Pingtan, the closest place on the Chinese mainland to the island of Taiwan and a growing destination for tourism and motorsports, came alive with the sound of revving engines as the 2026 Pingtan Car Culture Event opened at Zhuyu Bay Film and Television Base on May 23.

The event brought together an impressive lineup of vehicles, from timeless classic cars to eye-catching modified models, drawing car enthusiasts and visitors eager to experience the island's growing automotive scene.

Spread across the venue's open lawns, rows of vehicles showcased a blend of retro elegance and modern styling. Visitors moved through the displays, taking photos, examining vehicle details and chatting with owners, while nearby camping areas added a relaxed festival atmosphere to the gathering.

Live drifting performances became one of the highlights of the event, with the sound of screeching tires and roaring engines drawing enthusiastic crowds.

"The live drifting shows really lifted the atmosphere," said Lu Guoming, who arrived at the event in his Toyota 86. "I hope Pingtan's car culture continues to develop. That would help support the local economy and also create more opportunities for young people to express themselves."

The event also attracted participants from beyond Fujian Province. Tian Hanlin, a car enthusiast from Guangdong Province, said the welcoming atmosphere made him feel unexpectedly at home.

"In Pingtan, it actually felt like home," Tian said. "People here are genuinely passionate about cars. Events like this are special because they connect people from different places through a shared passion."

Organizers said the event made use of Zhuyu Bay Film and Television Base's spacious lawns and industrial-style settings to create an open platform where car owners and enthusiasts could showcase vehicles and interact freely.

The gathering reflects Pingtan's broader efforts in recent years to strengthen its automotive and motorsports ecosystem. The island has gradually expanded beyond simply hosting competitions and events, aiming to cultivate a more sustainable industry presence and a stronger culture around motorsports.

"It is not easy to gather so many impressive cars in one place on an international tourism island," event planner Zeng Fanxi said. "Pingtan isn't just known for its scenery. It also has solid motorsports infrastructure, including racing circuits, karting venues and off-road tracks. The foundations for motorsports culture here are already quite strong."