Taibao is a place of the future. Since 1982, when Chiayi County Government moved here from Chiayi City, swanky administrative buildings have been sprouting in the western part of the city. The central government has decided to locate the Southern Branch of the world-famous National Palace Museum in Taibao, and the city is to host Chiayi's high-speed railway station. Now, high-speed railroad is running, Taipei will be just an hour away; the journey to Kaohsiung - Taiwan's second city - will be a 31-minute commute.

This is not to say that Taibao lacks history. In fact, it owes its name to a local boy who made very well. Wang De-lu was born within the current city limits in the second half of the eighteenth century. A professional soldier, he rose rapidly through the ranks of imperial China's army, was ennobled, and returned to active service after the age of 70. The name "Taibao" is derived from an honorific title he was given for his work protective the heir apparent.