Yancheng Municipal People’s Government

Five or six thousand years ago, in the Neolithic Age, there were already ancestors of Yanfu people toiling, living and breeding along this narrow territory, conceiving the ancient civilization of Yancheng City, which is located bordering the Yellow Sea, along the banks of Huaihe River and on the bank of Sheyang Lake. In the era of the Warring States, ancestors of Yancheng people took advantage of their geographic location, and cooked seawater into salt. In the Qin Dynasty and Han Dynasty, people within the region cooked seawater to make a profit and connected the channels for transportation, boosting the industries of salt making and iron casting. At that time, this region was highly populated, and iron agricultural tools and cow plough techniques were prevalent. In the fourth year of Han Emperor Yuan Shou rule (119 B. C.), the imperial government set aside a portion, which borders the Yellow Sea, of the ancient Sheyang County and established a county on that territory. The county was named Yandu County because it was dense with salt making grounds and covered with web-like canals for salt transportation. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, Sun Jian, a native of Fuchun County (known today as Fuyang City, Zhejiang Province), was appointed as governor of Yandu County. It was a reward for his success in defeating Xu Chang and Xu Shao, who were father and son and peasant insurgent leaders. Sun Jian was the earliest governor of Yandu County recorded in the history book. His second son, Sun Quan, became king of Wu Kingdom. In the 7th year under the rule of Yi Xi, the Eastern Jin An Emperor (411 A. D.), Yandu County was renamed Yancheng because of the salt grounds across the city. Yancheng City thus became the city that produces salt.

Yangcheng City was established as a county because of salt, and grew into a city because of salt. In the long history of sea salt production, Yancheng has always been leading the way in technology, output and quality. The sea salt culture is both the reason for Yancheng City's reputation and the root and soul of the city's civilization.

As a national 4A tourist zone, at 1,500 Chinese acres, the Sea Salt Historic and Cultural Zone covers Sea Salt Museum, Salt Town Water Street, Water Town, Delicacies Street of Dongjin Road, Entertainment Street, Yandu Park, etc. In particular, the Sea Salt Museum is the only sea salt museum to display sea salt civilization in China approved by the State Council. The blue sea salt image shines brilliantly at night. Yandu Park, at 486 hectares, is located in the centre of Yangcheng, connecting the Chuanchang River. It is the largest integrated eco park in Yancheng, well demonstrate the features of “water, green, and salt”. The Water Street of Salt Town displays the traditional folklore and craftsmanship in Yancheng; while on a theatre boat, one can enjoy the Huai Opera that starts regularly at 19:30; in the Salt Yamun, Salt Ancestor’s Temple, Salt Chamber of Commerce, one can study the history and culture of sea salt, and watch the daily patrol of salt officials and case trials. On the shops along the river, one can try the local delicacies, and purchase the tourist cultural goods and local specialties. Every year, there are lantern shows in the Lantern Festival at the end of Spring Festival in China, which attracts large groups of tourists.

Open Time: 08:00—20:00

Water Street of Salt Town: daytime

China Sea Salt Museum: 09:00-17:00 Tuesday to Sunday (no entry allowed after 16:00); closed on every Monday (except national statuary vacations) and three days before Chinese Spring Festival.

Yandu Park: daytime

Center of Yancheng City

Bus Route: B2, 12

Self-Driving Route: (Yandu Park) Century Avenue Municipal Government Section-Kaifang Avenue (turn left)-Qingnian Road-destination

Self-Driving Route: (Sea Salt Museum, Salt Town Water Street) Century Avenue Municipal Government Section-Kaifang Avenue, turn right-destination

Tel: 0515-89871885 (Water Street)/0515-89902306 (Sea Salt Museum)

Weixin: chinaseasaltmuseum