Guanfu Salt Farm and Hong Kong in the Song Dynasty (960-1279)

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to collect and compile the historical data of Guanfu Salt Farm, officially built by the Song Dynasty (960–1279) within modern Hong Kong territories, to reconstruct its history for the reflection of Hong Kong society of the time.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is largely based on identification and analysis of historical documents, including keyword search on electronic databases and verification with the original sources, with reference to archaeological findings when necessary.

Findings

This paper reconstructs the history of Guanfu Salt Farm based on documentary sources with reference to archaeological findings. English translation of Chinese sources is also provided when necessary.

Originality/value

There has been an absence of systematic compilation of historical data of Hong Kong during the Song Dynasty, which are limited in quantity and scattered across different sources. This paper seeks to fill the vacuum of knowledge about pre-colonial Hong Kong, with a more comprehensive reconstruction of the history of Guanfu Salt Farm.

Citation

Kung, C. (2021), "Guanfu Salt Farm and Hong Kong in the Song Dynasty (960-1279)", Social Transformations in Chinese Societies, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 52-67. https://doi.org/10.1108/STICS-12-2019-0019