最後更新／Last Updated：2024-12-23
Beimen, located in the northwestern coastal region of Tainan, is the most developed township for the salt production industry in Taiwan. In the past, nearly every household relied on salt production for their livelihood. Today, it has further developed into a major festival that uses salt as a medium.
In 2002, due to climatic limitations, Taiyen's (Taiwan Salt Corporation) attempts to reduce production costs and increase competitiveness failed, leading to the closure of all salt fields. This marked the end of an industry that had lasted over three centuries, dating back to the Dutch colonial period. However, the widespread salt field landscapes and related history have been preserved as cultural heritage.
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◦ History of Beimen
Over three hundred years ago, Beimen was mostly submerged. Due to its deep harbor and offshore sandbanks that protected against waves, it became the best gateway to Tainan Prefecture. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, this sandbank island was called "Beimen Islet." According to maps from the Daoguang period, Beimen Islet gradually connected to the mainland due to long-term sedimentation. After this "landification," Beimen became the homeland of salt fields and the base for the aquaculture industry.
◦ Kungshen Wangye's Salt for Peace Festival
In the early days, Tainan's coastal area had seven sandbanks shaped like large fish floating on the sea. People at the time named the area "Kunshen," using "Kun," which means large fish. In 2004, the Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Administration organized an event that combined the local sandbank scenery with the Wangye belief at the Nankunshen Daitian Temple. Utilizing Beimen's significant salt production industry as a medium, they created the " Kungshen Wangye's Salt for Peace Festival," symbolizing good fortune and warding off evil, thus revitalizing the salt-making culture.
Upon entering the festival venue, you are greeted by impressive piles of salt shining under the sun on both sides. It was heartwarming to watch the child meticulously recording his observations beside the salt hill.
The rituals and ceremonies on Blessing Avenue left a deep impression. The priests, lined up in a row, recited scriptures to bless the salt, endowing it with the power to ward off evil and purify homes. This blessed salt was then used by people to cleanse and invite good fortune.
The most popular event of the Salt for Peace Festival is the " Cast Moon Blocks Challenge." Over two days, participants compete to toss the most Saint throws, with the winner receiving a grand prize of NT$168,888 prepared by the temple. Will this prize amount be surpassed this year?
◦ Attractions in Beimen
01｜Nankunshen Daitian Temple
With a history spanning over three centuries, Nankunshen Daitian Temple's impressive five-gate archway, with its grand red pillars, alone demonstrates its thriving worship activity.
According to legend, at the end of the Ming Dynasty, a Wangye boat drifted to Nankunshen. Fishermen enshrined the five Wangye deity statues from the boat in a thatched hut for public worship. Over time, the temple's popularity grew, becoming the center of Wangye worship in Taiwan. Today, it is recognized as a three-star attraction by the internationally renowned Michelin Green Guide. As the main Wangye temple, over 20,000 branch temples across Taiwan trace their origins to Nankunshen Daitian Temple.
Nankunshen Daitian Temple Opening Hours: 0730-2100 No. 976, Kunjiang, Beimen Dist., Tainan
02｜Beimen Crystal Church
Completed in 2014, the Beimen Crystal Church is situated at the intersection of Zhoubei Salt Fields and Zhongzhou Salt Fields. The distinctive salt field scenery in the vicinity served as the inspiration for the church's architecture. It showcases white and translucent colors resembling salt crystals, along with the depiction of salt mounds. This design has made it a popular attraction with an exotic feel.
I intended to enter the church to capture the changing light and shadows, but unfortunately, I was informed that it was booked for a private event that day. It seems that visiting the Beimen Crystal Church requires a bit of luck!
Beimen Crystal Church Opening Hours Summer: 0930-1730 Winter: 0900-1700 No. 200, Beimen, Beimen Dist., Tainan
03｜Beimen Salt Washing Factory
The older generation of Beimen residents mostly worked in salt production, so Beimen has preserved many landscapes and sites related to the salt industry, such as salt fields and larger salt washing factories. The Beimen Salt Washing Factory was built during the Japanese colonial period. It was one of the four major crushing and washing salt factories at the time and is the only remaining salt industry relic after World War II.
The former factory has now been transformed into a multi-functional exhibition hall, showcasing salt production equipment on one side and featuring a sea salt cultural store on the other. Walking through the store, I noticed that about 70% of the visitors had at least one piece of brine essential oil soap in their shopping baskets, making me wonder if it is particularly good for washing.
Beimen Salt Washing Factory Opening Hours: 0830-1730 No. 187, Beimen, Beimen Dist., Tainan
04｜Beimen Visitor Center
The Beimen Visitor Center is converted from the warehouse buildings of the Beimen Salt Washing Factory. Its bright and colorful painted walls have made it a popular spot for wedding photography. What I like most is the multimedia experience inside the visitor center, which offers interactive ways to learn more about Beimen.
Beimen Visitor Center Opening Hours: 0900-1730 No. 200, Beimen, Beimen Dist., Tainan
05｜Beimen Qian Lai Ye Grocery Store
Beimen Qian Lai Ye Grocery Store gained fame as a filming location for a popular TV drama. Originally, it was a welfare club for Taiwan Salt Corporation workers. When the Beimen Salt Fields ceased production, the welfare club also closed. In 2003, an architect who studied in France renovated the space using discarded tiles, shells, and oyster shells from the local area, giving Beimen Qian Lai Ye Grocery Store a new, distinctive character.
If you enjoy well-designed nostalgic foods and traditional toys, or want to buy souvenirs with Taiwanese elements for foreign friends, Beimen Qian Lai Ye is a place with plenty of choices.
Beimen Qian Lai Ye Grocery Store Opening Hours: 0900-1730 No. 187, Beimen, Beimen Dist., Tainan
06｜Jingzaijiao Tile-Paved Salt Fields
With a history of over 200 years, Jingzaijiao Tile-Paved Salt Fields is the first salt field in Beimen and the oldest existing tile-paved salt field site in Taiwan. The "tile-paved salt fields" involve laying fragments of pottery tiles on the soil layer of the crystallization ponds to separate the soil from the salt, allowing for the collection of pure coarse salt. The tile-covered salt fields create a mosaic-like landscape, and the aerial footage captured by drones is absolutely stunning!
Getting closer to the tile-paved salt fields offers a different kind of enjoyment. Many visitors bring their children here to let them experience the process of piling and drying salt. Watching the kids play joyfully brings happiness to the adults as well.
In the evening, the salt fields become an excellent spot for watching the sunset.
Jingzaijiao Tile-Paved Salt Fields Opening Hours: 0900-1900 Salt Fields Restoration in the Southwestern Suburbs of Beimen District, Tainan
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◦ Other Areas in Tainan
➤ Tainan ◦ Guantian | The Land of Water Caltrops with a Touching Story