Budai Salt Fields (Budai Salt Mountain) Introduction
Buddha began to develop salt fields during the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong period. By the 3rd year of Daoguang, salt merchant Wu Shangxin further expanded the salt fields at Yan Cheng Bai Jia, laying the foundation for the salt-drying industry in Buddha. During the Japanese occupation, Buddha's salt fields became more mature, which transformed Buddha Harbor into an important salt transportation port, shipping salt to China and Japan. The bright white salt fields once held a "platinum" status in industry. Like other regions, salt workers have largely been replaced by mechanized salt drying, leading to a decline in Buddha's salt industry. The expansive salt fields no longer exhibit the traditional practices of salt harvesting, and the small trains that once traversed the salt fields have long since retired. The entrance monument "Millennium Buddha" was designed by internationally renowned sculptor Li Liangren over two months. He returned to Buddha multiple times, infusing his creativity with the history and memories that inspired him. Standing nearly seven meters tall and with a base width of five meters, the artwork is composed of copper plates arranged in wavy lines, shaped like sails and flowing wings, symbolizing the ocean, sunlight, passion, and life. The bronze sculpture includes abstract representations of Buddha's specialties such as fish, salt, oysters, and crabs, as well as the sun that crystallizes seawater into salt. Through the changes in light and shadow created by the hollow spaces within the work, it extends the imagination and vision of the viewers. (Source: Newidea, Issue 190, Article by Wu De-liang) Taiwan Salt Biotech Plant No. 3
