African desert wonders in Taiwan – a new hidden gem at a coastal abandoned salt field

Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Encountering the Red Sea in the desert is a spectacle usually only seen on Africa’s Skeleton Coast, but at the abandoned salt flats of Dingshan in Qigu District, Tainan, shallow seawater has accumulated and evaporated, creating salt fields with uniquely colorful landscapes. Due to its secluded location, this stunning hidden gem has unexpectedly become an adventure-worthy secret spot.

The Qigu coastal area was once an important hub for the salt industry, with salt fields of various sizes spread throughout the region. This hidden gem formed due to prolonged drought. After seawater was introduced into the abandoned salt fields and left to dry under the sun over a long period, it slowly evaporated, leaving behind highly concentrated brine that turned iron-red in color.

Some of the brine on the salt flats crystallizes into salt, which is collected into crystallization pools. Differences in terrain elevation and the irregular shapes of the crystals give the brine varying hues. Under the sunlight, a spectrum of colors and lines can be seen, with light and shadow interplaying to form a surreal landscape. Moreover, the site’s remote and hidden location has kept it largely undisturbed by human activity.