On his first stop during the “We are in this together tour of the Hainan FTP” Hainan FTP online international communications event on October 23, Italian photographer Fabio Nodari visited the Yinggehai salt fields in Hainan’s Ledong County, seasoning his taste of cultural tourism on the island with a dash of salt.

Fabio takes in the view at the Sky Mirror Salt Field in Ledong County. (Photo: HIMC)

The Yinggehai salt fields, nestled between the mountains and the sea, are shielded from northerly winds and rain by the peaks of Jianfeng Ridge and blessed with highly saline sea water, ensuring the ample sunshine and adequate salinity required to make salt production here possible.

Fabio takes photos of the vintage salt on display at the Yinggehai Salt Culture Museum. (Photo: HIMC)

Fascinated by the stunning vista of the salt fields, Fabio couldn’t help but stop and admire the view. “Coming to these salt fields reminds me of the origin of the word ‘salary,’ which comes from the Latin word for salt, ‘salarium.’ In ancient Europe, salt was so precious and rare that the salary of some people was paid partially in salt,” remarked Fabio while taking in the view.

A bird’s eye view of the Yinggehai salt fields. (Photos: Fabio Nodari)

Later, Fabio explored the Yinggehai Salt Culture Museum, where a docent introduced the history and culture of salt in the area: “The Salt Culture Museum was built in 1964 and covers an area of 670 square meters. Here, in addition to learning about how salt is made and the three periods of the Yinggehai salt fields’ development, we can also learn about the history of struggle experienced by the youth here during the early days of the People’s Republic of China.” At the museum, Fabio was able to learn how salt is made here and the history and cultural connotations behind it, and even got the chance to sample the Shanlan rice wine produced specially for the Yingge Talang destination station on the Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway by the local Li ethnic group.

Fabio tries specially made Shanlan rice wine at the Yingge Talang destination station on the Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway. (Photo: HIMC)

Just 5 kilometers away from the Yinggehai salt fields along the Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway stands the newly constructed Yingge Talang destination station, a popular attraction featuring a guesthouse made up of boat-shaped houses characteristic of the local Li people. Here, Fabio deployed his camera drone to take stunning aerial photos and footage of the station, visitor center, boat-shaped houses, and surrounding area.

Fabio takes photos of the boat-shaped houses at the Yingge Talang destination station. (Photo: HIMC)

“In Mandarin Chinese, the words for “leisure” and “salt” are actually homophones. So, if you want to relax a little, come to this beautiful place and add a bit of salt to your leisurely excursion,” concluded Fabio, extending an invitation to the world through the camera lens. 

The boat-shaped houses at Yingge Talang destination station. (Photos: Fabio Nodari)

（Sponsored by the China Internet Development Foundation and jointly organized by Hinews and the Hainan International Media Center）