Zhainajiao Tile-Pot Salt Fields – Experience the joy of traditional salt drying, carrying, and harvesting

Text and photos byGui Xiaosun


To be honest, by the time I was writing this piece, I had already booked my April trip back to Tainan, and this time I’m planning to visit some places I haven’t been to yet. One might say, how does Tainan have so many spots? It’s truly perfect for a two-day, one-night mini trip.

Zhainajiao, a place that had long fascinated me. But I always passed through in the morning due to my return trip the next day, so I never managed to capture the evening scene. But then I thought, maybe coming here once in the morning isn’t a bad idea either. So this day, our little group arrived in the morning.

It’s about a 30-40 minute drive from downtown Tainan, and the scenery along the way gradually reveals just how many hidden faces Tainan has.






The moment you step into this area, you’ll see milkfish lying in the sun nearby. I love how sunlight naturally bathes everything on earth, and I love the scenery of a fishing village like this. Each milkfish basking in the sun tells a story of the fishing village—you’ll realize that such a view can only be seen in certain places.




When I arrived at Zhainajiao, I found it wasn’t as large as I’d imagined. It’s more like a specially designed recreational area where you can take off your shoes and play, and personally experience salt drying, carrying, and harvesting.

“Zhainajiao Tile-Pot Salt Fields” is the first salt field in Beimen and also the oldest existing tile-pot salt field site. Originally the Laidong Salt Field during the Qing Dynasty, it was relocated here in 1818 and has remained in the same spot ever since. The field is entirely made up of tile pots, creating a beautiful mosaic-like artistic effect.

In recent years, due to high labor costs, the salt-drying industry, which had lasted for 338 years, came to an end in 2002, and the once widespread salt fields gradually became abandoned and neglected.

To preserve the spirit of the salt-drying industry culture, the management restored the salt fields, which are now the most distinctive tourist salt fields within the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan Coastal National Scenic Area. They have also revived shared life memories for residents. Visitors can experience the traditional salt drying, carrying, and harvesting process here, making it a great deep-experience destination suitable for families.

More info: http://tour.tainan.gov.tw/view.aspx?sn=153




What did traditional salt fields look like? We weren’t around in those days, but perhaps many tourist areas today allow you to walk in the footsteps of the past and rediscover stories that no longer exist. Savoring those tales is actually essential for those who live on this land. Because of them, you’ll fall in love with this place again and again.




Like a checkerboard, each pile of salt forms a pyramid, presenting an incredibly charming triangular shape. Slowly, it seems that everyone who sees such a sight will think of this place. Its expression changes with the early morning, noon, and evening, and I imagine different seasons, color temperatures, and times of day all bring out different aspects. You and I might each see a different side of it here.

Aside from the salt fields, there are also simple shops nearby, as well as a salt play area for kids. There’s no entrance fee, and anyone can come here to enjoy the scenery.




There’s a yellow building nearby—unless you pay attention, you might think it’s a restaurant?! But it’s actually a restroom, XD. Walking around the salt fields, I wasn’t sure what kind of scenes I’d capture. I’d say I saw people taking better photos than mine—I was just here for a casual visit.






As I walked around, I spotted this white building, with a vast sea on one side. Maybe if you pause for a moment, feel the sea breeze, you might spot a migratory bird flying overhead.




Scenes with people in them are always more complex. This complexity might stem from not knowing how best to capture them. I saw many photography enthusiasts focusing on these scenes, and I joined their ranks. After all, there’s not much going on during the day here, especially for this location.




Isn’t that salt-sweeping motion especially captivating? The shutter clicks away nonstop, as if such a scene is something rarely encountered after a long, long time. Learn to slow down, observe the little things in life we seldom notice, and you might discover something completely different.




Gently, behind the sweat, silently, there’s a sense of fulfillment in the heart. There’s a kind of happiness, a kind of contentment, that’s found in such simplicity.






It’s not very big, not as large as I’d imagined, but it’s enough for a family to spend an hour here. Barefoot on the land, stepping on textures you’ve never touched before, the granular salt and water rippling over your soles—you’ll remember this place, and the people drying salt under the sun. Looking forward to next time, hopefully, meeting here in the evening.

Author:[Enjoy Life Without Boredom. Gui Xiaosun]

[Zhainajiao Salt Fields]

Address:Zhainajiao, Yonghua Village, Beimen District, Tainan City