Huang Xiaoxi pictured basking in tranquil verdure

Three years ago, driven by a deep love for the beautiful coastal city of Pingtan, Quanzhou native Huang Xiaoxi chose this island as his new home. Here, he opened a unique coffee shop, dove into the world of surfing, and captured the essence of Pingtan through short videos he shared online, drawing frenzied patrons to his cafés.

Currently, Huang is actively preparing to launch his third café - Sense Of, a surf-and-slurp in Pingtan, a perfect fusion of his life and hobbies in Pingtan, marking another milestone in his career path and dream in this coastal paradise.

"Because Pingtan is the lucky land where I started my business," Huang said with a smile, reflecting on his decision to settle in this city surrounded by the sea.

The Flowing Forest nestled in the lush greenery of Dongzhan Village

Visitors at the Flowing Forest enjoying the scenery through the viewing window

Visitors taking photos inside the shop

The second cafe, known as the "Flowing Forest," is nestled in the lush greenery of Dongzhan Village. With its pure white walls and log furnishings, the shop offers a tranquil and clean atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy the picturesque view of the dense casuarina trees through the large viewing windows, capturing beautiful moments at any time.

Zhang Yunlei, a tourist from Zhejiang, visited the shop with her friends after stumbling on videos of the cafe online. "We immediately decided to come here after seeing the distinctive coffee shop on the video platform," she said. "Nowadays, we focus more on discovering stores with a soul rather than just rushing to scenic spots."

Unlike the first store, which attracted large crowds, the second cafe has adopted a more niche approach. Huang described it as a "small fairytale house in a faraway land isolated from the rest of the world," akin to his "dream house." The focus is less on drawing popular crowds and more on a cherished spot for like-minded individuals.

Huang Xiaoxi conquering the waves

Huang's love for surfing is not only reflected in his skills but also his knowledge and advocacy for the surfing culture. "After coming to Pingtan, I fell in love with surfing," he said. "Surfing is a kind of reverence for the power of nature and also an exploration of one's own limits."

On the beach, Huang listens to the rhythmic waves, feels the melody of the sea breeze, and witnesses the sun's warm glow on the sea's surface, embodying the beauty and strength of nature. "Through my dedication and enthusiasm, I aim to share the allure of surfing with more people," he expressed. "This is not just a hobby; I've truly immersed myself in Pingtan to embrace its spirit."

Visitors attracting attention at Flowing Forest

The Sense Of - Flowing Forest Store, located in Dongzhan Village, has just been in business for a year and has achieved pleasing results. It has attracted massive tourists and utilized the idle resources of Dongzhan Village, driving the economy of the village.

"Before, the village's annual income was only more than 300,000 yuan, but since the opening of Sense Of - Flowing Forest Store, the village's annual income has tripled, and created more job opportunities for the village, which helps revitalize Dongzhan Village," said Song Chi, the first secretary of Dongzhan Village. This has also given them confidence in the upcoming third store and the future of the village.

During his days in Pingtan, Huang has accomplished his entrepreneurial dream, picked up a new passion, and found a new home. "This year, I also brought my mother to live here, and she gets along very well with the local villagers. Although she can't understand the Pingtan dialect, she can get along with rich body language," he said.

As night descended, Huang warmly bid us farewell, concluding the interview with a heartfelt declaration, "I love Pingtan and anticipate riding more 'waves' of success here in this idyllic coastal paradise."