Haitan No.1, an inter-city cruise ship in Pingtan, set sail on its maiden voyage on May 6 with 166 tourists on board from Pingtan to Putian city. Pingtan Island has been designated as the second international tourism island in China.

Chill with the frolicking seabirds, watch the waves crashing on the stern, or marvel at the vast ocean on the deck. Inside, passengers indulged in entertainment programs such as treasure hunts, musical performances, a selection of F&B offerings, and shopping.

Briefing on the sightseeing route

Route length: 50 nautical miles

Single-trip span: 4 hours

Departure from Aoqian Ro-Ro Passenger Terminal, Pingtan

The terminal is a fast channel for the direct cross-Straits voyage to the island of Taiwan.

Tannan Bay Scenic Area, Pingtan

Tannan Bay is a national scenic spot, reputed as the “Platinum Coast.”

Mount General, Pingtan

Mount General features staggered and bizarre rocks. The silhouette of the towering monument that commemorates the aero-amphibious military exercise of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in 1996 could be seen faintly from the ship.

Caoyu Islet, Pingtan

Caoyu Island, known as the “Pearl of Pingtan,” is named after the islet’s rich vegetation and high forest coverage.

Zhusheng Pagoda, Fuqing City

Built in 1119, the pagoda has been listed as a heritage site for protection. The well-known Chinese architecture historian Liang Sicheng once painted the pagoda based on the photos taken by the German Gustav Ecke.

Haitan Morpheus, Pingtan

Haitan Morpheus is one of the double wonderous stones. Seen from a distance, the Morpheus’s head rests on the beach and his feet stretch out into the South China Sea.

Nanri Island, Putian City

Nanri Island boasts four signatures, i.e., China’s well-known trademark “Nanri Abalone,” a national sea fishing base, a national demonstration base for aquafarming, and the largest offshore wind farm in the country.

Destination: Meizhou Island, Putian City

Meizhou Island is known for being the birthplace of the goddess Mazu. Annually, some 100,000 pilgrims from Taiwan come to Meizhou to see the place where Mazu once lived, some of whom visit every year, honored as a “fable abode of immortals” in South China.

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