Longfeng Head Beach (Longfengtou), Pingtan

Longfeng Head Beach, known in Chinese as Longfengtou, is one of the principal bathing beaches on Haitan Island, the main island of Pingtan County in Fuzhou, Fujian, China. The beach is a broad sweep of fine, pale sand, backed by dunes, coastal shelterbelt trees and a line of seaside facilities. The water faces the open Taiwan Strait, and it ranges from turquoise-tinged green on clear days to greyer tones when winds stir the sediment. Pingtan is known as a windy island, so the beach is exposed, and surf and breezes can be strong, particularly outside summer. In the swimming season, from June to September, a lifeguard-patrolled swimming zone is marked out, and visitors should stay inside it. The beach has a lively, holiday-resort atmosphere, popular with domestic tourists, families and groups, with beachfront restaurants serving seafood, showers and changing rooms for rinsing off, and seaside parking for those who arrive by car. Sun loungers are not a standard feature, and shade is limited on open sand, so umbrellas, hats and sunscreen are useful. Getting there involves the high-speed train from Fuzhou to Pingtan station, about 30 km from the beach, followed by a taxi or the K1 or K3 island bus, with the road journey taking roughly 40-60 minutes. Taxis cost about ¥60-100, and hiring a driver for the day is a convenient way to combine several Pingtan beaches. Parking is available along the seaside, though it can fill on summer weekends and holidays. The best months are June to September for swimming, while spring and autumn bring clearer light and quieter sand, but the water is cooler and winds stronger. Visitors should check typhoon warnings and flags before entering the water, as the exposed coast can produce strong currents. Evening is a pleasant time for walking on the sand and eating at the beachfront restaurants.