Salt flowers have been formed during the intermittent crystallization–dissolution of salt crystals equilibrated with supersaturated  salt lake brines which encounter seasonal or yearly changes in a number of years or decades. They generally undergo repeated weathering and rinsing during the extended periods of their formation. Some resemble animals perfectly as cats, doggies, horses, camels, ostriches, crocodiles or even cobras; some resemble people vividly as titans, Buddha statues, commanders, soldiers, or even troops of beggars; some resemble places or buildings such as a harbor city, a tower forest, a palace or a stadium, skyscrapers, or even the uncovered tomb of snow-covered Terracotta Warriors; others resemble jewelry or food like pearls, sugar canes, or even boiled eggs…Some are incarnates of Chinese traditional love characters, including Cowherd and Weaver Maid, as well as Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen; others are representative of the love and caring of family members; still others remind us of military heroes such as the five heroic men on Mt. Langya…The variety of the forms or postures are innumerable, you name it.

While embraced at the vast salt flats of tranquil salt lakes, one may be captivated by the Mother Nature's superlative masterpieces, abandoned in the sad and graceful touch of the ancient love stories, or thoroughly lost in pondering the deity of the miniature worlds created by her. One may also be bewildered by her perfect integration of environments with human life.

A representative collection of the photography of salt flowers: