Zhounan Salt Fields

1. Zhounan Salt Fields were established in 1824. In 2001, all salt fields across Taiwan ceased operations due to national policy. In 2008, with the assistance of a group of veteran salt workers, we applied for the Ministry of Culture's Bureau of Cultural Heritage's "Industrial Cultural Heritage Regeneration" project, embarking on restoration and resuming sun-drying salt. Since 2009, we have received subsidies from the Chiayi County Local Cultural Museum, a commitment that has now spanned 18 years. 2. Zhounan Salt Fields are dedicated to innovative and sustainable development, breathing new life into traditional salt industry culture and disused salt pans. Through actual salt production and sun-drying, we operate on a dual track: by-appointment "environmental education" activities and "salt product sales," achieving a spectacular transformation and creating cultural value. In 2016, we received an Excellent Award in the National Environmental Education Award (Group Category). In 2021, our algae salt won the "Local Product Award" at the Regional Revitalization Grand Prix, organized by the Taiwan Regional Revitalization Alliance. In 2024, we were selected for the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Social Innovation Platform's "Social Innovation Selections" and recognized with the "Taste of Terroir Award" by UDN's 500 Dishes. 3. Zhounan Salt Fields produce natural sun-dried sea salt using artisan techniques, maintaining stable production and sun-drying operations. By integrating traditional salt production with modern technology and management, we implement a crucial strategy for preserving and re-presenting salt industry culture and salt field landscapes. During the restoration and resumption of sun-drying, we strive to preserve the historical texture of the original salt field structures while also addressing the public service facility needs for environmental education, and improving production efficiency and quality to meet contemporary societal consumer demands. 4. Zhounan Salt Fields cover an area of approximately 20 hectares. Only just over 2 hectares serve as the main salt production and sun-drying area, while the remaining 18 hectares are maintained as a wetland ecological environment that has naturally evolved since the salt fields ceased operations, attracting many winter migratory birds. We cultivate a wetland ecology that coexists with salt production and sun-drying, establishing an environmental education venue that is both humanistic and ecologically friendly. Furthermore, through our salt products, we communicate with consumers, using the "Water, Land, Wind, Sun, Human, Salt" equation to convey the important concept of "friendly interaction between humans and nature." 5. The operational and management rights for Zhounan Salt Fields were acquired by the Chiayi County Budai Port Culture Association (a non-profit organization) through a contract with the Chiayi County Cultural and Tourism Bureau, adopting a model of "leasing and public adoption." The association was officially registered in 2002, evolving from the Budai Port Cultural Workshop established in 1996. Initially, its activities primarily focused on cultural and historical research, publishing local periodicals, and promoting local knowledge. Later, it concentrated on in-depth work related to salt industry cultural heritage issues, with the aim of collaborating with local enthusiasts to cultivate local culture, improve quality of life, and enhance local value.