Still, the Stone Monkeys of Chiayi (2026)

In Chiayi’s riverbeds, every stone holds the whispers of time and the soul of the land. Seven decades ago, Zhan Long first carved life into silent rock—shifting from tombstone engraving to breathing art, giving birth to Chiayi’s iconic stone monkey tradition. His successor, a second-generation sculptor, wove family heritage and deep cultural emotion into each chiseled form, transforming the stone monkey into a living emblem of the city. Now, a fresh wave of self-taught creators reimagines this ancient craft, ensuring it not only survives but thrives—reborn in every new hand, a testament to the enduring heartbeat of tradition.