------Dynasty and set up the Taiwan Prefecture and Jhuluo, Taiwan, and Fengshan Counties; Chiayi City was the capital of Jhuluo County.1787- Qing Dynasty, Gaozong commended the bravery of Jhuluo residents for guarding the city and bestowed the name Chiayi ¹Å¸q, meaning commending the martyrdom; Chiayi is the only city in Taiwan named personally by an emperor.
Chaiyi City was developed rather early. The Dutch left behind the Red-Hair Well and Red-Hair Reservoir. In the Cheng Cheng-gong Era (Ming Dynasty), camps were set up at the settlement areas, which congregated into tribes. In Kangxi 43, Qing Dynasty (1704), the capital of Jhuluo County was set up in todays Chiayi City. Wooden fences were built to protect the city, which were the earliest city walls in Taiwan.In the Japanese Colonial Period, the Japanese government set up an office in Chiayi City in 1895 to manage Chiayi County. This was the beginning of Chaiyi Citys prosperity.
Tourism
¡EThe famous annual (Stone Monkey) Stone Carving Festival
¡EThe annual Wind Music Festival
¡EAlishan Forest Railway Legends
¡EThe most precious Taiwan craft - Koji Pottery
¡EUnique historic landmarks, authentic traditional gourmet, interesting cultural scenic spots
Traveling in Chiayi City ¡V only by coming can you truly experience its charm.
------Chiayi City is a historic city with rich cultural heritage. It is renowned as the City of Paintings. It is also the front gate to one of the worlds three mountain railways -- the Alishan Railway, as well as the birthplace of Koji Pottery. It is a cultural city full of life and passion for art.
Unique historic landmarks, authentic traditional gourmet, and interesting cultural scenic spots give the city its personality and sensual charms.
------For several decades, Chiayi City has created the unique (Stone Monkey) carving arts and, each year, the Wind Music Festival has been a major celebration in the city. And Alishan Forest Railway Legend has become a renowned international festivity.
------In the postwar era, in 1945, Chiayi City was upgraded to a provincial municipal city, but it was downgraded to a county municipal city in 1950. In 1982, however, the city was restored to its status as a provincial municipal city .
Sources / Travel in Chiayi web http://travel.chiayi.gov.tw/EN/index.aspx ---------------------------------------TOP

------Chiayi County relies on mountains and faces the sea. Comparing with other counties and cities in Taiwan, it is the only one that has three great national scenic areas-- Alishan National Scenic Area, Silaya National Scenic Area, and Southwest Coast National Scenic Area. Chiayi County has majestic and broad scenery surrounded with hills and waters, a landscape of lakes and seascapes.
Toward the east, there is the hometown of Tsou tribe, Alishan. It is adjacent to Taiwan¡¦s highest mountain, the Jade Mountains. It has breathtaking sunrise and sunset, a sea of clouds, magnificent and lifting Sacred Tree, bright-colored and beautiful cherry blossoms, well-known Forest Train, hidden densely wooded, ancient roads, and ravine waterfall. Furthermore, the aborigine ¡§Tsou tribe¡¨ has engrossing mountains and forests cultures. The ancestry legends can increase the intensely interesting depth and the charm for Alishan, which wins the fame of ¡§the high green mountain and the steep blue ravine¡¨. In the past few years, the activities such as ¡§Impressions of Sunrise¡¨ and ¡§Life Legumes Seasons¡¨, which were held by the Chia-yi County govermment, even increase cultural elements for the natural tourism resources of Alishan, and create a brand-new experience to tourists .
Toward the west, there are the seashore and salt pan scenery of the Fishing Harbor¡¦s Oyster shed in Budai Township, Dongshih Township, etc. In the Haomeili Mangrove Conservation Area, which is along the coast of Budai, not only plants such as Kandelia Obovata and Avicennia marina are widely flourishing, but also diversified Herons are soaring through the sky. On the ebb, some creatures, such as Fiddler crab and mudskipper will come out from their nests. The wetland is full of interesting and exuberant nature, meanwhile, the abundant ecological environment and azure sea area are formed with attractive and leisurely scenery along the coast of Chiayi.
The Tropic of Cancer passes through 23.5 N and brings unique geography characteristics for Chiayi. In the summer solstice, there are some activities,
such as standing the eggs and standing a bamboo pole without having anyshadow in the Tropic of Cancer Solar Exploration Center on the Dragon BoatFestival day, which always fascinate whole families to come. In the recentyears, the fireworks on the National Day and the national Lantern Festivalwere successively held in Chiayi, and this let people have a resplendentbr and-new impression on Chiayi. The most anticipative things are even underconstruction. National Palace Museum, which is scheduled to open in 2010 and set up the goal ¡§Asian art culture center¡¨, has
simultaneously including setting up the station of the transport service of the Taiwan High Speed Rail. It is expected to attract domestic and foreign tourists visiting here and to be the burgeoning cultural tourist spots of south central Taiwan. The National Palace Museum collects and displays many cultural treasure of Imperial Palace. It will become one of the best Museums in Asia and open a front door striding forward to Asian area and connecting with the international stage.
Except for the new plans, Chiayi even has nostalgic reserves. Chiayi County is full of century temples with smoke from burning incense. And it is also the place holding the most prudent and joyously magnificent ceremony on the birthday of
each main Buddha. From the Mazu Pilgrimage to welcoming the Ke King in the Chongshuei Road, not only the local people wholeheartedly engage in these religious activities, but also these religious activities attract streams of people for pilgrimage from nation-wide. Simi larly, travelers from foreign land linger on without any thought of leaving, and they even praise profusely on the local curb service, century stores, such as Minsyong goose meat, Budai sea food, Dongshih oyster, Hsinkang candies, duck thick soup, etc.
These excellent delicacies even make gods and Buddha jump over the wall! In order share these featured attractions with all the tourists, we have integrated many cultural and religious spots an aveling routes to suit your need. we invite abundant natural and indulgence yourself in the relaxing atmosphere.
Sources / Chiayi Tourism web http://www.tbocc.gov.tw/en/index.asp ------------------------------------------TOP