【Taiwan’s Leisurely Micro-Trip】Spectacular Sights and Wine Aroma Brew the Magic of Matsu

Written and photographed by Yu Zhengzhe; compiled by Yang Yuzhen

 

Sharing photos resonates with fellow locals

Cao Yifeng, an administrator at the Matsu Story House and a native of Daping Village in Juguang Township, Matsu, grew up in the picturesque Dapu Village before moving to Taiwan for over a decade of work. One day, he noticed that his hometown’s unique scenery was gradually changing or even disappearing. So he decided to use his camera to record Matsu’s landscape every time he returned. “At first, aside from collecting beautiful scenery, the most important thing was to let my mother back in Taiwan see everything about Matsu through her computer. Gradually, I started posting photography and written works on my blog, which unexpectedly became a hub for Matsu natives living in Taiwan to connect. That was something I never expected,” Cao Yifeng said. Since taking up photography in 2009, he has filled several 2TB hard drives with photos.

As an administrator at the Matsu Story House, he also takes time to take commemorative photos for visitors. He says that since many guests are visiting Matsu for the first time—or may only get the chance once in their lives—it’s meaningful to capture their moments at the Matsu Story House. It not only serves as a keepsake but also promotes Matsu in an alternative way. If you’re in Matsu, I wholeheartedly recommend visiting the Matsu Story House in Nangan to meet Cao Yifeng. Listen to his stories and let him help you preserve wonderful memories of your Matsu trip.

Home-brewed traditional wine preserves local flavors

Matsu’s traditional rice wine is famous across Taiwan, a trusted companion for enduring the cold in the island’s traditional fishing villages. Drinking a cup before winter fishing warms the body and keeps the chill away. But aside from visiting the Matsu Distillery, you can also head to Siwei to meet Brother Huang Kewen and brew your own bottle of traditional wine, while experiencing the unique charm of rice wine lees face masks.

A native of Matsu, Huang Kewen established the “Lin Yihuo Workshop” within his grandfather’s house, setting up his own lab to cultivate Matsu’s unique red yeast strain. He says he’s grateful for the funding provided by the Council for Economic Planning and Development back then, which allowed him to study and give the traditionally orally passed-down rice wine brewing process a scientific foundation. From there, he cultivated and refined different yeast strains, enabling visitors to brew traditional wine using the simplest methods. This not only adds fun to the trip but also allows them to take home a memento that promotes Matsu’s beauty—killing multiple birds with one stone.