Benben and his camper van 

With the salty sea breeze on his face, Xing Jin, known by his nickname "Benben," suddenly realized his days of wandering were over. Pingtan, the beautiful island off China's southeastern coast, had everything he had been searching for: the boundless ocean, the freedom of the wind, and a profound sense of peace. Here, on this island, he decided to slow down and stay.

Benben, 36, hails from Heilongjiang and has worn many hats—a musician, an archer, and an avid traveler. Before the Chinese New Year, he embarked on a nationwide journey in a camper van, bringing only his cat, his double bass, and a few cherished belongings. After months on the road, traveling across China, he found his purpose in Pingtan. "I found the meaning of life here," he said. "Pingtan is where I truly belong."

A Journey in Search of the Soul

Benben grew up in Beijing and later studied double bass at the Florence Conservatory in Italy. For years, he felt lost, uncertain about the future. One day, he decided to redefine his life, to truly confront himself. He sold his house, closed his studio, andlet go of relationships he once deemed essential. He packed his second-hand camper van with personal items and set off alone.

His plan was to drive from Beijing, tracing China's coastline all the way south to Sanya in Hainan before looping back. "I wanted to experience a life less ordinary," he said. "And if, along the way, I found a place that resonated with my soul, a place where I could feel alive again—then that would be perfect."

But the journey was far from easy. On the very first day, disaster struck. At 4:30 a.m., just kilometers from his first planned stop, his van broke down. In the dim glow of the headlights, he lit a cigarette and sighed. "I guess this is the price of trial and error," he muttered. It was his first time driving a manual vehicle, and luck was not on his side. He rested his forehead against the steering wheel, staring into the darkness. The road ahead was empty, silent, except for his own heartbeat. He scrolled through his phone, looking for someone to call for help, but after hesitating, he gave up. Loneliness washed over him like a wave. In the distance, dawn crept in.

A Cat to Chase Away Loneliness

Loneliness became the hardest part of the trip. "When you travel alone, every emotion—whether sadness or solitude—feels magnified," Benben said. Without stable social connections or a familiar daily rhythm, he often felt like a drifting leaf, carried by the wind with no destination.

Benben and his companion Tiaotiao

To combat his isolation, he found an unexpected companion in Xiamen—a tiny orange kitten. "That's where I picked up Tiaotiao," he said, a rare grin spreading across his face. Tiaotiao's mother was a stray. Among a litter of kittens, only Tiaotiao was brave enough to hop into Benben's van. The little feline soon became his loyal travel partner, curling up on his lap to soak in the sunlight, leaping around the camper like an acrobat, or simply sitting by his side. "Without Tiaotiao, I don't think I would have made it this far," Benben admitted, gently stroking the cat's fur. 

The Winds of Pingtan Brought Him Home

As if guided by fate, Benben arrived in Pingtan this February. That day, he drove across the Pingtan Strait Rail-cum-Road Bridge, seabirds soaring above like spirits of the wind. A rush of salty air filled his lungs, bringing with it a feeling of exhilarating freedom. "I've always been an islander at heart," he said. "I followed the coastline all this way, and when I got here, every part of me knew—this is where I'm meant to be."

Longwangtou Ocean Park (File photo)

The first place he explored was Longwangtou Ocean Park. It was a stormy day. Towering waves crashed against the blackened rocks, and mist hung over the churning sea. Standing on the shore, battered by the fierce wind, Benben felt an overwhelming connection to the raw beauty around him. "I'm not afraid of the wind," he said. "My life has always been like a gust of wind—directionless, but full of energy. And here, the wind feels alive. It makes me feel at home."

Fishing harbor of Pingtan (File photo)

With an open heart and a curious mind, Benben dove into the island's wonders. He watched the sand shift under the breeze, sculpting tiny, intricate seashell formations. He cycled along Pingtan's breathtaking coastal drive, losing himself in the sight of wind turbines spinning endlessly against the vast ocean. At the Thirty-Six Feet Lake, he marveled at the mirror-like water reflecting the sky, feeling as if he had stepped into a scene from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

A Place That Sparks Creativity

More than just a beautiful landscape, Pingtan offered something even more precious—a sense of belonging.

Island Living Room (File photo)

He found his second home at Island Living Room, a creative space founded by saxophonist Qi Xitong from Harbin and his Pingtan-native wife, Chen Ming. They had returned from years of working in other cities to build a hub where artists and musicians could gather. With its stone walls, repurposed boat wood, and abalone shell bricks, the space was a love letter to Pingtan's maritime heritage.

Benben spent five days there, making connections with kindred spirits. "We had so many deep conversations about music," he recalled. "It felt like home." He and Qi Xitong bonded instantly, exchanging thoughts on life and art over endless cups of tea. "This place brings together fascinating people. We talk about creativity, about music… It's inspiring."

At first, Benben thought he would only stay in Pingtan for a short while. Now, every day feels like a fresh start. He captures and documents every vibrant moment, immersing himself in the rhythm of island life. "I have no plans to leave," he said with a knowing smile. "Pingtan is the final stop in my journey."

For a man who once drifted like the wind, it seems the wind has finally led him home.