Pingtan, China's fifth-largest island and a designated international tourism destination in Fujian Province, is renowned for its proximity to Taiwan Island and stunning natural landscapes. It is now gaining widespread attention as a rising hub for film and tourism, a surge in popularity driven by the hit spy drama The Silent Glory. The show's primary filming location, Longshanli Happy Town—a Taiwan-style film and television base—has become a must-visit for tourists.

As China's second international tourism island, Pingtan has leveraged its unique status to fuel the growth of its film industry, built on a combination of constructed film sets and natural scenic spots. Longshanli Happy Town, constructed in 2018, features a 1:1 replica of old streets and military dependents' villages from Taiwan, providing an authentic backdrop for Taiwan period dramas. Another key facility is the Zhuyu Bay Film and Television Base, renovated from a former shipyard in 2019. It boasts a 5,000-square-meter professional VP/XR virtual production studio with over 900 square meters of LED screens, which has attracted projects like the animation Guwei Nanting (named after Guangzhou's Xiaoguwei Street and Nanting Village) since its launch in May 2024. Beyond these constructed sets, Pingtan's natural beauty—including vast sea areas, winding coastlines, sandy beaches, reefs, the magical "blue tears" phenomenon, and ancient stone houses—has long served as a "natural film set," having been featured in works like the 1970s film Hai Xia and the 2017 reality show Where Are We Going, Dad? Season 5.

A major driver of Pingtan's role as a cross-Straits film exchange hub (and a highlight of its appeal as an international tourism island) is the IM Film Festival. Launched in 2020, the annual event has become a prominent platform for young filmmakers from both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Over five editions, it has collected a total of 12,705 film submissions. The 2025 festival received 2,578 entries from 399 universities worldwide, with submissions from Taiwan increasing by 42% year-on-year. It also covered all film-related universities in Taiwan, drawing over 3,000 young participants from Taiwan. "The IM Film Festival has been a game-changer for us," said a representative from Pingtan's film industry management department. "As China's second international tourism island, we're not just showcasing films; we're bringing young talents together, fostering a robust industry ecosystem, and elevating our appeal to global visitors."

This film industry boom has elevated Pingtan's profile as an international tourism island through innovative "film +" models. The Zhuyu Bay Film and Television Base has organized 34 film-related study activities, attracting over 10,000 students. For night - time entertainment, the island has launched "blue tears" viewing camps, camping sites, outdoor film screenings, and the Longshanli Rainbow Market. Opened in July 2025, the market combines art, modern vibes, and nostalgia, featuring retro Taiwan-style villages, Hong Kong-style tea restaurants, and Taiwan snack shops. It drew over 6,000 visitors on its opening day. Additionally, the "Haitan No.1" cruise offers a film-themed sunset cruise, welcoming over 120,000 tourists and generating more than 200 million online impressions for related topics.

To date, Pingtan has registered 457 film companies, hosted over 240 film and television crews, and supported nearly 150 film, TV drama, web series, and variety show projects, including The Island Keeper and Under the Skin 2. As China's second international tourism island, its unique blend of film resources, cross-Straits cultural charm, and global tourism appeal continues to attract both filmmakers and tourists alike.