Our 324th entry in our digital diary is our first time visit to Qigu Salt Mountain in Tainan, Taiwan.

Qigu Salt Mountain is a man-made mound composed entirely of salt, located in Qigu District, Tainan City. It was originally part of the Qigu Salt Fields, which were once the largest solar salt fields in Taiwan.

The salt mountain stands about six stories tall and covers an area of roughly one hectare, resembling a snow-covered peak due to its bright white salt surface.

Salt production in the area dates back to 1665, during the Kingdom of Tungning era. The Japanese officially established the salt drying pools in 1938, and they were expanded during the ROC era. The salt industry thrived for 338 years, but due to the rise of cheaper imported salt, the Qigu Salt Fields ceased operations in May 2002.

After the closure of the salt fields, the site was transformed into a recreational and educational park. Attractions include: Salt sculpture exhibition hall, Solar salt experience area, Antique machinery displays, DIY salt art activities, Bitter tofu flan making, Savory coffee-salt popsicles, Mascots placed atop the salt mountain for photo ops.

Located nearby, the Taiwan Salt Museum offers historical exhibits and interactive experiences. It was opened in 2005 to preserve and showcase Taiwan’s salt-making heritage.

You can reach Qigu Salt Mountain by car, scooter, or bus from central Tainan. Public transportation is available but may be infrequent, so renting a vehicle is often recommended for convenience.