Yangzhai Old Street Introduction
Yang Zhi Old Street, located in Jinsha Township, was once a military stronghold where the Jin Dong Brigade was stationed and served as a place for soldiers' entertainment. The bustling shopping street of that time featured cinemas, billiard halls, bathhouses, and barber shops. However, with the withdrawal of the troops, Yang Zhi Old Street gradually declined. Later, it gained renewed attention when the film "Paradise in Service" was shot here, recreating the historical scenes of Kinmen in the 1960s and blending local culture with wartime elements, encapsulating the historical memory of "the military and civilians as one." The film also received accolades as the opening film at the Busan International Film Festival and recognized at the 51st Golden Horse Awards for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, and was selected for the Berlinale's Special Presentation. After the filming concluded, the Kinmen County Government preserved the set and integrated it into the community and youth entrepreneurship, leading to the establishment of many unique shops in the Yang Zhi area. This not only allows visitors to traverse a time tunnel into the historical landscape of Kinmen but also gradually forms a business circle, revitalizing the community, youth innovation, and tourism development. Yang Zhi has become a vibrant hub, attracting tourist attention and becoming one of the popular spots for young people to check in. The Jin Dong Cinema was established in 1950 by Mr. Zhang Xiangchuan, then the president of the Taipei City Council, who donated funds to build the cinema to provide a recreational space for military officers on the front lines of Kinmen. At that time, the cinema was always packed, which brought vibrancy to the Yang Zhi area, leading to the emergence of barber shops, billiard halls, and bathhouses. After several decades, the Jin Dong Cinema has been renovated but still retains the ambiance of the 1950s, preserving vivid memories of its former glory.
