Windswept islands offer peace, escape

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.