If you're lucky enough, you might catch sight of the "blue tears", a rare phenomenon first witnessed in Pingtan in August 2013. They are caused by a myriad of ostracods, small crustaceans that are washed onto the island city's beaches by the rising tides. The flickering blue lights they produce light up the night, giving the impression the water is glowing blue.

"Blue tears", a rare phenomenon first witnessed in Pingtan in August 2013, might occur at night around the time of the race. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]