Pingtan Emerges as a Premier Maritime Tourism Destination with Expanding Yacht and Cruise Offerings

Published on August 19, 2025

Pingtan, an island in Fujian province, is quickly becoming a top destination for maritime tourism. With its strategic location, stunning coastline, and rich maritime resources, the island is transforming into a bustling hub for leisure and adventure. At the heart of this transformation is the No 22 International Yacht Marina, which has become a symbol of Pingtan’s growing popularity as a maritime tourism destination.

Shifting the Perception of Yachting

Yachting, once seen as an exclusive luxury activity, is now accessible to a wider range of visitors in Pingtan. The marina is making it possible for tourists to experience a yacht ride for just a few dozen yuan. Unless it’s rainy or unsafe to go out to sea, the marina is always bustling with visitors, emphasizing how the marina has broken down the barriers that once kept yachting exclusive.

Since its opening in June of the previous year, the marina has attracted over 10,000 tourists, generating 1.38 million yuan ($193,000) in revenue. This success is part of Pingtan’s broader strategy to develop its maritime tourism industry and leverage its coastal location for economic growth. By lowering the barriers to entry, the marina is giving more visitors the chance to explore the waters around Pingtan and experience the joy of yachting.

Pingtan’s Vision for Maritime Tourism

Pingtan’s development as a maritime tourism destination is part of a long-term strategy to boost the local economy. With a vast maritime area of 6,064 square kilometers and a coastline stretching 408 km, the island is an ideal location for ocean-centric tourism activities. In 2016, the State Council approved a development plan to turn Pingtan into an international tourism island. The plan aims to enhance the island’s infrastructure, improve its appeal to global travelers, and promote its diverse tourism offerings.

The plan has focused on three key sectors within maritime tourism: cruise ships, yachts, and sightseeing vessels. These three pillars work in tandem to create a vibrant and varied tourism experience. Tourists can choose from leisurely yacht rides, exciting cruise tours, and scenic sightseeing boat trips, making Pingtan a versatile destination for those seeking both relaxation and adventure.

A New Era for Cruise Tourism

Cruise tourism is another area where Pingtan is seeing significant growth. In July 2025, the China Merchants Eden cruise ship arrived in Pingtan, marking the start of the island’s 2025 cruise tourism season. The ship, which carries over 2,000 passengers, alternates between Shanghai and Shenzhen, with six scheduled stops in Pingtan from July to October.

The arrival of large cruise ships signals Pingtan’s rising importance in international tourism. The island has launched five international cruise routes to Japan and South Korea, as well as seven domestic routes along China’s southeastern coast. These routes have already proven successful, with over 12,000 passenger trips in 2024. With more international travelers visiting the island, Pingtan is solidifying its position as a key player in global cruise tourism.

Expanding Sightseeing and Leisure Offerings

Beyond cruises and yachts, Pingtan has developed a variety of sightseeing vessels to further diversify its tourism offerings. These vessels offer scenic tours around the island, providing tourists with an opportunity to explore Pingtan’s stunning natural beauty. One such sightseeing vessel, the Haitan No 1, made 434 trips in 2024, carrying over 4,700 passengers. This growing interest in sightseeing tours highlights Pingtan’s appeal as a destination for coastal exploration.

The island is also home to some of China’s most picturesque beaches, making it a popular destination for those seeking a relaxing escape. Whether it’s enjoying the stunning views from a sightseeing boat or soaking up the sun on the beach, Pingtan offers a range of leisure activities that cater to different tastes.

Impressive Growth and Future Prospects

The growth of Pingtan’s maritime tourism is reflected in the island’s impressive tourism statistics. In the first half of 2025, the island received over 5.4 million tourist visits, generating more than 5.5 billion yuan in revenue. These figures represent significant year-on-year increases of 13.2% in visits and 17.3% in revenue. The increasing number of visitors underscores Pingtan’s rising popularity as a tourist destination.

Pingtan’s maritime tourism sector not only contributes to local economic growth but also fosters closer cross-Strait interactions. The island’s proximity to Taiwan makes it an important bridge for cultural and economic exchange between the two regions. Pingtan’s strategic location, coupled with its growing maritime tourism infrastructure, makes it an attractive destination for both domestic and international travelers.

Strengthening Cross-Strait Ties

To further strengthen ties between Pingtan and Taiwan, the No 22 International Yacht Marina has been designed to cater to cross-Strait yacht operations. The marina, which has 49 berths, reserves 17 spots exclusively for operations between Fujian and Taiwan. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote yacht travel between the two regions, as outlined in the Master Plan for the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone (2023-35).

Additionally, Pingtan is collaborating with Taiwan’s Kha Shing Enterprises, a leading yacht manufacturer, to build a yacht manufacturing base on the island. This partnership is expected to further integrate Pingtan and Taiwan in the maritime sector, promoting cross-Strait exchanges and fostering economic cooperation.

Conclusion

Pingtan is rapidly transforming into one of China’s premier maritime tourism destinations. With its expanding yacht and cruise offerings, the island is attracting a growing number of visitors seeking both adventure and relaxation. Pingtan’s strategic location, diverse maritime tourism options, and efforts to strengthen cross-Strait ties are all contributing to the island’s rising global appeal.

As Pingtan continues to develop its tourism infrastructure and expand its maritime offerings, it is poised to become a key destination for international travelers. With a promising future ahead, Pingtan is well on its way to becoming a top coastal leisure destination in China and beyond.