Pingtan, an island off the coast of Fujian province and the closest point on the mainland to Taiwan, is a comprehensive pilot zone for cross-Straits integration and a key area for international trade and logistics. It is also China's second international tourism island, after Hainan.
Bird's-eye view of Pingtan Keqiutou Archaeological Site Park (File photo)
This dynamic island recently garnered national attention with the inclusion of Pingtan Keqiutou Archaeological Site Park in the fifth batch of National Archaeological Site Parks. This achievement makes it the sole park from Fujian Province to receive this prestigious designation in the current selection.
National Archaeological Site Parks are public spaces centered around significant archaeological sites and their surrounding environments. They serve multiple functions, including scientific research, education, and recreation, and are intended to be national models for archaeological preservation and exhibition. The inclusion of Pingtan Keqiutou Archaeological Site Park signifies a new era for prehistoric civilization research and cultural tourism integration along the Fujian coast. It also establishes a national-level platform for exploring the "oceanic civilization code" related to the origin and spread of the Austronesian peoples.
The Keqiutou Site Museum in Pingtan showcases the extensive shell mound remains excavated from the Keqiutou archaeological site.
The Keqiutou site cluster is one of the earliest Neolithic shell mound sites discovered along China's southeastern coast and the earliest Neolithic site found to date in Fujian. Crucially, it is a key site for studying the origin and dispersal of the Austronesian peoples. Since its discovery in 1958, the site has undergone multiple archaeological excavations, unearthing numerous artifacts and remains of significant academic value. The site was also recognized as one of the "2023 National Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries".
Since 2017, Pingtan has invested 669 million yuan towards establishing the Pingtan Keqiutou Archaeological Site Park as a National Archaeological Site Park. These funds have supported 12 projects, including site conservation, exhibition facilities, and tourism/research infrastructure upgrades. In 2019, the Pingtan Keqiutou Archaeological Site Park was named one of the first archaeological site parks in Fujian Province. Building on this momentum, Pingtan initiated the compilation and revision of the "Fujian Pingtan Keqiutou Site Cluster Protection Plan" and the "Keqiutou Archaeological Site Park Plan".
Keqiutou Site Museum in Pingtan
According to the latest planning and design, the park will cover a total area of 93.79 hectares with a total investment reaching 1.5 billion yuan. It is envisioned to include functional zones such as a core protection (exhibition) area, site environment area, archaeological display area, cultural experience area, management service area, and a reserved area. The aim is to create a comprehensive cultural space that integrates protection, research, exhibition, education, and leisure. Key projects already completed include the Pingtan International Research Center for Austronesian Archaeology and the Keqiutou Site Museum. The Keqiutou Site Museum, a 250 million yuan investment, officially opened in December 2024, showcasing the extensive history and culture of Austronesian origins and migration.
Li Xiaozhe, an official from Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone's Tourism and Culture Bureau, stated, "Pingtan will continuously improve distinctive offerings such as research tourism and cultivate Austronesian culture and Maritime Silk Road-themed guesthouses". He added, "Our goal is to create a demonstration project for cultural heritage protection and utilization with international influence".
