Pingtan

Day Trips

As dawn breaks over Haitan Bay, stroll along the golden sand and feel the cool sea breeze brush against your skin. Fishermen haul in their nets full of fresh prawns and scallops, offering an authentic glimpse of island life. The rising sun paints the water in hues of pink and orange, setting a serene tone for the day ahead.

Hop on a rented bicycle and follow the coastal road, weaving through clusters of wind-sculpted rocks and sea stacks. Pause to photograph the rugged shoreline and explore tide pools teeming with starfish and hermit crabs. Then relax on a shaded bench while sipping a cold coconut drink and listening to the gentle lapping of waves.

Return to shore and feast on a seafood banquet at a rustic beachfront shack, sampling grilled lobster, steamed clams, and fried squid. Order a local rice wine and toast to the day’s adventures as the lanterns sway overhead. End the evening with a leisurely walk, letting the moonlight shimmer across the bay.

Begin at the base of Beiluo Mountain, inhaling the scent of morning dew mingled with pine needles. Hike the stone path that winds upward through ancient cypress groves and discover hidden shrine alcoves nestled in the rock face. Reach the summit just as the sun peeks over the horizon, rewarding you with panoramic views of Pingtan’s patchwork of fields and sea.

Descend to the mountain’s eastern slope and join a guided herbal tour, learning about medicinal plants used by local healers for centuries. Sample freshly brewed wild tea served in hand-carved wooden cups as you absorb stories of mountain folklore. Wander through terraced fields where farmers cultivate yams and sorghum, and chat with locals about their sustainable practices.

Find a cozy hillside restaurant tucked into the trees, where steaming bowls of mountain vegetable soup await. Delight in the subtle spice of freshly foraged mushrooms and the crunch of pickled bamboo shoots. As dusk settles, savor the serenade of cicadas and distant church bells echoing across the valley.

Catch the early ferry to Liu’ao Island, watching seagulls wheel overhead and sea spray dot your cheeks. Disembark onto the coral-strewn shore and follow a narrow path through tamarisk trees to a hidden inlet. Let the morning sun warm your shoulders as you wade into crystalline water to explore an undersea world of colorful fish and coral gardens.

Relax on the windswept beaches of Liu’ao, where the wind farm turbines hum in the distance like ghostly sentinels. Try your hand at windsurfing or kiteboarding in the steady sea breeze that gave the island its name. When hunger strikes, sample freshly caught fish grilled over open flames at a clifftop café.

As twilight falls, climb the lighthouse for a bird’s-eye view of the glowing coastline. Return to the ferry terminal area and join a bonfire supper on the beach, roasting sweet potatoes over the embers. Share stories with fellow travelers under a canopy of stars, the roar of distant waves as your soundtrack.

Arrive at Tanshui Bay and wander along the ancient salt pans etched into the shoreline. Watch as local salt farmers rake crystalline deposits by hand, their rhythmic movements mirrored in the shallow water. Photograph the glistening fields stretching toward the horizon like a mirror to the sky.

Sample unique salt-infused snacks at a nearby stall—think salted caramel drinks and crispy seaweed fries. Explore the bay’s winding mangrove channels by kayak, scanning for hermit crabs and mudskippers darting amid the aerial roots. Glide beneath low-hanging branches and feel a sense of secluded tranquility.

Head to a rustic wooden pier for a sunset seafood barbecue, where prawns and scallops are skewered and basted in tangy marinade. Light strings of paper lanterns along the walkway, casting a warm glow over the gentle effervescence of the tide. End the evening with a moonlit paddleboard session, floating above the bay’s silvery reflections.

Step off the bus into the heart of Shuitou village, where colorful fishing boats bob in a snug harbor. Take a guided tour through narrow lanes lined with weathered coral-stone houses, each bearing carvings that tell tales of the sea. Visit the local fish market, inhaling the briny aroma and watching vendors haggle over the morning catch.

Join a friendly fishing family on their wooden sampan as they set nets beneath a blazing sun. Learn the art of net casting and haul in croakers and mackerel, feeling the tug of life beneath the waves. Afterward, help prepare your catch at their kitchen table, slicing fish into sashimi and steaming fillets with ginger and scallion.

Slide into a makeshift eel barbecue along the waterfront, where smoky flames dance beneath bamboo racks. Sip chilled rice wine as you nibble on eel skewers and crunchy sea snails. When darkness falls, delve into local ghost-spirit stories by lantern light, imagining the voices of fishermen long passed.

Drive out to Shiyou Heyuan, the reclaimed oil field turned coastal park, where rusted derricks stand sentinel against the sea. Wander through the sprawling landscape of concrete platforms and abandoned pipes, transformed into an open-air art installation. Let the salty breeze carry the echoes of industrial hum, forging an unlikely harmony between past and present.

Visit the nearby art studios where local sculptors repurpose oil drums into whimsical seaside sculptures. Participate in a hands-on workshop, hammering and welding to craft your own miniature drilling rig. Recharge with a lunch of spicy clam soup and stir-fried greens at a cantilevered café overlooking the tide pools.

As the sun dips beyond the horizon, the derricks cast long silhouettes across the sands. Gather around a makeshift stage for a live drum performance, the rhythms resonating across the empty platforms. End the night with a solitary stroll along the oil-slick gleam of wet shoreline, illuminated by distant buoys.

Arrive at the entrance of Jingyuan Tunnel, a sweeping underground passage carved through granite cliffs. Step inside and feel the temperature drop as natural light fades to a soft phosphorescent glow. Walk along the polished walls, admiring historical murals depicting early seafarers and local deities.

Hop aboard a small electric tram that guides you through the tunnel’s intricate branches, each leading to a hidden cove. Disembark to explore secret beaches where the sea laps gently against smooth rock ledges. Unwrap a picnic of rice cakes and tropical fruit while listening to water droplets echoing in the passageways.

Return to the tunnel mouth and ascend to a cliff-top pavilion, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of the setting sun painting the ocean gold. Savor a glass of chilled plum wine as the sky deepens to indigo. Let the distant hum of ferry horns signal the close of another magical day.

Step into Dongzai Port as fishing boats unload mountains of shrimp and silverfish onto sunlit docks. Join a local guide to discover hidden street art depicting maritime legends and pirate lore. Feel the pulse of village life as old men play Chinese chess under banyan trees and children chase crabs in shallow pools.

Take a ferry across a narrow channel to view Pingtan’s famed oyster farms, rows of floating rafts laden with mollusks. Don waders and help shuck your own oysters straight from the sea, tasting the briny freshness of the morning tide. Return for a beachfront barbecue featuring your harvested catch, served with locally grown lotus roots.

As dusk falls, join a communal lantern release on the broad, sandy harbor. Write wishes on delicate paper balloons and watch them ascend, twinkling like fireflies against the twilight. Close the night with a seaside bonfire, the crackle of burning driftwood harmonizing with gentle waves.

Wake early and cycle along the path encircling Houhai Lake, breathing in the aroma of saltwater marsh mingled with wildflowers. Spot flocks of migratory birds grazing on tidal flats, their silhouettes mirrored in the glassy water. Stop at a lakeside pavilion to sample jasmine tea and rice crackers while gazing across the mirror-like expanse.

Rent a pedal boat to glide over the shallow lake, steering beneath arched wooden bridges and past willow-draped bank. Investigate ancient clam shells embedded in muddy banks, evidence of the lake’s evolving shoreline. Enjoy a lakeside picnic featuring steamed buns filled with fresh vegetables from nearby farms.

Return to shore as the sun sets, painting the sky in streaks of lavender and coral. Savor a dinner of braised fish caught that morning, cooked in fermented soy and chili oil. End the day with a guided night walk through the surrounding reed fields, listening to the hushed chorus of frogs and crickets.

Venture into a nearby traditional village famed for its coral-stone architecture and red-tiled roofs. Join an elder in her courtyard to learn the art of bamboo weaving, creating trays and baskets as she recounts generational tales. Smell the fragrance of incense drifting from a small ancestral hall as matriarchs prepare midday offerings.

Participate in a hands-on cooking class, chopping fresh herbs and rolling dumplings under the guidance of a local grandmother. Share a long wooden table with villagers as you feast on pork buns, scallion pancakes, and sweet taro desserts. After lunch, explore hidden alleys lined with hand-carved doorways, capturing the interplay of light and shadow.

Gather in the central square for a traditional dance performance accompanied by bamboo flutes and percussion. Learn simple steps alongside villagers, forming a spontaneous circle that bridges language and culture. Conclude your Pingtan journey with a communal fire drum ceremony beneath the stars, feeling the heartbeat of the island resonate in every drumbeat.