Tsai Ting-lan Jinshi Hall Introduction
Cai Tinglan is the first scholar of Penghu, originally named Cai Chongwen, and Tinglan is his nickname. Scholars refer to him as Mr. Qiuyuan. He became a scholar in 1845, making him not only the first scholar from Penghu but also the only one. Because of this, Cai Tinglan's success promoted the academic atmosphere in Penghu. He also taught for many years at various academies such as Chingwen and Yinxin in Tainan, as well as at the Wenshi Academy in Penghu, making significant contributions to the development of education in Penghu. Cai Tinglan's notable literary work includes "Hainan Miscellany," which he wrote in 1835 after being stranded in Vietnam due to a typhoon, documenting his maritime adventures and the culture of Vietnam. The book has been published in Russian, French, Japanese, and Vietnamese editions. The Scholar's Residence was constructed by Cai Tinglan the year after he became a scholar, next to his ancestral home for the purpose of ancestor worship. The building occupies an area of approximately 51 square meters and is roughly square-shaped, featuring a traditional Penghu residence design with rooms on all four sides and a courtyard in the center. The central doorframe has a basalt stone plaque inscribed with the words "Scholar's Residence." Notably, the roof of the side room uses the swallowtail ridge style, which reflects the uniqueness of official residences and is rarely seen in Penghu homes. On the east side of the Scholar's Residence is an old house, which is the birthplace of Cai Tinglan, with a doorframe inscribed with the words "Qiongji Garden," indicating that the Cai family migrated from Qionglin in Kinmen. Inside the main hall, there is a plaque presented collectively by the former and current judges of Penghu, inscribed with "Benefactors of the Hometown and Country," honoring his contributions to disaster relief in Penghu.
