Pingtan Island is a beautiful coastal destination in Fujian Province, China, known for its stunning ocean views, unique island culture, and warm, friendly locals. On the easternmost part of this island, near the entrance of the 68-Nautical-Mile Scenic Area (a popular spot for visitors), sits Richu—a cozy homestay right by the sea. It's just a short 300-meter walk from the scenic area's ticket office, making it a top choice for travelers looking to experience the island's charm.

Richu is well-appointed with 60 guest rooms in different styles to suit all travelers: comfortable king rooms with sea views, family suites for group trips, romantic seaside tents, and fun family-themed rooms for kids. Every room has large floor-to-ceiling windows that let you enjoy the entire sea view as if it were a painting. "You can watch the whole sunrise while lying in bed," said Nian Xiaoling, who started the homestay. The homestay features smart home devices, electric curtains, and high-quality toiletries, all on par with those in fancy hotels. But what makes Richu special is its warmth. "We're both a hotel and a homestay," Nian explained. "Homestays need rules, but more importantly, they need personal care." The staff here offers thoughtful small touches for guests: sharing sunrise timings, pointing out where to see "blue tears" (a magical glowing sea phenomenon), lending tide-hunting tools, and serving afternoon tea—gestures no machine or app can replicate.

Richu is also pet-friendly, something many tourists appreciate. One tourist from Zhejiang said the homestay even upgraded his room to one with a yard for free. He enjoyed reading in the sailboat-shaped tent café, sunbathing on the lawn, and looking out at the sea—exactly the relaxing vacation he wanted. Beyond the rooms, Richu has many other delightful spaces: a small yard for tea around the fire, a play area for kids, a dressing room for fun travel photoshoots, an infinity pool overlooking the sea, a spacious camping lawn, swings, viewing platforms, and a self-service laundry room. Every corner shows how much the hosts care about making guests feel welcome.

The beach adjacent to the 68-Nautical-Mile Scenic Area was once a special place for Nian Xiaoling and her childhood friends—their "secret spot" to play. Now, it's a fun destination for tourists to hunt for crabs and other sea creatures when the tide goes out. In summer, jet skis race across the water, and locals and visitors sometimes fish together with big nets on the beach. The large lawn above the beach is also a hit for team-building events: people play games on the sand and host bonfire parties at night. Zhou Yingqiong, who handles the homestay's online bookings, moved to Pingtan from Jiangxi just ten days ago. She loves the sea and visited Pingtan twice before. "When I graduated from college, I said I wanted a life where I could walk by the sea right after work," she smiled. "Now that dream has come true." She especially loves the "blue hour" in the evening—when the sky is darkening but not yet dark, and the sea and sky blend into a deep, quiet blue. The only sound is the rhythm of the waves. "I even saw a weasel on the beach the other day," she said. "It looked at me curiously before running away. Living here, there's a new little surprise every day."

Nian Xiaoling grew up in Aoqian Village, where the homestay is located. She and the other founders named it Richu (which means "sunrise") because it's the first place on Pingtan Island to see the morning sun every day—and it's where they all grew up. The homestay's transformation from simple adobe and stone houses to a popular vacation spot reflects the rapid growth of Pingtan's tourism industry. "I never thought this small island would attract so many people from all over," Nian said. Over the years, she has met tourists from across China, even as far as Urumqi in the northwest. For her, Richu is more than a job—it's part of her daily life. It's a window for visitors to get to know Pingtan, and it's also a way for her to learn about the rest of the world through her guests. "I travel sometimes to see other places," she said firmly, "but I always love coming home. My family is here, and when I open the window, I see the same sea I've looked at since I was a kid." Nian and other local Pingtan residents have turned their love for their hometown into a thriving business, sharing the island's warmth and natural beauty with every visitor through Richu.