Jingzijiao Wapan Salt Fields Introduction
Jingzaijiao Tile Salt Field is the first salt field in Beimen and the oldest surviving tile salt field site. Originally established during the Qing Dynasty as the Saidong Salt Field, it was relocated here in 1818 and has not been moved since, making it the oldest active salt field in Taiwan with a history of 200 years. Historical records indicate that Chen Yonghua, a military advisor of the Zheng government, believed that the salt-making techniques of the indigenous peoples at the time were not mature, resulting in bitter-tasting salt. Therefore, he reformed the salt-making methods by building ponds by the sea, laying broken tiles on them, and channeling water into the salt pools, allowing the sun to create crystalline salt on the tiles, thus advancing the process of artificial salt production. The tile salt field, paved with tile pieces about 6 millimeters thick, presents a beautiful artistic mosaic. To continue the spirit of its salt-making culture, the salt field has been restored, preserving the unique salt-making landscape of "Jingzaijiao" along the coast of Yonghua in Beimen. As the sun sets, the afterglow is reflected in the salt fields, making this area a prime spot for photographers to capture the beauty of the sunset. It has now become the most distinctive tourist salt field within the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan Coastal National Scenic Area. Jingzaijiao Tile Salt Field allows visitors to relive the shared memories of the residents, and tourists can experience the fun of traditional salt-making, salt lifting, and salt harvesting, gaining in-depth knowledge of the history of salt production in Taiwan, making it an ideal destination for family-friendly deep travel.
