🌄 Qigu Salt Mountain — Taiwan’s Glittering Remnant of the Salt Fields

#hellohalloween

Background
Qigu Salt Mountain (七股鹽山) is located in Qigu District, Tainan City, in southwestern Taiwan.  It used to be part of Taiwan’s largest salt-field operations which stretched back over 300 years.  When industrial salt drying ceased in 2002, what was left was transformed into this massive mountain of salt — a visual landmark made from the piled-up remains of the salt fields. 

Over time, Qigu Salt Mountain became more than just industrial waste: it’s been developed into a scenic attraction under the Southwest Coast National Scenic Area. Besides the salt “mountains”, there are accompanying facilities — a visitor centre, DIY workshops, snack stands, salt-infused souvenirs, playful photo-ops with seasonal mascots, etc. 

Why It’s Worth Visiting
• The scenery is special: The huge white peaks of salt contrast sharply against the blue sky, coastal landscape, and wetlands. From the top of the larger mound (about six stories tall), you get panoramic views over former salt fields, lagoons, and the coastal flats. 
• Unique food & local flavor: Try salty popsicles, salt-infused coffee, and rau douhua (soft tofu dessert) made with local brine. The gift shops sell salt-based skincare etc., which adds local flair. 
• Hands-on & fun: There are DIY workshops (e.g. making salt art), small amusement-type attractions, and playful installations (mascots on the salt mountain). For families or casual visitors, it’s easy to spend 1-2 hours wandering, taking photos, snacking, and just enjoying how odd + beautiful the place is. 

My Impression
Visiting Qigu Salt Mountain feels like stepping into a strange kind of landscape — part natural, part post-industrial art. The salt mounds glint in sunlight, the smell of sea breeze mixes with salt, and there’s something surprisingly poetic about piles of salt that once served a purpose, now resting peacefully as monuments. Walking up the stairs onto one of the peaks, seeing the flat salt fields laid out below, the lagoon off to the side, the wetlands in the distance — these are moments that stick.

The novelty is strong (salt ice cream! seasonal mascots! salty treats!), but what surprised me was how engaging the place is even without all that: simply watching the changing light over the salt, the color shifts at dusk, the texture of the salt underfoot, and how quiet parts of the site can feel. If you time it just before sunset, the glow on the salt is magical.

#hellohalloween

Post by Pingging | Oct 17, 2025