Sheng Ping Theater Introduction
The origin of "Shengping Theatre" dates back to 1916, when it was a wooden stage next to the old market, featuring Taiwanese opera and accommodating about three to four hundred people. The stage collapsed in 1927 due to age, and the operator built the theatre on the same site in 1934, covering approximately 200 ping, making it the largest theatre in Taiwan during the Japanese occupation. However, due to severe population outflow from Jiufen, it ceased operations in 1986. The distinctive architecture of Shengping Theatre has made it a filming location for many movies, including "Daughters," "A City of Sadness," and "Blue Mountain Coffee," featuring classic scenes. It is not only the oldest theatre in Northern Taiwan but also one of the must-visit attractions for tourists in Jiufen. Initially constructed of wood, the theatre was renovated in the 1960s to a hollow wall design, with surrounding buildings constructed during the Japanese rule. It has frequently been used as a location for artists, and later, the Cultural Bureau and the Tourism Bureau of New Taipei City renovated this historical building, restoring its function as a cinema. The interior includes a projection machine donated by the Wu family and a 1950s-60s themed decoration set up by Mr. Lai from Jiufen Local Museum, giving visitors the feeling of being in an old theatre. Currently, the operational aspects of Shengping Theatre are managed by the New Taipei City Gold Museum.
