Plan at a glance
Its relationship with the 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area
Houyan Island is in Dong'ao Village, Aoqian Town, Pingtan County, and forms the core landmark section of the 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area. Visitors enter through the scenic area's Visitor Center and use the same entrance and ticketing system. Houyan Island has no separate ticket; the complete three-island visit uses the 68 Nautical Miles entrance and ticket.
For the representative Houyan landmarks alone, allow about 1-1.5 hours for a short visit. To visit Houyan, Yanhou, and Xianshan Islands together, allow about 2-3 hours or more for the full 68 Nautical Miles route. The coast is open, sunny, and windy, and your actual pace depends on walking, waiting, and the areas open that day.
Ticket and opening hours
Use the 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area's adult ticket reference of CNY 68 for Houyan Island. The in-park sightseeing bus is separate, commonly around CNY 20 for a round trip. 08:00-17:30 is the opening-hours reference for the scenic area; leave time to return and exit before closing.
The Houyan ticket does not cover other Pingtan attractions, beaches outside the 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area, water activities, or the scenic area's sightseeing bus. If you buy the full 68 Nautical Miles product, decide on continuing to Yanhou and Xianshan according to the day's route. There is no separate Houyan Island pass to buy.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
View Visit Optionsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
The 68 Nautical Miles marker and Tongxin Window
The Houyan section is where to see the 68 Nautical Miles marker and Tongxin Window. The first is a commemorative landmark facing the sea, while the second is a framed viewpoint. Weather, visibility, crowds, and on-site photo arrangements affect how long you may want to stay. These are representative sights, not a promise of a particular photo result.
Inkstone Pillars, Wanggui Stone, and other coastal landmarks make useful short stops along the way. The main experience is the open coast, the landmarks, and the relationship between the islands. There is no need to approach a slippery edge or leave the designated route for a particular camera angle.
Eye of the Strait, Geometric Camp, and Watchstone Array
Eye of the Strait is on another island section of the 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area and is often visited in the same outing as Houyan. Geometric Camp and the Watchstone Array are also part of the full three-island route. They explain the wider attraction layout, but Houyan itself does not have a separate three-island entrance.
Houyan suits landmark photography, coastal scenery, and first-time visitors to Pingtan. Older adults and children can use the sightseeing bus to reduce the distance between island sections and use Houyan as a shorter stop. There are still walks, slopes, and exposed surfaces between landmarks, so check the conditions before bringing a stroller, dragging luggage, or planning continuous walking.
Build your day
Visiting the Houyan core section only
Enter through the 68 Nautical Miles Visitor Center and follow the signs to the Houyan landmark area. See the 68 Nautical Miles marker, Tongxin Window, Inkstone Pillars, and the coastal views in sequence, then return to the entrance or the sightseeing-bus stop. The 1-1.5 hour estimate is for the Houyan core section and does not include the full three-island route.
If queues, wind and waves, or weather make a long stop uncomfortable, shorten the photography time and view the sea from an open outer area before following the route back. Stay out of closed rock sections, behind barriers, and away from unofficial route changes.
Adding Houyan to the three-island route
For the full scenic-area visit, start at Houyan, continue to Yanhou according to the road and sightseeing-bus arrangements, then go to Xianshan for Eye of the Strait, Geometric Camp, and the Watchstone Array. Return to the entrance by bus or on foot. The order depends on the day's transfer direction and open areas; a previous route order does not guarantee the same bus operation today.
The three-island route takes about 2-3 hours, and longer with queues, strong wind, sun, or a slower walking pace. As 17:30 approaches or the weather changes suddenly, return first even if you have already finished Houyan. Leave the remaining points for another visit.
Combining it with other southern attractions
Houyan can form part of a half-day southern itinerary, followed by Tannan Bay or another public beach. Each stop has its own entrance, parking, and opening conditions. Longwangtou sunrise, beach activities, and nighttime Blue Tears viewing are separate plans that need their own time and transport.
If you only want one southern attraction that day, plan Houyan as one section of the 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area and adjust the visit accordingly. With limited time or budget, choose the core section or switch to a public coast. Confirm photography and transfer services separately for each attraction to avoid paying twice.
Get there
Reaching the 68 Nautical Miles Visitor Center
When driving, navigate to "68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area Ticket Checkpoint" or the Visitor Center and continue to the formal entrance and official parking area. There may be people nearby directing cars to parking or offering transfers. Follow the scenic area's formal entrance and do not get out early or take an unclear side road because of unofficial solicitation.
A taxi from Pingtan Station commonly takes about 20 minutes. Renting an electric scooter from the county-town area is more flexible, but account for coastal wind, sun, and the battery needed for the return. A bus can reach the "68 Town" area, but you still need to walk or transfer to the official Visitor Center; reaching that stop does not mean you have entered Houyan Island.
Parking and the return trip
Confirm the parking location before entering. Unofficial parking may be far from the entrance and add uphill walking in the sun. Whether official parking is charged, traffic is diverted, or a shuttle operates depends on the day's arrangements. Check on-site whether free parking or a free shuttle is actually available.
If you are not driving, plan the return vehicle before entering. Houyan, the county town, and Pingtan Station are separate transport points, and a last-minute ride may require a wait near closing time. Groups with older adults, children, or little experience on island roads should arrange a transfer in advance.
Know before you go
Coastal walking and on-site conditions
Houyan and its nearby landmarks are on an open coast with limited shade. Wear shoes with good grip and bring water and a windproof layer. Dark rocks, steps, and edges near the sea become more slippery after rain or when wind and waves are strong. Stay within the open area and away from dangerous surf when taking photos.
The sea may look brighter in clear weather, but cloud, wind, light, and crowds still affect photographs. Photo-taking and printing services may be offered on site; ask about the price and contents before paying. The entrance ticket does not automatically include them.
Ticket and spending boundaries
The adult CNY 68 ticket and CNY 20 round-trip sightseeing bus reference on this page both belong to the 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area product. Houyan has no separate ticket, so entering Houyan and continuing through the wider scenic area does not mean buying two tickets.
Food, drinks, photography, and other services inside the attraction may cost extra. Bring basic supplies before entering. If you are unsure whether to continue through all three islands, decide based on your remaining energy and time; after seeing the Houyan core, you can return without completing the full route.