Red Leaf Tobacco Barn Introduction
When mentioning tobacco barns, many people's first impression is Fenglin, but Ruinsui was once a production area for tobacco leaves, with the processed tobacco leaves sent to Fenglin for sale. On the way to Hongye Hot Springs, hidden in an alley across from a convenience store, there are several tobacco barns, with layers of moss covering the black tiles, and the weathered red brick walls and wooden boards painted with thought-provoking modern poetry and artwork. Strolling through the alley allows travelers to reminisce about the glorious history of tobacco production in Ruinsui. During the Japanese colonial period, tobacco leaves, also known as "green gold," were a highly valuable crop. Initially, only the Japanese had the rights to produce tobacco and employed locals to plant and cure the leaves. After World War II, the tobacco barns used for curing and storing tobacco leaves were either gifted to tenant farmers by the owners or distributed by the local gentry serving as village headmen. Today, only 14 relatively intact tobacco barns remain in Ruinsui, and some have fallen into disrepair, with roofs used for venting smoke and the main structure showing signs of decay, so travelers should proceed with caution when visiting.
