Chuan Mei Theatre

Tainan


This old second-run theatre (1950) is worth a look for the movie posters created by Master Yan Jhen-fa, the last such painter in Taiwan. You can see Hollywood's superheroes in their 2D glory above the entrance. Master Yan's workshop is just across the road and he is often spotted working on the footpath. The half-blind artist (b 1962) was invited by Gucci to paint a wall for the luxury brand in Taipei.

Chuan Mei Theatre was mentioned by award-winning Taiwanese director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Brokeback Mountain) as the place that nurtured his interest in filmmaking as a young man.

Transportation

  • bus: 14

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tainan attractions

1. Official God of War Temple

0.11 MILES

This is the oldest and most impressive temple in Taiwan dedicated to Guandi (Guan Gong), a Han-dynasty general deified as the God of War. He is the patron…

2. Grand Mazu Temple

0.11 MILES

This lively temple once served as the palace of Ning Jin, the last king of the Ming dynasty. If you wish to confirm visually that a king's status is lower…

3. Tainan Art Museum Bldg 2

0.13 MILES

Created by Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize–winner Ban Shigeru, Building 2 of the Tainan Art Museum has a dozen galleries spread over five floors…

4. 182 Art Space

0.15 MILES

A fabulous gallery inside an attractive 50-year-old building. The three-and-a-half floors of space hosts well-curated exhibitions of works – paintings,…

5. Chihkan Towers

0.19 MILES

This old fort is a splendid place to roam around, or to enjoy an outdoor concert on weekends. However, only the foundation is the original. Chihkan has…

6. Water Fairy Temple

0.23 MILES

Hidden inside a market named after itself, Shuixian Temple (literally 'Water Fairy Temple') is a far cry from the days when it was not only a place of…

7. Land Bank

0.25 MILES

The neoclassical-style Land Bank dates from 1928. Japanese architects were heavily influenced by western ideas at the time and neoclassical revival was a…

8. Hayashi Department Store

0.26 MILES

This art deco department store from the 1930s has been so beautifully restored that it's worth going in just to ascend the sweeping staircase, peer…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "taiwan/southern-taiwan/tainan-city/attractions/chuan-mei-theatre/a/poi-sig/1618960/357550",
      "destination": "Tainan",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Taiwan",
      "city": "Tainan",
      "position": "superzone"
    }