Vehicles glide along the most stunning coastal loop.

Pingtan, located off the coast of Fujian Province and the closest place on the mainland to the island of Taiwan, is a comprehensive pilot zone focused on cross-Straits integration and a key area for international trade and logistics. It is also recognized as China's second international tourism island, following Hainan.

Recently, China Media Group's CCTV4 "Travel Around China" program visited Pingtan for the third time. The segment, themed "Most Beautiful Journey," highlighted Pingtan's transportation infrastructure and its integrated development with cultural tourism.

From the viewing platform of the Northern Ecological Corridor, let your gaze drift to the offshore wind farm dancing on the waves.

A glimpse into the life of a stone house family

Inside the craft workshop in Beigang Village, a vibrant array of indigo-dyed creations awaits.

In its initial feature in late 2023, titled "Chasing the Wind in Pingtan," the program explored Pingtan's ecological tourism resources. Cameras captured the unique allure of sites like the 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area, the Northern Ecological Corridor, Pingtan's traditional stone houses, and the Pingtan International Research Center for Austronesian Archaeology. The episode also showcased unique experiences such as kitesurfing, traditional indigo-dyed techniques, and island cycling, alongside Pingtan Shell Carving, a provincial intangible cultural heritage.

A subsequent food special, aired in 2024, delved into Pingtan's marine fishery culture. The crew joined local fishermen to catch mangrove crabs, with a particular focus on the local delicacy, golden crab glutinous rice. This traditional dish, blending flavors from both land and sea, served as a significant representation of Pingtan's culinary heritage, known for its unique cooking methods and historical roots.

Pingtan Strait Rail-cum-Road Bridge stands tall.

Visitors pause to snap memories along the Northern Ecological Corridor.

The fish farms of Zhongmen Village paint a picture-perfect postcard scene.

This year's feature invited travel blogger Zhu Jiayi and her friend Chen Xinru from Taiwan to embark on a "Friendship Journey." They explored the Northern Ecological Corridor and other sites, fulfilling a youthful promise across the Straits and experiencing the island's breezy charm. The program notably featured the majestic Pingtan Strait Rail-cum-Road Bridge, the world's first dual-purpose cross-sea bridge, alongside the development achievements of Zhongmen Village, vividly illustrating Pingtan's model of integrating "original homeland and modernity."

Over three years, the "Travel Around China" series of reports documented the phased achievements of Pingtan's international tourism island construction, presenting viewers with an island development model that blends tradition with modernity and balances ecological preservation with economic growth.