Zhou Nan Salt Field Introduction
The fishing and salt industry flourished in Budai since the Qing Dynasty, and the once-abundant salt supply symbolized a beautiful past. The establishment of the Chunan Salt Field in 1824 marked the beginning of Taiwan's "Golden Age of Salt Production." Over time, the production of table salt in Taiwan shifted from domestic to imported sources, leading to the end of sun-dried salt production in 2002. To revive Budai's rich salt field culture, the Budai Mouth Cultural Association envisions "Happy Salt Field Heart Salt Village" and adopts "environmental education/activity industry" as a sustainable operation strategy, integrating salt production, living, and ecology. This revitalizes the Chunan Salt Field, which had been abandoned for six years, bringing it back to life while supporting cultural, tourism, and educational functions. Visitors can experience the old soul and new charm of the salt fields firsthand. The "Chunan Salt Field" is regarded as a "Cultural Salt Field," while the neighboring Xincuozi community (including Longjiang and Xincuo Village) is termed a "Cultural Salt Village," offering a perspective on the history, local context, and daily life of Budai's salt industry. The "Salt Appreciation Festival" is an important annual event at Chunan Salt Field, where salt workers would prepare offerings to thank the land and deities for a bountiful harvest during significant festivals. Since 2008, the Chunan Salt Field has held the Salt Appreciation Festival at the end of each year to express gratitude to the land, merging traditional cultural practices and creating a significant contemporary cultural celebration.
