Yongcheng Theater

Yongcheng Theater was founded in 1945, originally not a theater but the "Yongcheng Rice Mill" operated by Mr. Huang Zhi. During the Japanese colonial period, the Huang family prospered thanks to long-term cooperation with the government. However, the rice mill suffered heavy losses during World War II, and with the Japanese withdrawal from Taiwan, the once-thriving industry declined. Mr. Huang then decided to convert the rice mill into a theater, marking the birth of Yongcheng Theater.

Upon completion, it quickly became a gathering place for political and business elites in Yanshui. Besides screening films, it also hosted opera troupes, making it one of the region’s largest entertainment centers. Yet, as times changed and entertainment diversified, the theater closed in 2000.

Later, Tainan City Government invested in restoration works to bring the theater back to life. Inside, original curtains, cypress long benches, vintage projectors, old film reels, equipment, and even autographs of movie stars are preserved. During festivals, old films are shown, reviving nostalgic memories.

Today, Yongcheng Theater serves as a multifunctional performance hall for films, Taiwanese opera, and glove puppetry. Movie-themed art installations adorn its exterior, turning it into not just a theater but also a cultural landmark preserving Yanshui’s history and memory.