Enjoy a Nostalgic and Artsy Tour in Cishan

　Cishan is Kaohsiung's “Banana Capital,” a town where you can embark on a nostalgic journey that blends retro charm and cultural creativity. At the town's only hand-carved seal shop, you can craft your own handmade stamp. Afterward, savor desserts in a historic house that embodies the allure of revitalized heritage architecture.

　Sinying Seal Shop（心影印房）is a century-old, family-run business specializing in hand-carved seals. The third-generation owner, Mr. Huang Ze-siang（黃澤祥）, carries on the legacy of his grandfather and father by preserving the art of pure hand engraving. All three generations joined Cifong Poetry Society（旗峰詩社）, where poetry writing and carving go hand in hand.

　Mr. Huang explains that mastering this craft requires proficiency in various calligraphy styles, with reverse lettering being the most challenging. Each seal is meticulously carved with a file, stroke by stroke. While machines have gradually taken over, the uniqueness of handmade engravings remains irreplaceable.

　Located near the old street, the Wind Rises Hotel（風起文旅民宿）occupies what was once the Dongyang Inn（東洋旅社）. It stands very close to the site of the now-demolished Siantang Theater（仙堂戲院）, a cultural hub in Cishan that hosted countless performance troupes and celebrities in the 1950s. To revive its former glory, the guesthouse owner initiated a restoration project. The blend of modern design with original elements like old tiles, terrazzo flooring, and vintage photos on the walls tells a story of bygone days.

　After exploring, head to Wu's Traditional Tofu Pudding（吳厝傳統豆花）for a delightful treat of sweet tofu pudding with adorable pig-shaped glutinous rice balls. Located in a red-brick ancestral home full of nostalgic charm, Wu's is the original home of Cishan's prestigious Wu family. Walking through its arched corridors feels like stepping into a time tunnel. It is a must-visit spot where architecture enthusiasts can admire the beauty of old structures while enjoying traditional desserts.

旗山文青懷舊遊
文/Winnie 攝影/Carter

走訪香蕉大城旗山，開啟一場文青懷舊遊程，在當地唯一手工刻印店刻下自己的印章，或在充滿韻味的老屋裡吃甜點，體驗老屋重生的魅力。

心影印房是一家百年手工刻印印章店，第三代黃澤祥傳承爺爺與父親，不只堅守純手工篆刻，祖孫三代也都是旗峰詩社成員，一手寫詩、一手雕刻。黃澤祥分享，手工刻印必須精通各種書法字體，尤其寫反字最困難，接著使用銼刀一筆一畫雕刻，儘管機器逐漸取代這門功夫，手工雕刻的獨特性是無可取代。

鄰近老街的風起文旅民宿，前身為東洋旅社，旅社旁曾佇立50年代旗山繁華指標仙堂戲院，接待過無數歌舞團及明星。為了重現往日風華，民宿負責人啟動老屋修復計畫，在現代設計中保留舊磁磚、磨石子地板，加上牆上的老照片，訴說往日時光。

逛累了，推薦到吳厝傳統豆花，在充滿懷舊風情的紅磚古厝中，品嘗可愛的小豬湯圓豆花。吳厝是旗山望族吳家的發源地，穿過一長串相連的拱門通道，彷彿走進時光隧道，吸引了無數建築愛好者來訪，品嘗點心外，也能細細品味老建築之美。