That part of China is the Dead Sea?

There are two places known as the "Dead Sea of ??China". One is Yuncheng, Shanxi, and the other is Daying, Sichuan. First let’s talk about Sichuan Daying. I have never been there, but it was introduced in the news. Daying in Sichuan dug a well with salt water in it, pumped the salt water up, and then built a super large swimming pool where people can float in the water. Haha, this is Daying's "Dead Sea". Let’s talk about Yuncheng, Shanxi, a city that has been famous for its salt production since ancient times. Its salt lake is naturally formed, and there are salt fields here for generations. Its salt culture has also been passed down. At least the Chishen Temple next to the salt lake can be used as a representative of the local salt culture. .

Sichuan Daying criticized Yuncheng as not being China’s Dead Sea for three reasons: First, the Salt Lake in Yuncheng is a lake, not a sea, so it cannot be counted as the Dead Sea. Second, because the CCTV News Broadcast once called Sichuan Daying the "Dead Sea of ??China", it became a household name and its popularity was even higher. Third, it is said that Sichuan Daying registered the trademark "China's Dead Sea". So, let me try to speak for the Dead Sea in Yuncheng from these three aspects.

Let’s talk about the Dead Sea first. The Dead Sea is the lowest body of water on earth, with an average water level of about 400 meters below sea level. It is an inland salt lake located between Israel and Jordan. Note that the real Dead Sea is also an inland salt lake, haha~~~~ So it is precisely the special form of the inland salt lake that makes Yuncheng Salt Lake more characteristic of the Dead Sea.

Yuncheng Salt Lake has produced salt since ancient times, which has the same function as the Dead Sea. Moreover, the two methods of producing salt are almost the same, and both are naturally formed. Although it was not the salt season when I went there, the white salt accumulated on the shore in the distance was clearly distinguishable. Due to the low price of salt now, the salt lake mainly produces saltpeter, which is used in the manufacture of washing products, so many salt fields belong to the Nanfeng Group. Shanxi merchants are famous throughout the country, and selling salt is one of their ways of doing business. Yuncheng should have been known to the world for its reputation long ago. Obviously, the spread history of Yuncheng Salt Lake is earlier than the history of Sichuan Daying News Network.

The Health City on the edge of the Salt Lake is more like a luxurious and elegant hotel. Its main projects are salt water floating and black mud bathing. We know that the real Dead Sea also has black mud baths. At this point, the so-called Dead Sea in Daying, Sichuan should be impossible. The salt water from its wells cannot produce black mud. It’s just that the price of salt water floating and black mud bathing is not cheap. You can’t enjoy it without one or two hundred yuan.

Daying is indeed better at finding greater business opportunities through registered trademarks. However, this method may not truly achieve the status of "China's Dead Sea". At least, historically speaking, it couldn't. Yuncheng Salt Lake has been naturally formed since ancient times. People here make a living by producing salt, so they naturally have their own gods to worship. There is a pool temple on the hillside beside the salt lake, which is dedicated to the gods related to salt. In ancient times, incense was flourishing here, but now it is dilapidated. Although the old lady guarding the gate only charged us half of the ticket price, the 5 yuan per person felt a bit not worth it. After all, the Chishen Temple was deserted, there were only four of us, and signs of dilapidation were everywhere. Only the long staircase entering the door still shows a bit of its former glory.

Going through the arch wall is the main hall of Chishen Temple, with two side halls next to it. The doors of all the temples are closed, and there are no statues of gods inside. There are a lot of wood piled up. It seems that the temple is being renovated.

Chi Temple and Salt Pond are dependent on each other, and both are representatives of Yuncheng’s ancient salt culture. As for the dispute between Yuncheng and Daying over the Dead Sea in China, its facts must be judged, because history and physical geography explain everything