The old city of Jhuluo (Chiayi) has experienced three centuries of Taiwan’s history, and its historical sites have endured many earthquakes and heavy rains that have caused the city’s walls to collapse one after another. The year 2004 marks the 300th anniversary of the founding of the city. To rekindle the memories of Taiwanese residents about the history of this ancient city, Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of two stamps entitled “Jhuluo’s Tricentennial Commemorative Issue.” The two stamps feature “Chiayi Prefecture Hall” and “Chiayi East Gate” based on historic photos provided by Chiayi City Government.

Jhuluo was established as a county in 1684, the 23rd. year of Emperor Kangsi’s rule, after Taiwan became part of the territory of China. In 1704, its residents started to build a wooden fence around the city with a gate on each four sides. In 1723, the first year of Emperor Yongjheng’s rule, these fences were erected with pounded earth walls instead. In 1786, rebel troops led by Lin Shuang-wun attacked the city. The army and the residents successfully defended the city. In praise of this chivalrous act, Emperor Cian Long sent an imperial decree to change the name Jhuluo into Chiayi (which means “in praise of a chivalrous act”). Ever since, Jhuluo has been called Chiayi.

The designs of the stamps follow:

(1) Chiayi Prefecture Hall: The Hall is an elegant two-storied western style building on the main street of Chiayi. It was an important government administration office on the main street of Chiayi in 1920 when it was changed into a prefecture and has since been rebuilt many times. It is still a core building of the Chiayi City Government today.

(2) Chiayi East Gate: During the destructive Chiayi earthquake of 1906, the walls and gates of the city all collapsed except the East Gate. Although the East Gate Roundabout is all that is left, the gate nonetheless played an important role in the history of Jhuluo.