Dingbian salt lake: Where timeless beauty meets modern innovation

Huamachi Lake in Dingbian county boasts crystal-clear waters. [Photo/Yulin Daily]

Huamachi Lake in Dingbian county, Yulin, is a hidden gem of ancient allure. This salt lake, shaped over millennia, weaves a tapestry of rich history, stunning natural beauty, and captivating legends.

With a 2,000-year legacy of salt production, Huamachi is a vivid chronicle of historical change. Its significance was recognized as early as the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC-220), marking the dawn of salt extraction in this region.

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) marked a golden era for Huamachi's salt industry. Renowned for its large, plump grains, bright color, and rich flavor, the salt from Huamachi extended its reach beyond local needs, supplying regions including Ningxia and Gansu.

Huamachi’s natural beauty is a masterpiece crafted by nature. Spanning 4,500 mu (300 hectares) with an average depth of 0.1 meters, the lake’s vast, mirror-like surface reflects the sky and surrounding scenery, creating a dreamlike spectacle.

It is also a haven for migratory birds, which travel great distances each spring and autumn to rest and feed here.

Huamachi has experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent years, with residents transforming the saline land into thriving aquaculture ponds, cultivating South American white shrimp, and implementing innovative shrimp-crab co-culture practices.

Huamachi Lake is a colorful tapestry in summer. [Photo/Yulin Daily]