Chiayi facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about Chiayi City. For the neighboring county with the same name, see Chiayi County.

Quick facts for kids

Chiayi City

嘉義市

Ka-gi, Kagi, Chiai, Chia-i

City

Chiayi City

Clockwise from top left: Hinoki Village, Chiayi Confucius Temple, Fountain at the Lantan Reservoir, Chiayi City Sports Arena, Chiayi Municipal Culture Center, Chiayi Sun Shooting Tower, National Chiayi University

Flag

Logo

Nickname(s):

Peach City (桃城) or Jia City (嘉市)

Country

Republic of China (Taiwan)

Province

Taiwan Province (de facto dissolved)

Region

Southwestern Taiwan

First mentioned

1787

Renamed to Kagi

17 April 1895

Autonomous city

1930

Provincial city

25 October 1945

Downgraded to county-administered city

16 August 1950

Provincial city status restored

1 July 1982

Seat

East District

Districts

2 districts

East
West

Government

• Type

Chiayi City Government

Area

• Total

60.03 km² (23.18 sq mi)

Area rank

21 out of 22

Elevation

69 m (226 ft)

Population

(January 2023)

• Total

263,188

• Rank

18 of 22

• Density

4,384.3/km² (11,355.2/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+8 (National Standard Time)

Postal code

600

Area code(s)

ISO 3166 code

TW-CYI

Flower

Hong Kong orchid tree
(Bauhinia blakeana)

Tree

Hong Kong orchid tree

Chiayi City

"Chiayi" in Traditional (top) and Simplified (bottom) Chinese characters

Chinese name

Traditional Chinese

嘉義市

Simplified Chinese

嘉义市

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Jiāyì Shì
Bopomofo	ㄐㄧㄚㄧˋ ㄕˋ
Gwoyeu Romatzyh	Jiayih Shyh
Wade–Giles	Chia¹-i⁴ Shih⁴
Tongyong Pinyin	Jiayì Shìh
Yale Romanization	Jyāyì Shr̀
MPS2	Jiāyì Shr̀
IPA	[tɕi̯á.î ʂɻ̩̂]
Hakka
Pha̍k-fa-sṳ	Kâ-ngi-sṳ
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization	Gāyih Síh
IPA	[káː jìː si̬ː]
Jyutping	gaa1 ji6 si5
Southern Min
Hokkien POJ	Ka-gī-chhī
Tâi-lô	Ka-gī-tshī

Japanese name

Kanji

嘉義市

Hiragana

かぎし

Katakana

カギシ

Transcriptions
Revised Hepburn	Kagi-shi
Kunrei-shiki	Kagi-si

Chiayi (pronounced like "Jyah-ee"), officially known as Chiayi City, is a vibrant city in Taiwan. It is located in the southwestern part of the island, surrounded by Chiayi County. As of January 2023, about 263,188 people live here.

Chiayi is known for being the starting point of the Alishan Forest Railway. This railway takes you up to the beautiful Alishan National Scenic Area. The city has a warm, humid climate, especially in summer. You can still see many buildings and landmarks from when Japan ruled Taiwan.

What's in a Name? The History of Chiayi's Name

Chiayi City has had a few different names over time. Its first name was Tirosen, given by the native Hoanya people. When Chinese settlers arrived, they called it Tsulosan. This name was later shortened to Tsulo.

In 1787, the city was renamed Kagee (which means "commended righteousness"). This name was given by the Chinese Emperor to honor the citizens. They showed great loyalty during a rebellion. Later, during Japanese rule, the city was called Kagi. After Taiwan became part of the Republic of China in 1945, it was officially named Chiayi City.

A Look Back: The History of Chiayi City

Early Beginnings and First Settlers

Long ago, the area of Chiayi was home to the Hoanya aboriginal people. They called their land Tirosen. Later, Chinese immigrants came to Taiwan. In 1621, a leader named Yen Ssu-chi brought people to settle and farm this land.

Under Dutch and Ming Rule

From 1624, the Dutch controlled parts of Taiwan. Their records often mention Tirosen. In 1661, a Chinese general named Koxinga defeated the Dutch. He set up the Kingdom of Tungning. Chiayi was then part of Tien-Hsing County.

The Qing Dynasty Era

In 1683, the Qing dynasty from China took over Taiwan. They created Tsulo County, which included a large part of northern Taiwan. In 1704, the main town of Tsulo County moved to where Chiayi City is today. The town even had wooden walls for protection.

In 1786, there was a big rebellion led by Lin Shuangwen. The people of Tsulosan bravely defended their city. Because of their loyalty, the Qing Emperor renamed the city Kagee in 1787. This name means "praised for righteousness."

Japanese Rule and Big Changes

Chiayi City under Japanese rule

In 1895, Taiwan became a territory of Japan. The city was then called Kagi. A strong earthquake in 1906 destroyed most of the city walls. The Japanese government rebuilt the city, and businesses began to grow. By 1904, Kagi was one of the biggest cities in Taiwan.

In 1907, construction began on the Alishan Forest Railway. This special railway connects Chiayi to the famous Mount Ali. In 1930, Kagi became an official city.

Chiayi in the Republic of China Era

Chiayi City in 1946–1950

After Japan left Taiwan in 1945, Chiayi became a "provincial city" of the Republic of China. This meant it was an important city with its own government. However, in 1950, its status was changed. It became a "county-administered city" and was joined with Chiayi County. This change slowed down its growth.

Local leaders worked hard to get its special status back. In 1982, Chiayi City once again became a provincial city. Today, it is divided into two main areas: the East District and the West District.

Where is Chiayi City? Geography and Climate

Map of Chiayi (labeled as KAGI) and surrounding area (1944)

Map of the region including Chiayi (labeled as CHIA-I SHIH (KAGI) 嘉義市) (1950)

Map of the city of Chiayi (labeled as CHIA-I SHIH (KAGI) 嘉義市) (1950s)

Chiayi City is located on the flat Chianan Plain in southwestern Taiwan. To the east, you can see the Mount Ali mountains. To the west is the Chiayi Airport. The city is surrounded by Chiayi County.

The city is about 15.8 kilometers (9.8 miles) from east to west. It is 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles) from north to south. Its total area is about 60 square kilometers (23 square miles). Most of Chiayi City is flat, fertile land. The land gently rises from west to east. Chiayi is also very close to the Tropic of Cancer line.

Chiayi's Weather: A Humid Subtropical Climate

Chiayi City has a warm and humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, wet summers and mild, drier winters. Most of the rain falls from June to August. This is because of winds coming from the southwest. In fall and winter, winds from the northeast bring less rain. The air is humid all year round.

Climate data for Chiayi (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1968–present）
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	31.7 (89.1)	33.0 (91.4)	34.1 (93.4)	34.2 (93.6)	37.2 (99.0)	37.0 (98.6)	37.2 (99.0)	36.6 (97.9)	36.7 (98.1)	36.5 (97.7)	33.6 (92.5)	32.5 (90.5)	37.2 (99.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	22.5 (72.5)	23.0 (73.4)	25.4 (77.7)	28.4 (83.1)	30.9 (87.6)	32.8 (91.0)	33.4 (92.1)	32.8 (91.0)	32.1 (89.8)	30.1 (86.2)	27.6 (81.7)	23.9 (75.0)	28.6 (83.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)	16.8 (62.2)	17.7 (63.9)	20.2 (68.4)	23.5 (74.3)	26.3 (79.3)	28.3 (82.9)	28.9 (84.0)	28.4 (83.1)	27.4 (81.3)	24.9 (76.8)	22.0 (71.6)	18.4 (65.1)	23.6 (74.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	12.9 (55.2)	14.1 (57.4)	16.2 (61.2)	19.5 (67.1)	22.6 (72.7)	24.7 (76.5)	25.4 (77.7)	25.2 (77.4)	24.0 (75.2)	21.1 (70.0)	18.0 (64.4)	14.2 (57.6)	19.8 (67.6)
Record low °C (°F)	1.8 (35.2)	2.6 (36.7)	2.7 (36.9)	8.2 (46.8)	13.9 (57.0)	17.5 (63.5)	21.7 (71.1)	19.7 (67.5)	17.6 (63.7)	11.5 (52.7)	6.7 (44.1)	0.4 (32.7)	0.4 (32.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	27.5 (1.08)	44.9 (1.77)	53.0 (2.09)	86.6 (3.41)	170.0 (6.69)	318.6 (12.54)	387.4 (15.25)	443.8 (17.47)	212.3 (8.36)	30.2 (1.19)	21.5 (0.85)	25.8 (1.02)	1,821.6 (71.72)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)	5.1	5.5	6.8	8.1	10.4	13.8	15.3	17.9	9.4	2.9	3.3	4.1	102.6
Average relative humidity (%)	77.9	79.3	79.3	79.8	79.9	77.5	77.2	80.1	80.1	78.9	78.7	76.8	78.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours	161.4	139.7	157.9	157.0	175.5	186.6	206.4	182.2	186.2	197.0	158.9	159.2	2,068
Source: Central Weather Bureau

Learning and Green Energy in Chiayi

Top Universities and Colleges

National Chiayi University

Chiayi City is home to several important schools. These include:

National Chiayi University
National Chung Cheng University
Chung Jen College of Nursing, Health Science and Management

Promoting Green Energy

Chiayi City is working to be more environmentally friendly. In 2015, the city started a program to put solar panels on schools and government buildings. This helps reduce greenhouse gases. The program aims to produce a lot of clean electricity each year.

Fun Places to Visit in Chiayi City

Chiayi Prison Museum

The spotted deer sculpture in the 228 National Memorial Park.

Hinoki Village

Chiayi City has many interesting places to explore:

Alishan Forest Railway & Railway Park: See old trains and learn about the famous mountain railway.
Hinoki Village: A beautiful area with Japanese-style wooden houses.
Chiayi Prison Museum: Learn about the history of this old prison, now a museum.
Chiayi Park: A large park with several attractions inside.
- Chiayi Confucian Temple: A temple dedicated to the ancient Chinese teacher Confucius.
- Sun-Shooting Tower: A unique tower with a sun-themed design.
Lantan Lake: A scenic lake perfect for a relaxing walk.
Wenhua Road Night Market: A lively night market with lots of delicious food and shopping.
Chiayi Cultural and Creative Industries Park: A place where old buildings are used for art and creative businesses.
Chiayi Municipal Museum: Discover the history and culture of Chiayi.
228 Memorial Park: A park dedicated to remembering an important event in Taiwan's history.

Chiayi International Band Festival

Chiayi is known as the "city of wind music" in Taiwan. Every year, it hosts a big wind music festival. It started small in 1988. Now, it's one of the most exciting events in Chiayi. Bands from all over come to perform.

Sports Events in Chiayi

Chiayi City has hosted several exciting sports events, including:

The 2001 Baseball World Cup (co-hosted with other cities).
The 2012 Asian Soft Tennis Championship.
The 2018 World University Baseball Championship.

Famous People from Chiayi

Many notable people have come from Chiayi City:

Tan Ting-pho (1895–1947): A very famous Taiwanese painter.
Vincent Siew (1939): A well-known Taiwanese politician who served as Vice President.
Huang Min-hui (1959): A former mayor of Chiayi City.
Wu Bai (1968): A popular Taiwanese rock singer.

Chiayi's Sister Cities Around the World

Chiayi City has special connections with other cities around the world. These are called "sister cities" or "twin towns." They share culture and friendship.

East Orange, New Jersey, United States (1972)
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (1972)
Juneau, Alaska, United States (1977)
Murray, Utah, United States (1977)
Bulacan Province, Philippines (1980)
Martinsburg, West Virginia, United States (1988)
Syracuse, New York, United States (1995)
Hsinchu City, Taiwan (2002)

Getting Around: Transportation in Chiayi

Chiayi Station

Trains

You can travel to and from Chiayi City by train. The main stations are Chiayi Station and Jiabei Station. Chiayi Station is also where the Alishan Forest Railway begins its journey up the mountain. For faster travel, the THSR Chiayi Station (High-Speed Rail) is located nearby in Chiayi County.

Buses

Chiayi has a good bus system. The Chiayi Bus Rapid Transit connects the city to the High-Speed Rail station. Chiayi City Bus routes cover the urban areas, making it easy to get around.