Human and cultural worker Lin Bao-Bao: On the islands of Matsu, a lot of villages built with stones are located on the mountain hills facing the ocean. People who left the homeland of Matsu said that the villages were declined. But these stone houses, with the wishes to protect cultural heritages, were later refurbished as libraries and tea houses… re-enriching the living space for the local people.

Nodes and the granite pathway: Constructed in East Min-Nan architectural style. The granite pathway and the short stone walls are incorporated into the natural landscape of the village. With green trees and grass, this place can also look very "Mediterranean".			Town planning studio: A studio affiliated under the Construction Bureau of the County Government; mainly responsible for the town planning and settlement preservations of the 4 towns and 5 islands.

Niu-Chiao Library
With deep explorations of the inner thoughts, I have found that the foundation of deep cultivation and finding the roots lies in the self-growth and development of the village itself. Niu-Chiao was the village where I grew up. We should combine all the efforts from the people and cultural and art workers to turn this stone-built village into the dreamland for art and culture. - Tsao Yi-Chiong

In 1993, Tsao Yi-Chiong read about a paragragh that said: if we didn't devote ourselves into the development of the community, Taiwan would be the most suitable place for immigration. This paragraph reminded Tsao that Matsu was actually in a similar situation. Therefore, he began campaigning on the idea of "living long in Matsu", bringing into Matsu the concept of settlement preservations and encouraging people to cultivate the land and the culture. After a series of cultural activities, Tsao found that the self-growth and development of the village would be the best way for deep cultivation and realizing the ideals.

Tsao Yi-Chiong, for the love of the East Min-Nan style stone houses, worked with other villagers to clean the houses, and "tried to revive them, to make them alive again, to combine them with interactions between people". They spent a lot of time and effort to turn the empty houses into tea houses, pubs and cafes, so that people can enjoy some quality time with friends at leisure. "We hope that all people in this village can participate in these activities." Tsao Yi-Chiong expected.

Cafes: A place to relax			Pubs: a place to enjoy some wine and quality time with friends

A pigsty turned into a cafe
In August 1998, Tsao Yi-Chiong worked with the head of the village Tsao Chang-Yuan, neighbors, friends and family and the soldiers, to improve the appearance of Niu-Chiao Village.

At that time, a grandma was trying to raise her pigs in a deserted sty. After Tsao Yi-Chiong talked with her, she was willing to provide the space for other purposes. During the process, Tsao worked with other people and took care of all the miscellaneous work. Finally, the would-be pigsty became a library, where everyone can come in, have a cup of tea and chat with friends.

In May 1999, Tsao asked the county government to find a balance between construction and the protection of human and cultural aspects; to look for the good but do not try to please people. "Only constructions that are based on human and culture can achieve sustainable development." He cares about community development and local cultures. Cultural issues were his focus and he hoped that he could help Matsu to gradually increase the quality of human and cultural aspects.

Some people described Tsao as the pioneer of the settlement preservation in Matsu. However, he simple thought that he made an interesting choice. He hoped that the example of Niu-Chiao could lead to the Renaissance in Matsu. However, some people in his hometown could not understand what he did. And they complained that he only paid attention to Niu-Chiao. Tsao explained to them that there happened to be some empty houses in Niu-Chiao, and that he wanted to use these empty houses in Niu-Chiao as a seed that could gradually revive the entire Matsu area. Later on, empty houses on islands such as Cju-Guan and Pei-Gan were re-used. "Judging from this perspective, we actually do not have any parochial geographical prejudices. It is just a beginning," Tsao said.

Private accommodation: a place to experience the beauty of Niu-Chiao			Tea houses: a place to enjoy tea and quality time with friends

What would you choose? Value or price?
7 old houses were refurbished in Niu-Chiao during 1998 to 2000. A lot of people think of the process as too slow. Tsao believes that this is not the job that can be done in one or two years but probably a lifetime. Take the Chang's house (the old administration office) as an example. This was the house that Tsao and other people wanted to refurbish. But later on, the Chang family re-discovered the beauty of the house and were willing to pay for the cose of the refurbishment. What is the meaning behind this? "People have cut off their relations. But in the end they returned, a bit like connecting themselves again to their hometown. In the future, anyone who wants to donate money to the refurbishment will want to come back to the place." Tsao said.

On a rainy day, Tsao Yi-Chiong walked with some visitors through the valleys between the stone houses. On passing one of the stone walls, he could not help but tell everyone, "This stone wall is alive. It breathes. The more you talk with it, the deeper your emotions is for it. This stone wall has passed the test of time, the tests of rain and wind….." Such natural expression of emotions was the power that has been carrying him through the difficult times.

"What we have been doing is not appealing at all. This has something to do with your choice. What have you chosen? Value or price?" Tsao apparently chose "value" and he obviously upset a lot of local people. But he pointed out firmly that "I cannot live my life again, nor can I repeat it. It only takes place once." In his opinion, the preservation job that lasts for a lifetime is certainly worthwhile.

Tsao looks a bit lonely when he walks among the stone staircases in Niu-Chiao. Quoting from his favorite poet: poetry is lonely, because it is on the middle of a long journey. This is what Tsao thinks about the old houses in the hometown. The old houses are also lonely and they are looking for a companion during the journey. Only until the companion answers their need do the old houses find a good solution to their existence.

Before the establishment of "Matsu Battlefield Administration Office" (the present Matsu Administration Office"), this was the center of administration for all islands in Matsu, witnessing the wars between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.			Matsu Art House: the place that is planned for meetings and gatherings for local art and cultural groups. The first floor is a complex space, which will be used to exhibitions or activities.