Major city · China
Pingtan平潭
One full day and one night: the island's coastal scenery and seafood are worth a stop if you're in East Fujian, but the sights are spread out and the ferry to Taiwan is the main draw for most.
Pingtan is a large island county connected to the mainland by bridge, known for its rocky coastline, wind-sculpted landscapes and seafood. Most visitors come for the ferry to Taiwan or as a day trip from Fuzhou. The island's sights are scattered, so a car or taxi is needed to see more than one or two spots. One night is enough to catch sunset and sunrise.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (typhoon season, hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold and windy)
- Airport
- FOC
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Pingtan110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pingtan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyPingtan is safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckFOC Fuzhou Changle International (About 2 h by bus or taxi via the bridge; check).
- Getting aroundBuses connect the county town to main villages, but infrequent.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from county town to coastal sights (e.g., Half Ocean Stone)check¥60–100 (≈ US$9–14)
- Metro or bus rideBus from Fuzhou to Pingtancheck¥55–70 (≈ US$8–10)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a guesthouse, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedDouble room in a guesthouse, a night, per roomCN¥600 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥400 (≈ US$60) · High CN¥700 (≈ US$100)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FOC Fuzhou Changle International (About 2 h by bus or taxi via the bridge; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest May (16 rain days), driest Oct (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pingtan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
15 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
15 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
16 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Dec
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses connect the county town to main villages, but infrequent. Taxi or hired car is the practical option for a day trip. Bicycle rental is possible in the town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus from Pingtan bus station, about 2 h
Return same day; Fuzhou has more sights and dining.
Taipei (by ferry)
cautionDoor to door: 3–4 h including check-in
CSF fast ferry from Pingtan port, about 3 h; check schedule
Requires valid Taiwan entry permit; ferry runs on select days only.
Taichung (by ferry)
cautionDoor to door: 3–4 h including check-in
CSF fast ferry from Pingtan port, about 3 h; check schedule
Same permit and schedule restrictions as Taipei route.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Pingtan County town (Tancheng)
Most hotels and restaurants; near the ferry terminal and bus station.
Coastal villages (e.g., Beigang, Liushui)
Guesthouses with sea views; quieter but fewer dining options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥200–350 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥350–600 (≈ US$50–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥600 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a guesthouse1 × 1 night × CN¥350 | CN¥350 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥400 | CN¥800 |
| Bus from Fuzhou to Pingtan, one way2 × CN¥60 · check | CN¥120 |
| Taxi from county town to coastal sights, one way1 × CN¥80 · check | CN¥80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥135 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥743 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,485≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and ferry tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus from Fuzhou to Pingtancheck | ¥55–70 (≈ US$8–10) |
| Local bus within Pingtancheck | ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi from county town to coastal sights (e.g., Half Ocean Stone)check | ¥60–100 (≈ US$9–14) |
| Seafood meal per person | ¥50–120 (≈ US$7–17) |
| Bottle of water | ¥2–3 (≈ under US$1) |
| Ferry Pingtan–Taipei one way (non-Taiwan citizen, advance)check; price in New Taiwan dollars | NT$3,000 (≈ US$100) (about ¥680 (≈ US$100)) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry to Taiwan requires a valid Taiwan entry permit (mainland residents need additional approvals; foreign nationals check visa rules).
- Typhoons can cancel ferries and close coastal roads from July to September.
- Wind is strong year-round; bring a jacket even in summer.
- Many sights are signposted in Chinese only; have a map app ready.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Pingtan平潭
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
Most foreign embassies are in Beijing; consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang, and Hong Kong. No consulate in Pingtan.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Fuzhou → Pingtan: about ¥60 (≈ US$9), about 2 h (check)
- Taxi county town → coastal sights: ¥60–100 (≈ US$9–14) (check)
- Ferry Pingtan → Taipei: NT$3,000 (≈ US$100) one way (advance, non-Taiwan citizen); about 3 h (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shǎo qián?)
- 我不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ bù dǒng)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?)
China requires a visa for most nationalities; check your eligibility before booking.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pingtan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (typhoon season, hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold and windy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry schedule and fare verification for both routes (Taipei, Taichung).
- Place pages for Half Ocean Stone, Stone Arch, and coastal hiking trails.
- Eat pages for seafood restaurants with verified hours.
- Taxi and bus frequency data for getting around.
Sources
Ask about Pingtan
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