On a quest to seek serenity and the sea in Pingtan, a cafe that serves a fresh brew of coffee mingled with a dash of salty sea breeze has taken Chinese social media, Xiaohongshu by storm. At the edge of Tannan Bay, a dreamy "Monet's Garden" has captured many's hearts.

Visitors enjoy the ambiance at Napping by the Sea café in Tannan Bay.

Cafe curator Gao Peiwen (aka Wenwen) from Wuhan reflects on 5 years of her life on the island as a blend of bitter and sweet mixed emotions. "We are steadily gravitating towards the life we yearn, finding the focal point of our aspirations and the compass guiding us towards our dreams," she muses.

Transforming a Seaside Dream into Reality

Inside Napping by the Sea, one is enveloped by a lush oasis that seems to have stepped out of Monet's vibrant canvas. The café is nestled amidst the azure waves and verdant surroundings, a secret garden teeming with life.

The café's courtyard is embraced by greenery.

Surrounded by lush greenery, the café's courtyard is a testament to nature's intimate gift. A meandering path leads to a vibrant summer scene filled with the sounds of cicadas and birds. Many visitors, like Ms. Xue from Hangzhou, enjoy their coffee under the shade of trees while admiring the sea view. "I saw this café on Xiaohongshu, and everyone said it was beautiful. After visiting, I found it truly impressive," she says.

Located beside the enchanting Tannan Bay beach, the café makes extensive use of natural wood and earthy tones. The courtyard features flower beds, white seating, and pavilions, each detail reflecting the host's dedication and sentiment. The white exterior walls of the cabana contrast with the blue sky, and the intermittent sea views create a harmonious blend of nature and modernity. Netizens have dubbed it the "Monet's Secret Garden facing the sea" and the "Café of Southern France."

Visitors take photos in the atmospheric environment.

"I love the tranquil atmosphere and the feeling of being embraced by the vast verdure and sea. When I saw this location, I fell in love with it at first sight," Wenwen says.

The transformation unfolded gradually. Countless days and nights were dedicated to the planning and execution of her vision, inching closer to the realization of her dream. "Every piece of wood here was nailed and pieced together with our hands. Amidst the renovation chaos, there came a moment of sheer exhaustion when we found solace in the serene ambiance. For a brief moment, lying down on the wooden floor and gazing up at the azure sky against the backdrop of lush greenery, we experienced a sense of tranquility that inspired the café's name – Napping by the Sea. It embodies a serene space where you can unwind to the point of drifting off into a peaceful slumber," Wen explains.

Currently, Wenwen is enthusiastic about sharing her experiences of living in her "dream house" with netizens online. She writes, "I am fortunate to have arrived at this hidden dream house, where I have made a home for small animals. The vast azure sea, tall trees, swaying shadows, sleeping kittens, and a cup of refreshing iced latte—everything is so slow, and just slow enough..."

Enjoying the Poetic and Distant Leisure

Wenwen's connection with Pingtan began five years ago when she was a freelance blogger looking for a beautiful city to start a nomadic life. She was drawn to Pingtan by a "volunteer" recruitment post on Douban, a Chinese social networking platform.

"I originally planned to sell a few cups of coffee and a few guestrooms daily to cover living expenses and to create some content online in Pingtan," Wenwen says. Pingtan is a place far from the hustle and bustle, conducive to quiet creation, so she decided to give it a try.

After arriving in Pingtan, Wenwen quickly adapted to the island's pace of life and integrated into the local community. She transitioned from being a tourist to a "new islander," slowly taking root in the fertile soil of the island.

Gradually, she met a group of young people with the same dreams, most of whom were homestay operators. Their shared ideals closely connected this group of young people, forming a vibrant community. "It was a beautiful time, and we built a warm haven together," Wenwen says.

With a vision for the future and a love for life, Wenwen and other entrepreneurs integrated Pingtan's natural beauty and cultural charm to create more unique homestays and cafés. She also leveraged her knowledge of social media to promote the beauty of Pingtan. Her business is gradually on the right track.

During her sojourn in Pingtan, Wenwen serendipitously crossed paths with her soulmate, kindling a love as sweet as the island breeze. It turned out that the recruitment post that attracted her to Pingtan was posted by her current boyfriend. This accidental fate took root and grew with daily interaction. This unexpected union mirrored the winds of Pingtan - gentle yet invigorating - infusing Wenwen with boundless strength and unwavering support.

"I hope these cafes with different styles by the sea can cater to the needs of more tourists," Wenwen says. With the joint efforts of Wenwen and her boyfriend, the second store of "Napping by the Sea," located in Shanbian Village, also opened this Spring Festival.

Since its opening, the second store of Napping by the Sea has quickly attracted many fans with its unique style, becoming a new celebrity café in Pingtan. "The locale is very good, especially during high tide when the sea stretches endlessly before you," Wenwen adds, noting the burgeoning community of loyal patrons who frequent the café, beckoning others to partake in its allure.

Savoring the Crests and Troughs of Entrepreneurship

As the café business flourished, Wenwen found herself navigating uncharted waters in the realm of entrepreneurial pursuits. Yet, akin to the undulating waves that caress Pingtan's shores, her journey was fraught with challenges and triumphs, a melange of flavors that seasoned her path with resilience and unwavering determination.

Originally, the second store of Napping by the Sea was an inn transformed from a seaside beach warehouse. In the past few years, due to the impact of the epidemic, other shareholders chose to withdraw one after another, but Wenwen and her boyfriend remained optimistic about the development prospects in Pingtan and chose to persevere, transforming the inn with the best view into an internet celebrity café.

"Operating independently does give us more autonomy, but at the same time, the pressure is just as real. Without partners, it means we need to bear more investment and entrepreneurial risks, and it also means that we need to gatekeep every decision ourselves, without any mistakes," Wenwen says.

Napping by the Sea's second store adopts the warm, comfortable, and romantic style of the first store, exuding a soft palette of mocha hues. The most eye-catching feature is the large area of glass windows used inside the store, which not only maximizes the use of natural light but also introduces the magnificent sea view outside the window into the café space. "Combining visual aesthetics with spatial function we want to create a warm coffee room that young people like," Wenwen added.

Amidst the arduous journey of upgrading the café, Wenwen's health faltered. "Despite feeling under the weather, I refused to give up." Wen recalled sharing renovation progress of the cafe on her Xiaohongshu social media account. With sheer determination, the café officially opened its doors on the auspicious first day of the New Year.

"I remember clearly, we had a steady stream of customers on our first day of business when more people started pouring in after 2 p.m. On the first day of business, the café's turnover reached five thousand yuan, far exceeding expectations.  Wenwen says, noting that as the café became more and more popular, it also attracted some influencers along the way. Slowly, the cafe's name started to soar.

In the vibrant rhythm of Pingtan, a rising tide of spirited youth breathes fresh life into this island. Their narratives weave a tapestry of ambition and resilience. Each wave of inspiration beckoned forth a legion of dream chasers to embrace the boundless promise of this resplendent land.