Plan at a glance
Area and entrance
The 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area is in Dong'ao Village, Aoqian Town, Pingtan County. It is a separate paid attraction on the southern route. The usual entrance is the 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area Visitor Center. The product covers Houyan Island, Yanhou Island, and Xianshan Island; Houyan Island is part of this attraction rather than a separate park.
Allow about 1-3 hours. Visitors focused on the main landmarks can shorten the walking and use the sightseeing bus. First-time visitors who want to take in the coastal landforms, landmarks, and views between the islands at a slower pace should allow more daylight time. The route is exposed to the sun, and the walking distance is longer than it appears from the entrance.
Tickets, sightseeing buses, and opening hours
The adult ticket is commonly planned around the CNY 68 price point, with possible student discounts. The sightseeing bus is a separate in-park transport service, commonly around CNY 20 for a round trip and CNY 10 one way. 08:00-17:30 is the working opening-hours reference; leave time for queues, walking, and changes to bus operations on the return.
The entrance ticket covers the 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area product only. It does not cover other Pingtan beaches, Xianren Well, Jiangjun Mountain, or the Northern Ecological Corridor and its sightseeing bus. On-site and online ticketing may both be available, depending on the day. Temporary discounts, photography services, and parking arrangements can change, so confirm the actual terms when buying a ticket or parking.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Houyan, Yanhou, and Xianshan Islands
The Houyan section is known for Tongxin Window, Inkstone Pillars, and other coastal landmarks. Yanhou continues with the bridge between the islands and its stone formations. The Xianshan section has Geometric Camp, Eye of the Strait, and the Watchstone Array. Together, the three sections make up the complete scenic-area product, but the landscape and walking experience differ from one section to another.
This is suitable for first-time visitors to Pingtan, travelers interested in coastal landforms and landmark photography, and families wanting a half-day southern outing. The coast is open and shade is limited. Older adults and children can use the sightseeing bus to reduce walking between islands, but the bus stops only at designated stations, and each landmark still requires walking after you get off.
The 68 Nautical Miles marker and Eye of the Strait
The 68 Nautical Miles marker is the clearest themed landmark and a natural place for a souvenir photo. Tongxin Window frames the sea, while Eye of the Strait uses a white structure and open sea to create a broad viewpoint. Weather, visibility, and crowds affect the result; the bright sea colors and camera angles often seen online may not be there on every visit.
Geometric Camp and the Watchstone Array work better as brief stops along the route. Some installations here are strongly designed photo features. Visitors who care more about natural coastline than landmark photos can shorten this visit and spend more time on a public coast elsewhere, while staying on the open route inside the attraction.
Build your day
Quick route: about 1-1.5 hours
After entering, take the sightseeing bus toward the farthest section on Xianshan Island. Follow the return direction to see Eye of the Strait, Geometric Camp, and the landmarks along the route, then pass the 68 Nautical Miles marker and Tongxin Window before exiting near Houyan Island. The exact stop order follows the day's bus operation and on-site instructions. Stay on the open route even when time is short.
This route suits visitors with limited time who mainly want the themed landmarks. Still allow time for ticketing, waiting, boarding, getting off, and walking by the sea. If queues or weather slow the bus, leave out one stop rather than rushing to keep a fixed schedule.
Full route: about 2-3 hours
Start on Houyan Island with Tongxin Window, Inkstone Pillars, and other landmarks. Continue to Yanhou Island for its bridge and coastal rock formations, then finish on Xianshan Island with Geometric Camp, Eye of the Strait, and the Watchstone Array. Choose between walking and the sightseeing bus according to your energy, and follow the on-site directions back to the entrance.
The full route is better for first-time visitors and anyone who wants to see all three island sections. Sun, wind, and slopes affect your pace, so wear shoes with good grip and bring water. With strong wind, rain, slippery rock, or closing time approaching, return first and leave the remaining stops for another day.
Combining it with other southern stops
The 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area works as the main half-day stop on a southern itinerary, with Tannan Bay or another public beach before or after it if time allows. Longwangtou Beach does not share this entrance or ticket product. Sunrise, swimming, and nighttime beach activities need their own time and return plan.
The scenic area and other southern stops are separate, with separate tickets and routes. There is no need to rush through a supposed loop route in one day. Southern roads, parking, wind, and waves can change, so decide whether to continue after the scenic area based on the remaining daylight and vehicle condition.
Get there
Driving and the official entrance
When driving, enter "68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area Ticket Checkpoint" or the official Visitor Center in your map app, and continue to the formal entrance and parking area. People near the entrance may direct you to unofficial parking. Continue to the formal entrance instead; whether parking is charged or vehicles are diverted depends on the official arrangements that day.
Parking farther from the entrance adds sun exposure and uphill walking. Groups with older adults, children, or a lot of belongings should confirm the official entrance and parking position before deciding to enter. Private shuttles, free parking, and free transfers may not be available, so confirm the day's arrangements before parking.
High-speed rail, taxis, and electric scooters
A taxi from Pingtan Station to the scenic area usually takes about 30 minutes. An electric scooter works for experienced riders in stable weather traveling from the county-town area. Pingtan Station, the Visitor Center, and the island's other beaches are separate transport points, and a car may not be available immediately outside the scenic area, so arrange the return in advance.
If you plan to leave before closing, allow for the drive, waiting time, and island traffic. With public transport, confirm the walking distance from the stop to the Visitor Center; a straight-line distance on a map is not the same as the actual arrival time.
Know before you go
Sun, walking, and photography
Shade is limited on the coastal sections, and moving between the three islands can take longer than expected. Wear shoes with good grip and bring water and sun protection. View wet rocks, rock edges, and structures near the sea only from open areas; stay behind barriers and away from the surf when taking photos.
On-site photographers or photo services may be available at Tongxin Window, Eye of the Strait, and other points. Decide before the photo is taken and confirm the price. The entrance ticket covers entry; printing, staged photos, and other photography services are separate.
Spending and the return trip
Drinks, snacks, and temporary services inside the scenic area are limited, so bring basic supplies before entering. Confirm parking, the entrance ticket, the sightseeing bus, and meals separately, and check what each purchase includes.
If the weather turns bad, the bus queue becomes too long, or it is close to 17:30, shorten the route and return to the entrance first. The southern coast outside the scenic area can be visited another day; there is no reason to rush through every landmark in one day.