Maple Leaf Tobacco Building Introduction
When it comes to tobacco barns, many people's first impression is Fenglin, but Ruinsuite was once a production area for tobacco leaves. The processed tobacco leaves from the tobacco barns were sent to Fenglin for sale. Along the way to Hongye Hot Springs, in a small alley opposite a convenience store, several tobacco barns are hidden away, covered in layers of moss, with weathered red brick walls and wooden boards adorned with thought-provoking poetry and artwork. Walking through this small alley allows travelers to imagine the glorious history of tobacco production in Ruinsuite. During the Japanese colonial period, tobacco leaves were known as "green gold," a crop of great economic value. Initially, only the Japanese had the right to produce tobacco, employing locals to plant and cure the leaves. After World War II, the tobacco barns used for curing and storing tobacco leaves were gifted to farmers by the owners or distributed by the local gentry who acted as the baozheng (similar to today's village chiefs). Today, only 14 relatively intact tobacco barns remain in Ruinsuite, while some have fallen into disrepair, with roofs designed for smoke ventilation and the main structures showing signs of decline. Travelers are advised to exercise caution when visiting these sites.
