In 1734 (the 12th year of Yongzheng), magistrate Lu-Hung built piercing-bamboo to better protect the city.
In 1786 (the 51st year of Qianlong), Lin Shuang-Wen headed his people to siege Chulosan but failed because of the assisting defense from the inhabitants. Consequently, on November 3 of the next year, the Qing Emperor made an imperial announcement: awarded the name "Chiayi" to replace "Chulosan" for praising the citizens' loyalty.
In 1885 (the 11th year of Guangxu Emperor), Taiwan was approved to be a province. Two years later, the jurisdiction was divided as three sub-provinces, one direct county, eleven counties and three bureaus. Chiayi belonged to Taiwan sub-province and the hall was still in Chiayi.
In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki.
In 1906, a major earthquake devastated the entire city wall except the Eastern Gate. The Japanese authorities reconstructed the city. Industries and trades started to flourish. In 1907, the construction of forest railroad to Alishan (Mt. Ali) was begun. Chiayi became an autonomy group as Chiayi Town and later (1930) promoted as an autonomous city.
In 1945, when Japan relinquished control of Taiwan, Chiayi City was elevated to a provincial city under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China.
In 1950, because of the re-allocation of administrative areas in which Taiwan was divided into 16 counties, five provincial cities, and a special bureau, Chiayi City was downgraded to a county-government status. As a result, a shortage of capital hindered its development.
On July 1, 1982, it was elevated again to a provincial city as a result of pressure from local elites
