Zigong
A city in Sichuan where giant glowing lanterns, a thousand years of salt wells, and real dinosaurs all share the same streets.
Zigong (่ช่ดก) is one of China's great surprises โ a mid-sized Sichuan city with an outsized story. It lit the world's lanterns, drilled the planet's first deep wells for brine and natural gas, and sits atop one of the richest dinosaur fossil beds ever found. Here are five ways in.
Discover Zigong
Lantern Festival
The dazzling Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival โ colossal illuminated sculptures that draw millions every spring.
Explore โSalt City
A thousand years of well-salt ingenuity, from the record-breaking Shenhai Well to the museums that tell the story.
Explore โDinosaurs
A world-class fossil site and a museum built right over the dig โ Zigong is a genuine Jurassic treasure trove.
Explore โFor Kids
Dinosaurs, lanterns, parks and hands-on fun โ Zigong is a brilliant city to explore with children.
Explore โTech & Innovation
From ancient deep-drilling engineering to modern industry โ a city that has always tinkered with the future.
Explore โThe city in pictures
Photography placeholders โ real photos coming soon.