With villages of stone houses, flashing blue waters and wet sea winds, Pingtan, a group of remote islands off eastern Fujian province, hopes to welcome more tourists to experience its relaxing and simple lifestyle.

"The culture here is that of seamen - brave, rough and simple," said Fan Wenyun, an architect from Nanjing University.

Local people aged in their 60s or 70s get up at half past 6 every morning and rest at 5 in the evening.

In the old days, they used to catch fish, pick shells off the beaches and chat with neighborhood friends as part of their everyday routine, he said.

In Beigang village on Pingtan, gray stone houses line the mountains overlooking the beach. The light blue sea is calm, embracing the cluster of small islands.

Fan rented one of the houses and made it a space for reading and gathering, in an effort to protect the old memories.

The stone houses, with more than 100 years of history, have been passed down from generation to generation.

Few people had heard of the village and many of its young residents left to find work in big cities, that is, until 10 years ago.

"The buildings need to house people," Fan said. "If no one takes care of them, the rain will leak through the roofs, dampen the beams and finally shatter the building."

Fan began to renovate the houses in March 2016 after two years of research and design.

"My principle is to let visitors discover traces of the former residents' lives," he said.

The kitchen where they once cooked has an old-style cooking bench, and old inscriptions on the walls quoting Chairman Mao still stand out, he said.

The flat roof and small window, which were originally built to prevent typhoons, also remain.

The original designs demonstrate the locals' adaptability and their ability to live harmoniously with nature, Fan said.

"There is a joke that says Pingtan has strong winds twice a year. Each lasts for six months," he said. "Wind created everything, from the silver sand to the unique architectural style."

There is sufficient sunlight in the daytime and when it is getting dark, the temperature will drop by three to four degrees.

"Tourists who come here may have their heart purified by changing their lifestyle," Fan said.

August marks the first anniversary of Pingtan being approved as an international tourism island.

Local infrastructure facilities and transportation networks have improved. More activities have been held there, including an international cycling contest, yacht race, musical festival and an island forum.

Zhang Zhaomin, Party chief of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, said the number of tourists visiting the island is expected to top 9 million by 2021.

Pingtan will become a base for island tourism, premier medical healthcare, and luxurious and honeymoon travels, as well as featuring the yacht and sea fishing industries, he said.

chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/04/2017 page4)