Pingtan, a coastal island off Fujian Province and the Chinese mainland's closest point to the island of Taiwan, is rolling out its second Island Chorus Festival—a major cultural event blending the region's coastal charm with vocal art. As China's second international tourism island after Hainan, Pingtan also serves as a key pilot zone for cross-Straits integration, making the festival a showcase of its cultural and scenic appeal.

Scheduled to run from August 27 to 31, 2025, the festival is organized by the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone Culture and Tourism Development Group Co., Ltd. It aims to gather top musical teams from home and abroad to highlight a cappella—pure vocal music without instrumental accompaniment—against Pingtan's unique island backdrop.

"We want to combine Pingtan's stunning coastal scenery with the beauty of unaccompanied vocal music, creating a high-level, immersive musical experience for both participants and audiences," said a spokesperson for the organizing group.

Over 40 teams are expected to join, representing diverse groups: professional a cappella ensembles, university groups, traditional unaccompanied choirs, senior choirs, children's vocal teams, and emerging a cappella groups. This diversity ensures a wide range of performances catering to different tastes.

The festival's highlight lies in three outdoor coastal concerts that merge music with Pingtan's landscapes. These include "A Cappella on the Go," where musicians perform on island-circling buses for a mobile, scenic experience; "A Cappella in the Town," featuring multi-location shows at Pingtan's Taiwan-themed Town to blend music with local culture; and the "Bin Qilin Wonderful Night" Sunset Lawn Fireworks Concert at Pingtan's Zhuyu Bay Film and Television Base, which pairs vocal performances with sunset views and fireworks.

Two theater-style concerts will also take place: the "A Thousand Voices Sing A Cappella" choral concert on the evening of August 28, and the "Another Sea" A Cappella Exchange Concert on August 29. Additionally, the "Bin Qilin A Cappella Music Competition" will be held to discover new talent, while three types of free masterclasses led by music experts will help enthusiasts improve their singing and performance skills.

Members of the public can reserve tickets for the three key events—the August 28 "A Thousand Voices" concert, the August 29 "Another Sea" concert, and the August 30 "Bin Qilin Wonderful Night" fireworks concert—by following the official WeChat account "Island Chorus Festival."

"The public's participation is key to making this festival lively and inclusive," the organizing group spokesperson added. "We hope both locals and tourists will take this chance to enjoy great music while exploring Pingtan's beauty."