China Sea Salt Museum

　　The Yancheng China Sea Salt Museum is the only thematic museum in China that reflects the historical civilization of Chinese sea salt. Situated between the ancient and famous artificial salt transport canal — Chuan Chang River — and the renowned Song Dynasty seawall — Fan Gong Dike, the museum complex covers an area of 60,000 square meters, with the main building spanning 18,000 square meters. The architectural design was overseen by Mr. Cheng Taining, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and winner of China’s highest architectural award, the “Liang Sicheng Prize.” The museum’s name was inscribed by the renowned calligrapher Mr. Shen Peng.

　　The museum was completed and opened to the public in November 2008. Its exhibits are divided into five sections: the Introductory Hall, the First Exhibition Hall (Companion of Life), the Second Exhibition Hall (Traces of Salt in History), the Third Exhibition Hall (Song of Boiling the Sea), and the Fourth Exhibition Hall (Salt and Yancheng). It aims to comprehensively and multi-dimensionally collect, preserve, and study historical materials related to Chinese sea salt culture, reflecting and presenting the historical civilization of Chinese sea salt. With over 2,000 years of history, Yancheng was established, named, and thrived because of salt. It is the origin of the long-standing sea salt culture along the lower reaches of the Huai River and the coast of the Yellow Sea. The history of Yancheng is a microcosm of the development of Chinese sea salt, and the establishment of the China Sea Salt Museum further highlights the comprehensive impact of the history of sea salt development on specific regions, including Yancheng.

　　The China Sea Salt Museum combines dynamic and static displays, links historical gravitas with modern openness, connects exhibition areas with industry, and pairs presentation with research.

　　It serves as a science education base, a patriotic education base, a social practice base for minors, a research center for sea salt culture, a service area for sea salt specialty products, and a tourist attraction — all rooted in survival and development.

　　◆ History of Salt

　　Table salt is a vital strategic resource closely tied to national livelihood. In ancient Chinese society, “of all state revenues, salt profits accounted for half.” Since the Spring and Autumn period when the State of Qi implemented the “official control of mountains and seas,” salt profits became a critical focus for rulers throughout history. The production and distribution of sea salt were monopolized, subject to state-run exclusive sales, and even military control — all aimed at securing substantial tax revenues for military and state needs. The history of sea salt development has actually transcended mere technological history; it has become integrated into the national administrative and taxation systems. Moreover, due to the pervasive influence of this salty essence, this unique chapter of civilization reveals the bitterness of monopoly, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

　　Address: No. 1 Kaifang Avenue, Yancheng City

　　Type: Museum

　　Recommended visiting time: 1–2 hours

　　Phone: 0515-89902306

　　Official website: http://www.chinahymuseum.com/

　　Opening hours:

　　Tuesday–Sunday: 9:00–17:00; last entry at 16:00.

　　Ticket information:

　　Free admission. Daily visitor numbers are limited to 3,000, and free admission tickets are distributed in timed slots based on the day’s visitor flow. Visitors enter the museum in queue order.

　　Source: Yancheng Sea Salt Historical and Cultural Scenic Area