Dongshi Fisherman's Wharf Live Cam

History

Chiayi County, located in southwestern Taiwan, holds a rich historical and cultural heritage that traces back to indigenous roots, early Chinese settlement, and significant developments during the Japanese colonial era and subsequent modernization. The region's indigenous people, primarily from the Tsou tribe, originally inhabited the mountainous areas and lived off the land through hunting, fishing, and agriculture. These indigenous cultures thrived in the lush forests of Chiayi's Alishan Mountain range and remain an integral part of Chiayi’s cultural fabric to this day.

Chinese settlers from Fujian Province began migrating to Chiayi County in the early 17th century, when the Ming Dynasty loyalists sought refuge in Taiwan. The Han Chinese settlers established villages, bringing agricultural skills that transformed the region into an important farming hub. During this period, the area was known as "Tsulosan," named after the Tsou indigenous people. This initial wave of settlers planted rice paddies and cultivated sugarcane, which later became critical to the region's economy.