The beauty of Pingtan Island is a rhapsody unleashed by the Creator. Stretching along 408 kilometers of coastline, the basalt canyons of Xianrenjing (Fairy Well) appear to have been carved by a giant axe. At low tide, stepping into the 47-meter-deep well, waves crashing against the black reef stir up thousands of snowdrifts. The slanting morning light feels like stepping into the secret realms of Iceland. Sunsets at Changjiangao are a visual wonder: a 3,000-acre array of windmills is reflected on the mirror-like beach. When the tide recedes, pink-blue shells scatter like stardust. At night, "blue tears" sparkle with the waves, like diamonds scattered on deep blue silk. Even more remarkable is the preservation of the character of a pristine fishing island. The clifftop road of the northern ecological corridor connects the colorful stone houses of Baisheng Village. Fishermen's nets hanging out to dry tremble in the wind, and the salty sea breeze carries an untamed wildness.
For nine years, Pingtan has strived to balance development and conservation, anchored by an international style and youthful fashion. Smart tourism systems are already bearing fruit: Longwangtou Beach features real-time visitor flow monitoring, automatic flushing pools, and smart public toilets, significantly enhancing the visitor experience. The integration of culture and tourism is also a highlight: the Keqiutou Site Museum condenses 7,000 years of Austronesian civilization into an immersive exhibition; the "Planet Calling" Seaview Theater in Tannan Bay uses light and shadow to recreate the spectacle of the Blue Tears, bringing culture from the academic realm to the masses. However, over-commercialization is encroaching on some corners: the ancient architectural complex of Haitan Ancient City has been reduced to a cookie-cutter Yiwu small commodity market, and the throngs of people jostling for photo spots at the "Eye of the Strait" observation deck on Houyan Island often leave travelers feeling a sense of loss.
Pingtan's ambitions extend beyond being a popular online destination. Events such as the International Kiteboarding Festival and the F4 Racing Carnival ignite excitement along the coast. Sailing activities at Pier 22 allow visitors to transition from simply "watching the sea" to "playing in it," signaling its progress toward becoming a full-time vacation destination. However, shortcomings remain: the public transportation network is weak, and the infrequent island-wide bus service forces tourists to rely on expensive chartered vehicles. Some homestays advertised as "sea view rooms" are actually located in remote villages, making the bumpy dirt roads a heart-wrenching journey home late at night. By strengthening ecological protection (for example, limiting commercial development along the northern corridor) and cultivating its unique cultural heritage (for example, reviving the intangible cultural heritage of rattan shield exercises), this "island closest to Taiwan" can truly become the Hawaii of the East.
Pingtan is a gem sculpted by sea and wind—it boasts some of China's finest coastal scenery and stunning starry nights, yet it continues to vacillate between extensive development and sophisticated operations. If restrained craftsmanship replaces the short-sighted pursuit of traffic, it will surely shine as the brightest pearl of the Strait.