Tsai Ting-lan Jinshi Residence Introduction
Cai Jinshi Residence in Xingren is located in Shangcun, Xingrenli, southeast of Magong City. It was built by Cai Tinglan, a Jinshi (the highest degree in the imperial examination) from Penghu, after his success in the examination, from the 26th year of the Daoguang reign (1846) to the present. Cai Tinglan, a descendant of the Cai family in Xingren, achieved the degree of Jinshi in the 24th year of the Daoguang reign (1844), becoming the first and only Jinshi in Penghu. Born in the 6th year of the Jiaqing reign (1801), he began his studies as a youth at the age of thirteen, later entered a school, and passed various exams, eventually becoming a student of Penghu Hall. He was known for his integrity and love of reading, and served as a lecturer at Chongwen Academy, Yixin Academy, and Wenshih Academy in succession. In the autumn exam of the 17th year of the Daoguang reign (1837), he was awarded the degree of Juren (the second highest degree). In the spring of the 24th year of the Daoguang reign (1844), he passed the metropolitan examination and was assigned to Jiangxi Province as a county magistrate. His official career mostly took place on the mainland, where he was promoted to Tongzhi. He passed away at his post due to illness in the 9th year of the Xianfeng reign (1859). Three years after obtaining his Jinshi degree, in the 26th year of the Daoguang reign (1846), he returned home to pay tribute to his ancestors and built the Jinshi Residence on the right side of the old house in Shuangtougu, to honor his status. The architectural features of the residence include a porch that is 4.5 meters wide and about 3.3 meters deep, with a recessed façade. The wing rooms are constructed in a horseback hard mountain style, with a hard mountain gable roof, which is the only example of a gable design in Penghu's residences. Other architectural styles and decorations within the residence are also quite exquisite. In 2013, after undergoing a 5-year restoration costing tens of millions of NT dollars, the "Cai Tinglan Jinshi Residence," a designated historical monument in Penghu County with a history of 167 years, was officially opened to the public. [Suggested visiting time] 1 hour.
Tsai Ting-lan Ji Sheng
