Homestays create fresh harmony on the island of singing stones

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As Beigang's first homestay, "Singing Stones" quickly attracted attention, which led to a growing number of visitors who wanted to make the stones "sing". Many television programs have also been shot there.

Two years ago, the "stone music" of the village featured on a special overseas edition of the Spring Festival Gala, broadcast by Fujian's South East Television on Lunar New Year's Eve.

In 2017, the village received 300,000 visitors. The number rose to 490,000 last year, resulting in total tourism revenue hitting 9.9 million yuan, according to Chen, the village head.

He said there are 241 stone houses in Beigang, and by last month, 64 of them had been transformed into homestays, while 12 had been turned into restaurants and 10 were operating as stores. Six other buildings are being refurbished.

"'Singing Stones' has helped to attract more people to the village from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. They are looking for work or hoping to start their own businesses," Chen said.

In 2016, there were only three homestays in Beigang, and they were all operated by people from Taiwan. In 2017, local people opened five more.

According to the local government, by the end of last year, there were 77 homestays across Pingtan, and last month, Beigang's homestays offered about 300 rooms at an average nightly rate of 400 yuan.

"The local people wanted to live in modern apartment blocks after they got rich (from working elsewhere), and they never knew the old houses they tried to get away from could also bring them a good income," Chen said, adding that many former tunnel workers or fishermen have now moved into tourism.

Several small wooden fishing boats dot the bay. Most are unused, so their old fishing nets have become decorations in cafes.

The local people are busy preparing seafood for visitors, and the old melodies created by the stones "singing" can still be heard.

"Beigang has vitality now," Chen said.

Tourists visit "Singing Stones", an artistic community combining homestay hotels, handicraft workshops and small restaurants, in Beigang village, Pingtan county, Fujian province, in December.Zhang Bin / China News Service