Pingtan International Circuit
Location
Pingtan, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
Current Local Time
Track Info
Pingtan International Circuit - Pingtan, Fujian, China
Semi-permanent street circuit around Ruyi Lake - fast, technical and distinctive for its long sweeping lakeside corners
When was the track built?
Pingtan's Ruyi Lake circuit was created by converting existing city roads and connecting them with purpose-built racing sections. Rather than sitting inside a traditional motorsport complex, the track runs through the modern Jinjing area beside Ruyi Lake on Pingtan Island.
The first version appeared in 2022 with 17 corners. For 2023 the circuit was substantially revised into today's 2.937 km, 14-turn configuration. The changes kept its most recognisable feature, the enormous Ruyi Bend, while making the opening sequence from Turns 2 to 5 more technical.
When was its first race?
Pingtan's first national-level racing took place in December 2022, when China GT and the FIA F4 Chinese Championship visited the newly created street circuit.
The first F4 race was held on 10 December, with Xie Yonglin taking victory. The event immediately established Pingtan as something unusual on China's racing calendar: a genuine street circuit combining professional motorsport with a coastal tourist destination.
What's the circuit like?
- Very fast in places: The circuit was designed with speeds of more than 260 km/h possible in its quickest sections, so it feels considerably faster than its short overall length suggests.
- Ruyi Bend: The signature corner follows the lake for more than 800 metres. Drivers spend a long time under lateral load while trying to maintain speed and position the car correctly.
- Street-circuit precision: Concrete barriers and limited run-off mean mistakes are more costly than at a wide permanent circuit. The technical sequences demand accurate braking and smooth changes of direction.
The combination of open, high-speed sections and tighter street corners makes setup difficult: cars need stability at speed without becoming too slow or difficult to rotate through the technical sections.
Lap records and benchmarks
- CEC GT3 qualifying: 1:17.295 - Wu Yifan / Xu Keming / Liu Zichen, Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, 2025.
- F4 China qualifying: 1:18.356 - Liu Ruiqi, Mygale M14-F4, 2023.
- China GT GT3 qualifying: 1:18.508 - Guo Guoxin, Mercedes-AMG GT3, 2023.
- CEC GT4 qualifying: 1:22.472 - Dong Junbo / Yang Shuo, BMW M4 GT4, 2025.
- CEC TCR qualifying: 1:24.194 - Zhang Zecheng / Liu Donghan, Audi RS 3 LMS TCR, 2025.
These are published qualifying benchmarks from the current 2.937 km layout. Pingtan previously used a longer configuration, so older lap times should not be compared directly.
Why go?
Pingtan offers something rare in Chinese motorsport: racing through a modern coastal city rather than inside a conventional permanent circuit. Ruyi Lake, nearby buildings and the island setting give the venue a strong visual identity.
Events have included China GT, FIA F4 China, the China Endurance Championship and one-make racing. The wider motorsport carnival combines racing with tourism and entertainment, making it particularly approachable for visitors attending their first motorsport event.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main straight: The easiest option for first-time visitors, with race starts, finishes and pit activity concentrated nearby.
- Ruyi Bend: The circuit's defining section. Where spectator areas allow, it is the best place to watch cars maintain high speed through the enormous sweeping corner.
- Turns 2-5: A more technical part of the circuit where drivers have to brake, change direction and position the car precisely between the barriers.
As a semi-permanent street circuit, spectator areas and road closures can change from one event to another. Check the event map before choosing where to watch.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Pingtan International Circuit (China)
Pingtan International Circuit is a new permanent race track being built on Pingtan Island in Fujian Province. The circuit is still under construction in 2026 and is not yet open for race-day visitors, with completion currently planned for 2027. If you are attending a Pingtan motorsport event before then, check whether your ticket actually refers to the separate Ruyi Lake International City Circuit.
Important 2026 circuit update
Pingtan International Circuit is not yet an operating spectator raceway. Construction resumed in early 2026, with the project working towards completion and acceptance during 2027.
- Permanent circuit: the new facility will have a 3.53 km professional road course built to international Grade 2 standards.
- Not open yet: there are currently no normal race-day entrances, spectator parking instructions or public ticketing arrangements for the finished circuit.
- Do not confuse the venues: Pingtan's Ruyi Lake International City Circuit is a separate street circuit that has already hosted major racing.
If you already have tickets for a Pingtan race, use the venue name printed on the ticket rather than automatically travelling to the new construction site.
Train
- Pingtan Station: this will be the most useful rail arrival point for the permanent circuit once it opens.
- From Fuzhou: direct trains operate between Fuzhou South and Pingtan, with some journeys taking around 35 minutes.
- Station → circuit: use a taxi, ride-hailing vehicle or event shuttle once official spectator access is published.
- Tickets: check China Railway 12306 for your exact travel date and train.
Pingtan Station can become extremely busy during holidays, so allow extra time during major tourism periods.
Driving & road access
- From Fuzhou: Pingtan is connected to mainland Fujian by expressway and the Pingtan Strait road-rail bridge.
- On the island: the new circuit project is west of Zhongshan Avenue within the wider automotive culture and technology development area.
- Navigation: once the circuit opens, use the official event entrance rather than navigating only to the construction project's general location.
- Parking: permanent spectator parking arrangements have not yet been published, so do not rely on current construction-site access.
Airport transfers
- Fuzhou Changle International Airport (FOC): the main airport for Pingtan and the most practical option for most domestic and international visitors.
- Private transfer: straightforward if you want to travel directly from the airport to a Pingtan hotel.
- Rail option: Fuzhou's transport network can be used to connect with trains towards Pingtan.
- Stay overnight: for a future race weekend, staying on Pingtan Island will be easier than travelling back to Fuzhou after every session.
Driving in China for overseas visitors
- Foreign licences: an overseas driving licence or International Driving Permit alone is generally not sufficient for driving in mainland China.
- Temporary permit: eligible visitors can apply for a Chinese provisional driving permit.
- Simpler option: train plus taxi or ride-hailing will normally be easier for a short motorsport trip.
Future race-day planning
- Large new facility: plans include a race control and pit complex, medical facilities, testing areas and a kart circuit.
- Event access: wait for the organiser to publish the correct spectator gate and parking area before travelling.
- Pingtan weather: the island is exposed to strong coastal winds, so check conditions shortly before an outdoor event.
- Supplies: Pingtan has extensive hotels, restaurants and tourist facilities, so staying on the island is practical.
Where to stay
- Pingtan town: the simplest all-round base, with hotels, restaurants and easy taxi access around the island.
- Near the future circuit: wait until the venue opens before choosing accommodation purely based on gate location.
- Fuzhou: useful before or after your trip, but less convenient for travelling to a multi-day race on Pingtan.
- Camping: no permanent spectator campground has yet been announced for the new circuit.
Accessibility
- Not yet published: final accessible parking, spectator seating and entrance information is not available while the circuit remains under construction.
- Future visitors: check the first official spectator guide once events are announced rather than relying on construction plans.
- Rail arrival: taxi or private transfer will normally minimise transfers between Pingtan Station and the venue.
Quick guide
- Visiting in 2026? The permanent Pingtan International Circuit is still under construction and is not yet a normal spectator venue.
- Coming by train in future? Use Pingtan Railway Station, then continue by taxi, ride-hailing or an official event shuttle.
- Flying? Use Fuzhou Changle International Airport and continue towards Pingtan by road or rail.
Before travelling, confirm both the event date and the exact circuit name. Pingtan International Circuit and Ruyi Lake International City Circuit are different venues.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Pingtan International Circuit (Pingtan, China)
Pingtan International Circuit, also known as Pingtan Ruyi Lake International City Circuit, brings street racing to one of China’s best-known island destinations. Whether you’re visiting for GT cars, endurance racing or Formula 4, beaches, traditional stone villages and dramatic coastal scenery are all close enough to fill the rest of your weekend.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Longwangtou Beach: One of Pingtan’s most popular beaches, with a broad stretch of sand that works well for paddling, beach walks and an easy break after the racing.
- Haitan Ancient City: A modern cultural attraction inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, with shops, food, performances and plenty to explore with children.
- 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area: Follow coastal paths through unusual rock formations and viewpoints looking across the Taiwan Strait. Allow a few hours rather than trying to squeeze it between race sessions.
- Blue Tears: Pingtan is famous for occasional bioluminescent plankton that makes the shoreline glow blue at night. Sightings are natural and unpredictable, so never plan your whole evening around seeing them.
Culture & slower-paced stops
- Beigang Village: Wander through a traditional coastal village known for stone houses built to cope with Pingtan’s strong winds and exposed island climate.
- Haitan Ancient City: An easy introduction to local culture for first-time visitors, particularly useful when you want shops, food and attractions together in one place.
- Pingtan’s stone villages: Traditional granite houses are found across the island and form an important part of its coastal character. Exploring a village provides a very different experience from Pingtan’s new urban districts.
Eat & drink after the racing
- Fresh seafood: Pingtan’s island setting makes fish, shellfish, prawns and other seafood an obvious choice. Restaurants around the main town and coastal areas offer plenty of simple shared dishes.
- Central Pingtan: Head into the main urban area for the widest choice of restaurants, cafés and late-evening food after the circuit closes.
- Beachside meals: Longwangtou and other coastal areas are good choices when you want to combine dinner with an evening walk beside the sea.
Get outdoors around the island
- Tannan Bay: A quieter stretch of sandy coastline with clear sea views and plenty of space for a relaxed walk or beach afternoon.
- Fairy Well: Visit a dramatic coastal rock formation where waves, cliffs and weathering have created one of Pingtan’s most distinctive natural sights.
- Longwangtou Beach: Go early for sunrise or return in the evening when the temperature drops and the beachfront becomes more comfortable for walking.
- Coastal cycling: Pingtan has extensive seafront roads and scenic routes, making cycling a good option when wind conditions are suitable.
Easy trips if you’re extending your stay
- Beigang Village & northern Pingtan: Combine stone houses with coastal viewpoints and the island’s wind-turbine landscape for an easy half-day drive.
- 68 Nautical Miles Scenic Area: Head to the southern side of Pingtan for rocky coastline, sea views and one of the island’s most recognisable visitor attractions.
- Fuzhou: Extend your trip on the mainland to explore Fujian’s provincial capital, including the historic Three Lanes and Seven Alleys district, parks and a much larger choice of restaurants.
Good to know on event weekends
- Remember it is a semi-street circuit: Parts of the track use normal public roads, so road closures and traffic diversions are part of major race weekends.
- Check the layout: Pingtan has used different circuit configurations, meaning published track lengths and corner counts can vary between events.
- Expect wind: Pingtan is an exposed island and can become very breezy. Bring a light layer and secure hats or loose belongings around open spectator areas.
- Allow time for the island: Beaches and attractions are spread across Pingtan, so taxis, ride-hailing or a car are useful if you want to explore beyond the circuit area.
Race calendars, circuit layouts, road closures, attraction opening hours, beach conditions and Blue Tears sightings can change - check current information before you travel.