Last saltworks sifts into history

The last saltworks in Wenling in eastern China's Zhejiang province is to close. The Cang'ao Saltworks will be turned into a tourist center due to a shortage of land for construction. The saltworks was part of the area's economic success and an industry leader.

It was built in 1979 in response to a national appeal to develop the salt industry. The saltworks boosted the local economy as it adopted the share-holding cooperative system in 1994. The villagers further developed their salt-making techniques. After 20 procedures, 100 kilos of brine can make one kilo of salt. In 2002, the saltworks was permitted to switch to other production and the Wenling factory became history.

In this photo a worker makes salt at Cang'ao Saltworks in eastern China's Zhejiang province, July 10, 2012. [Photo/CFP]