Shiyang, one of the earliest historical and cultural towns of Yunnan Province, is 35 kilometers northwest of Dayao County, Chuxiong Prefecture. It is known for its “salt culture” and Confucian culture.

The salt production can date back to the West Han Dynasty (202 B.C-9 A.D), and it was most booming in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties when the salt output could meet the demand of over one million residents of the counties of Yao’an, Yongren, Huaping and Xiangyun etc. 

Lots of traders and horse caravans came to Shiyang in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), making it an important stop on the South Silk Road. The Confucian Temple of Shiyang, located at the foot of Xingling Mountain, was first built in Hongwu Period of the Ming Dynasty. Enshrined in the temple is a 2.3-metre-tall copper statue of Mr Confucius, weighing of 2,500 kg.