As sea breezes sweep across Pingtan in May, the island reveals a different charm at every turn. At Zhuyu Lake, winds rustle the awnings of parked campervans beneath dappled sunlight. In the red-brick lanes of Pingtan Taiwan-themed Town, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifts through the air. At Pingtan No. 22 International Yacht Marina, sails catch the ocean wind as boats glide across the waves.

During the May Day holiday, visitors from across the country flocked to the island in search of a slower pace of life. From road trips in campervans and leisurely walks through old streets to sailing excursions at sea, Pingtan embraced travelers with its relaxed coastal atmosphere and scenic mountain-and-sea landscapes, offering a memorable holiday experience for families, couples and independent travelers alike.

Living the island life in a campervan

Keywords: nature-based learning, mobile living 

Family relaxing by Zhuyu Lake

At Zhuyu Lake Park, lush greenery and calm waters created a tranquil setting for holidaymakers. Parked beside the lake was a green campervan that had become home for Mr. Lin and his family.

"We set off from Xi'an in Shaanxi two years ago and have gradually driven through Ningxia, Gansu, Xinjiang, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan before finally arriving in Pingtan just ahead of the May Day holiday," Lin said.

For the family, the campervan is more than transportation — it is a mobile home and classroom on wheels. Lin said the island's mild climate, clean air and green surroundings immediately left a positive impression.

Long-term campervan travel also depends heavily on public facilities. Since their vehicle does not include a bathroom, the family chose Zhuyu Lake Park as a temporary base during their stay. Lin praised the park's well-maintained environment and camper-friendly amenities, saying it allowed them to avoid crowded hotels and packed tourist sites during the holiday rush.

Inside the campervan, their son Xiaomo quietly studied at a folding table while preparing for schoolwork. Lin believes travel itself is an important form of education. 

"Children do not only grow at a desk," he said. "Travel lets them experience different cultures and lifestyles firsthand. We hope these journeys help shape his character and broaden his horizons."

Xiaomo said life on the road has taught him to become more independent. During their stay in Pingtan, the family deliberately avoided busy tourist crowds, spending mornings watching waterbirds around the lake and afternoons reading at local libraries.

For the family, Pingtan's clean streets, welcoming atmosphere and thoughtful public spaces made the island feel both comfortable and relaxing even during a busy holiday season.

Pingtan Taiwan-themed Town draws family crowds

Keywords: upgraded attractions, themed parades, Taiwan-style shopping and dining

Parade performers in traditional Santiaozan (three-hairpin) costumes

In Pingtan Taiwan-themed Town, rows of Minnan (southern Fujian)-style red-brick buildings topped with swallowtail roofs created a picturesque backdrop for holiday visitors. The coastal-themed district attracted large numbers of families eager to explore its streets, shops and cultural attractions.

Among them was Ms. Lin from Anhui Province, who arrived with three generations of her family for a three-day self-driving island tour. 

"The scenery is beautiful, the air is fresh and the pace is very relaxing," she said. "It's the kind of place where families can slow down and enjoy time together."

During the holiday, the town launched a series of lively themed activities. A marine-themed treasure hunt proved especially popular with children, while an oversized ocean-ball playground became a favorite spot for younger visitors.

Parents praised the outdoor activities for being safe and stress-free, allowing children to play freely while adults relaxed nearby. Visitor Li Nian from Jiangxi Province said her child was thrilled to receive a marine-themed souvenir after completing the treasure hunt challenge.

Elsewhere in the district, performers dressed in traditional "Three Hairpin" attire wandered through the streets, drawing crowds of tourists eager to take photos. A black upright shared piano placed along the street added to the town's relaxed vibe with visitors occasionally stopping to play soft melodies amid the red-brick surroundings.

"Walking through the streets while hearing piano music instantly made me feel relaxed," one tourist said.

The town also handed out coffee discount vouchers, encouraging visitors to pause and unwind at nearby cafés. Li Nian's husband said enjoying coffee in the sea breeze after hours of strolling felt like the perfect holiday rhythm.

Many younger travelers also praised the district's growing mix of cafés, shops and entertainment venues, saying the relaxed atmosphere made it ideal for enjoying ocean views, coffee culture and local football matches.

Inside the Taiwan goods marketplace, visitors browsed a wide variety of specialty products and souvenirs, while food streets filled the air with the aroma of Taiwan-style fried chicken and tea drinks.

Li Nian said the town had changed significantly since her last visit two years ago.

"There's much more to see and do now," she said. "The streets are easy to walk, elderly family members can comfortably stroll around, and children have plenty of activities. It's become a great destination for multigenerational family trips."

Sailing becomes a new island favorite

Keywords: sailing adventures, breezy escapes

Visitors enjoying sailing at No.22 International Yacht Marina

At Pingtan No. 22 International Yacht Marina, waves gently lapped against the shore as visitors prepared to set sail. With upgrades to local marine tourism services, sailing have become one of the island's most popular holiday activities.

Visitor Shen Tuwen from Jiujiang in Jiangxi Province boarded a sailboat with his girlfriend for a coastal cruise. Having visited Pingtan once before, he said this trip was specifically planned around experiencing the island's marine activities.

"Last time I came, I only visited some coastal attractions and missed the chance to go out on the water," Shen said. "This time I wanted to experience the excitement of sailing and create unforgettable holiday memories."

As the sailboat departed the marina, professional crew members handled navigation while passengers relaxed and enjoyed the sea views.

Nearby, another family from Anhui Province also took part in the sailing together. Visitor Wang Ze said his family had traveled to Pingtan by high-speed rail for a short seaside holiday.

"The staff were very professional and safety measures were well organized throughout the trip," Wang said. "We all felt very comfortable and had a wonderful experience."

He added that Pingtan's tourism infrastructure and family-friendly facilities have improved noticeably in recent years.

"In the past, people worried that island travel might be inconvenient," he said. "Now the transport, tourism services and safety support are much more developed, making it especially suitable for families with children."

As the half-hour coastal sailing trip came to an end, passengers returned to shore relaxed and smiling beneath the evening sunset. Looking out toward the glowing sea, Shen said he was already planning another trip.

"Next time, I want to bring my parents and experience even more of Pingtan's marine activities together," he said.