellations or attraction closures (check the weather before traveling!). 3. **Very rare Blue Tears**: Probability in summer is less than 5%, don’t get your hopes up! 4. **Some facilities closed**: Restaurants in remote villages on the northern route may be closed. --- 🌟 **Exclusive Off-season Advantages (Great value if you know how to enjoy)** ✅ **Fewer crowds, private experience**: Take photos freely at popular spots, no traffic jams on the island road for self-driving. ✅ **Accommodation price drop**: Sea view homestays are 50% cheaper than peak season, around 150 RMB per person for a room with floor-to-ceiling windows. ✅ **Fresh seafood freedom after fishing season opens**: After fishing opens in August, buy crabs and mantis shrimp directly at Liushui Town Pier (20 RMB per jin), processing fee 10 RMB. --- 🏝️ **Itinerary Planning (3 days 2 nights summer cooling version)** **Day 1: Northern Route Wind Chasing** - Morning: **Northern Ecological Corridor** (F2 Viewing Platform → Glass Walkway) → **Windmill Forest Road** - Afternoon: **Changjiang’ao Beach** (go clam digging or catch small crabs at low tide) → **Tanshui Village** (take photos on the popular swing) - Evening: **Heping Village** (navigate to "Heping Village Public Toilet" to see the S-shaped coastal road + sunset) **Day 2: Southern Route Sand Play and Cave Exploration** - Morning: **Houyan Island** (68 nautical miles landmark, arrive before 8 AM to cool off) → **Tannan Bay Whale Joy Blue Tears** (order a coffee and relax on the sofa bed) - Afternoon: **Yuehai Bay** (quiet and clean wild beach) → **Elephant Trunk Bay** (best drone shots, check tides!) - Night: **Backup Blue Tears Spot** (low probability but follow the "Enjoy Pingtan" WeChat official account for forecasts) **Day 3: In-depth Cultural Experience** - **Mojing Village** (clam digging base, rent tools for 5 RMB) → **Beigang Village** (stone house cultural and creative shops with singing stones) - **Island Vegetable Market** (buy dried fish and seaweed specialties) → **Haitan Ancient City** (just pass by for photos, very commercialized) --- 🏠 **Accommodation and Transportation Guide** - **Accommodation**: - For sunrise chasing → stay at **Changjiang’ao** (but fewer dining options); - For convenience → stay in the **county town (Xihang Road)**, more takeout choices; - For quality → choose a **designer homestay near the northern corridor** (e.g., Yuejilan Cuo). - **Transportation**: - Rent an electric scooter (60 RMB/day) > charter a car (300 RMB/day) > self-driving (some small roads are narrow). - Warning: Rental shops may provide old battery scooters, test the battery range before setting off! --- 🦞 **Food Recommendations and Warnings** - **✅ Must-try**: - **Shisamei Salty Rice Porridge** (lucky breakfast, local favorite) - **Maoji Seafood Claypot Porridge** (main store! Shrimp and crab porridge 30 RMB/person) - **Lao Chaofeng Boiled Fish** (with pork intestines + seafood, spicy and satisfying) - **❌ Avoid**: Seafood stalls near attractions (especially Longwangtou), snacks inside Haitan Ancient City. --- 💡 **Off-season Survival Tips** 1. **Sun protection down to your fingertips**: Hat + arm sleeves + sun-protective clothing + sunglasses, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. 2. **Flexible itinerary**: If a typhoon hits, immediately switch to **Fuzhou Sanfang Qixiang** (35 minutes by high-speed train). 3. **Stay relaxed**: Accept the slightly yellow seawater (due to summer algae bloom), enjoy the peace and quiet with fewer people! > **Ultimate tip**: Bring mosquito repellent (many midges by the sea), Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid (to prevent heatstroke), and a waterproof phone pouch (essential for clam digging)!