1988 Trip to City of Zigong, Sichuan

5. Xinhai Salt Well, Zigong

The Xinhai Well, in the salt site of Zigong, drilled to a depth of 1,001.42 meters deep (about 3,000 feet), by using the percussion drilling method accomplished entirely by hand in 1835, was the first deep well more than 1,000 meters deep in the world. It became the pride in the world well drilling history and tribute to the Chinese men who created it. This well has been exactingly recreated as it was constructed in 1835 and sits just outside of the Salt Museum. It was fascinating to see this site. It has been very well reconstructed using the old techniques of construction. We thought it well worth the visit. We visited there in 1988.