01Food District
Aiye Ancient Town
艾叶古镇
All Ages
Admission
Free entry.
Typical Visit
1.5-2.5 hours
Quick Facts
Ticket
CNY 25 adult ticket.
Hours
08:30-17:30; ticketed entry is listed to 17:00.
Transport
No metro. City buses including 3, 5, 7, 31, and 35 serve the Shenhai Well (燊海井) area; taxi or DiDi is simpler from the old center.
Duration
1-1.5 hours
Best Time
Year-round; mornings are easier for pairing with the Salt Industry History Museum
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Understand what makes the well important
Shenhai Well is not just an old courtyard. It is a deep salt well tied to brine extraction, natural gas use, and traditional salt production in Zigong.
Tip:The value is the industrial process, not a large scenic landscape.
2
Start with the main well structure
Look at the tall derrick-like frame, wellhead, and old equipment before moving to the boiling and display areas.
Tip:Seeing the machinery first makes the later exhibits easier to follow.
3
Connect the site to salt boiling
Use the displays to understand how brine was lifted and turned into salt. If a demonstration or explanation is available, prioritize it.
Tip:This site is strongest when you understand the sequence from well to salt.
4
Keep expectations practical
The visit is compact and old-industrial. It is best for travelers interested in history, engineering, or Zigong's identity as Salt Capital.
Tip:It is not a theme park and should not be judged as one.
5
Pair it with the museum, not a far side trip
Combine Shenhai Well with the Salt Industry History Museum or Old Salt Field 1957 for a clear salt-history route inside Zigong.
Tip:This pairing gives the day a stronger theme and avoids wasted city transfers.
Highlights
- Historic deep salt well tied to Zigong's salt industry
- Visible well equipment and traditional production setting
- Good companion stop after the Salt Industry History Museum
- Compact visit that fits into a half-day route
- Useful for visitors interested in engineering history
Insider Tips
✦Go after reading the basic salt-history context or use an on-site explanation.
✦Do not leave it for the final hour of the day.
✦Use taxi or DiDi if bus transfers are inconvenient.
✦Wear shoes that can handle older stone and courtyard surfaces.
✦Pair it with a nearby meal rather than treating it as a stand-alone day.
More Zigong Attractions
02Cultural Stop
Chinese Lantern Museum
中国彩灯博物馆
All Ages
Admission
Free entry with reservation.
Typical Visit
45-90 minutes
03City Guide
Zigong Colored Lantern Park
自贡彩灯公园
All Ages
Admission
Free park entry. The Chinese Lantern Museum inside is also free with reservation.
Typical Visit
30-60 minutes for the park; add 45-90 minutes for the museum
04City Guide
Zigong Dinosaur Museum
自贡恐龙博物馆
All Ages
Admission
Temporarily closed as of June 7, 2026. Standard World Geopark ticket reference: CNY 40.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours after reopening
05City Guide
Fantawild Dino Kingdom
自贡方特恐龙王国
All Ages
Admission
Date-based one-day tickets. Regular adult-ticket planning number: CNY 230; selected 2026 weekend promotions have listed CNY 199.9 standard and CNY 299 for 1 adult plus 1 child.
Typical Visit
Full day
06Historic Walk
Fushun Confucian Temple
富顺文庙
All Ages
Admission
Confucian Temple CNY 30, West Lake free, combined temple-and-lake ticket CNY 40. Lower promotional prices can appear on selected ticketing dates.
Typical Visit
1.5-2.5 hours