1988 Trip to City of Zigong, Sichuan

1. Zigong Salt Museum

As early as the period of the Emperor Chang in the Eastern Han Dynasty (76-88 A.D.) well-salt production commenced in the Zigong area. The well-salt production began to take its initial shape in the Jin Dynasty, became famous throughout Sichuan in the Tang and Song Dynasties and was getting more prosperous in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It became one of the main sites of Sichuan during the reign of Yongzheng and Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty. In the years of Emperor Xianfeng and Emperor Tongzhi, it came into a period of great prosperity and the salt output took up more than half of that of Sichuan. Zigong became the center of salt making. We found it a fascinating museum. The many exhibits are well exhibited. The museum was established by the leaders of the CPC, headed by Deng Xiaoping in 1959. Just outside of the museum is the Xinhai Well has been rebuilt as it was originally constructed.