Little Door Restaurant Introduction
Walking on the trails of Xiaomen Islet, you can see the local characteristics of Penghu, including the stone gods used for warding off evil. You will also encounter the unique agricultural cultural landscape of the Penghu Archipelago known as "Cai Zhai," also referred to as "Zhai Nei" or "Wei Zi." This involves using stone walls to shield crops from wind and protect farmland. Most Cai Zhai are constructed with locally sourced basalt blocks, though in areas abundant in water, some use reed as windbreaks. The construction method of Cai Zhai is quite special, utilizing basalt and pebbles that are sun-dried to remove impurities. Large stones serve as the foundation while smaller stones fill in the gaps. During the stacking process, no cement or lime is used; instead, the angular edges of the stones interlock, forming a sturdy windbreak wall. This technique, while seemingly rough, is effective in withstanding strong northeast monsoons. In the Cai Zhai, crops grown in spring and summer mainly include pumpkin, Penghu cucumbers, and Penghu beans; during autumn and winter, crops like cabbage, tomatoes, and edible chrysanthemum are commonly planted. Besides seasonal vegetables, the primary crop cultivated is sweet potato, locally referred to as "Zai Mu." However, the technique behind Cai Zhai requires a long time to master, and as sourcing materials becomes more difficult, this traditional craftsmanship is gradually being lost. Nowadays, modern Cai Zhai are often constructed with different materials.
Xiaomen Caizhai
Xiao Men Cai Zhai
