Hsinchu Image Museum (新竹市文化局影像博物館)
Image Museum of Hsinchu City
In the heart of Hsinchu, visitors will dive deep into the history of this often-overlooked city. Sandwiched between the historic East Gate (迎曦門) and the bustling East Gate Market (東門市場), the Hsinchu Image Museum stands stoically tucked away into the city block. The tall brick building quietly looms over the street as groups of travelers shuffle their way through the open courtyard.
The Hsinchu Image Museum (新竹市文化局影像博物館) is sure to spark any visitor’s curiosity. With its architecture reflecting a style reminiscent of the “golden age of cinema”, some passersby may find themselves circling the building to take in every angle. Unfortunately, the movie theatre is often devoid of any excitement and crowds. The question many people will have when gawking at the architecture from the outside is, “How can I get a peek inside this historic cinema?”
Looking for a day trip out of Hsinchu? Be sure to travel to Neiwan!
The Museum
No matter if you’re waiting to look into the history of the cinema or buy a ticket to see a movie, your first stop will be the actual museum section of the Hsinchu Image Museum. Tucked around the right side of the movie theatre, facing the East Gate Market is the seemingly hidden entrance to the exhibits. The museum is open from 1:00-9:30 every day except for Tuesday.
This small section of the Hsinchu Image Museum is more of a bookshop, rather than a collection of full-fledged exhibits. There are interesting vintage cameras that take you through the history of cinema in Taiwan and even into the story of Hsinchu’s own movie theatre. If you’re wanting to see one of the movies shown at the Image Museum of Hsinchu, you’ll purchase your tickets from the counter here. Tickets usually cost 200 NT (6.50 USD) a person.
On the other side of the river, you can find more history and food at the New Tile House Hakka Cultural District!
Changing Hands
The Image Museum of Hsinchu City has a rich history stretching back all the way back to the Japanese colonial era. The cinema was built in 1933 and was known as the Yule Theatre. What really put this building on the map was the fact that it was the first cinema to have air-conditioning in all of Taiwan. During the war with Japan, the theatre was heavily damaged by Allied bombardments. With the end of the war, the country was handed over to the Kuomintang. The cinema was then rebuilt and renamed the Kuomin Theatre in 1946.
The theatre was used for many years as a performance hall and a location for military recruitment drives. As time went on and technology developed, many people turned their eyes to home video rentals rather than the theatre. The cinema was closed from 1991-1996. With government backing, the theatre grew over the years to become the Hsinchu Image Museum that we now see today.
If you’re wanting a break from the city, bike on over to Green Grass Lake for a breath of fresh air!
Catching a Movie
It is one thing to learn about the history of the cinema, it is another to actually sit inside and catch a film! The movies shown at the Image Museum of Hsinchu are operated by OR Lightbox (或者光盒子). This organization preserves many historic sites around the city such as the OR Inn & Cafe (或者咖啡), OR Bookstore (大同108舊城再生基地), and the OR Craft (或者工藝櫥窗). OR Lightbox shows many international and domestic art films as well as documentaries. That being said, most of the audience consists of creative hipster types. On occasion, the theatre will also show classic films and children’s movies (especially during the summer).
There are movie showings nearly every day (except for Tuesday). After securing your ticket from the bookstore, you can then queue up at the front entrance for the doors to open. As you walk through the halls of the Hsinchu Image Museum, you may find yourself disappointed by how bare the interior actually is. Other than the ornate frame around the screen, the rest of the building is dark and empty. As soon as the movie is over, staff are even quick to shoo everyone off. You won’t have much time at all to truly inspect the inside.
If you’re wanting to head up into the mountains, there is no better place to start exploring than Lion’s Head Mountain!
Is It Worth Visiting the Hsinchu Image Museum?
Despite there being little inside the Hsinchu Image Museum to create the feeling of stepping back in time, catching an old movie on the big screen is more than enough to bring a smile to your face. If you’re looking to explore the history of the building, there is honestly more to see outside of the movie theatre, than in it. After you have walked through the bookstore and sat for a film, there is still one more thing to check off your list. On the left side of the theatre, you’ll find the OR Lightbox Bistro (光盒子餐酒館) serving mixed drinks and food from 2:30-12:00. The bistro is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
With a movie and drinks all in one place, you can easily spend a whole evening at the Hsinchu Image Museum. On its own, it is not enough to wow visitors, but as a part of the greater downtown Hsinchu, the cinema plays an important role in cultivating the unique culture and spirit of the city.
Want to find more of the best things to do in Hsinchu? You can find a complete list here!
