Pingtan, a coastal area in Fujian Province and the closest mainland location to Taiwan Island, serves as a key hub for cross-Straits integration. Since 2023, this strategic spot has been home to Nandao Dance Troupe, a Taiwan-based group led by members of the Amis ethnic community, which has used dance to deepen cultural connections between the two sides of the Straits. 

The troupe's bond with Pingtan began in the summer of 2019. Struck by the familiar climate and scenery that reminded them of Taiwan's Kenting in Kaohsiung, the dancers rented an artist space at Tannan Bay to start their residency. That season, coinciding with the peak of Pingtan's famous "blue tears" phenomenon—bioluminescent marine life that lights up coastal waters—they performed nearly 300 shows, quickly becoming a cultural symbol of the coastal area.

During their early residency, the troupe visited the Keqiutou archaeological site, where they learned Pingtan was one of the "first stepping stones" for the Austronesian-speaking peoples' maritime migration. Gazing at the pottery shards and stone tools left by ancient ancestors, the dancers felt a deep connection, realizing their Amis roots were closely tied to Pingtan's land. This discovery fueled their passion for cultural heritage and cross-Straits exchange.

In 2024, the troupe settled at an ecological education base in Pingtan's Jinjing Area, where members built the Austronesian Cultural Village with their own hands. They cleared weeds, erected archways and observation decks, constructed a bonfire platform, painted traditional Amis patterns, and even planted quinoa—a crop beloved by the Amis people.

This August, the village hosted a cross-Straits harvest festival. On stage, traditional Amis dances blended with Pingtan's local Ciming Opera; off stage, nearly 170 residents from both Pingtan and Taiwan gathered to share food and joy, with the troupe once again serving as a bridge between the two sides.

Today, the troupe has taken root further by registering Pingtan Nandao Dance Cross-Straits Cultural Development Co., Ltd. in Shanglou Village, creating a permanent platform for cross-Straits cultural exchanges. In their free time, members often walk along Pingtan's beaches, savoring the sea breeze that feels just like home in Taiwan.

"'Miluge' means 'going home' in the Amis language," said Chen Dewei, a member of the troupe. "Before, I thought the road home was separated by the Straits. But since settling in Pingtan, I've realized 'Miluge' isn't just a direction—it's a solid sense of belonging in my heart."