Maple Leaves Tobacco Pavilion Introduction
When mentioning tobacco kilns, many people's first impression is Fenglin, but Ruysui was once a production area for tobacco leaves. The processed tobacco leaves from the tobacco kilns are sent to Fenglin for sale. Along the way to Hongye Hot Springs, hidden in a small alley opposite a convenience store, are numerous tobacco kilns. Layers of moss cover the black tiles, and the weathered red brick walls and wooden boards are adorned with thought-provoking new poems and artworks. Strolling through the alleys allows travelers to reminisce about the glorious history of tobacco production in Ruysui. During the Japanese colonial period, tobacco leaves were also known as green gold and were a highly valuable crop. Initially, only the Japanese had the rights to produce tobacco and hired locals to grow and cure the leaves. After World War II, the tobacco kilns used for curing and storing tobacco leaves were either gifted to tenant farmers by the owners or distributed by gentry serving as local leaders (similar to modern-day neighborhood chiefs). Today, only 14 relatively intact tobacco kilns remain in Ruysui, and some have fallen into disrepair, with rooftops used for smoke ventilation and the main structures showing signs of decline. Travelers visiting should exercise caution.
