Region's ecosystem and cultural heritage boosting tourism

The Yuncheng Salt Lake, a wetland area in the Yellow River Basin, in Shanxi province, becomes colorful in warm temperatures because of algae growth. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY

Located in North China's Shanxi province, the Yuncheng Salt Lake has long been the focal point of the city's culture and economy. It is estimated that locals have consciously harvested salt from the lake for more than 4,600 years.

But now, it has completed the transformation from a salt production pond and an industrial zone to a tourist park and an ecological protection area.

Yuncheng Salt Lake, known as Hedong Salt Pond in ancient times, with a total area of 132 square kilometers, is the largest lake in Shanxi province.

Whooper swans at the salt lake on Jan 6, 2024. YAN XIN/FOR CHINA DAILY

In the past, Yuncheng thrived because of its abundant salt resources. Yuncheng salt was traditionally harvested for culinary use, through a five-step process that the Shanxi province has officially recognized as a piece of the region's intangible cultural heritage.

Since the 1980s, producers have abandoned this process and pivoted toward industrial harvesting.

But now, it faces challenges due to overexploitation and pollution. In September 2020, Yuncheng municipal government completely stopped its industrial production activities at the salt lake.

New couples take wedding photos along the bank of the salt lake on June 5, 2024. YAN XIN/FOR CHINA DAILY

Today, most travelers come to marvel at the landscape's surreal charm. Yuncheng Salt Lake is filled with sulfates, which support a lush ecosystem. In the summer, algae blooms turn the water technicolor thanks to Dunaliella salina, an algae species that changes color when it reacts with salt. In winter, when the temperature dips below-5 C, the salt forms crystals of mirabilite, transforming the landscape into a twinkling winter fantasy.

Tourists visit the Hedong Lake Salt Museum in Yuncheng, Shanxi province, on July 19, 2024. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY

Now, Yuncheng makes every effort to promote the development mode of "culture+tourism+ecology" to fully show the unique charm of the salt lake.

Locals hope that the influx of visitors interested in marveling at the salt lake can also help inspire the preservation of local salt harvesting traditions, and of the rich ecosystem that has given rise to an extraordinary natural beauty.

Workers display the five-step salt production process, which Shanxi province has officially recognized as a piece of the region's intangible cultural heritage, at the salt lake on June 17, 2019. XUE JUN/FOR CHINA DAILY

A little girl is attracted by the exhibits at the Hedong Lake Salt Museum on July 19, 2024. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY

Chefs make local food – gourmet donuts – at a market in Yuncheng on July 20, 2024. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY

Visitors experience making sculptures out of salt at the Hedong Lake Salt Museum on July 19, 2024. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY