Anren Theater was funded and constructed by Liu Wencai in 1942, located at the intersection of Shuren Street and Hongxing Street in the ancient town of Anren, to the right of the Pao Ge Building. During the Republic of China era, it was known as Xingting Theater. Adjacent to the Pao Ge Building and facing the Liu Family Garden, it was once dubbed the ‘Bund of Southwest China’.
The Anren Theater was modeled after the Yuelai Theater in Chengdu at that time (now the Sichuan Opera Art Center of Chengdu), making it one of the most beautiful and imposing theaters in the entire southwest region. For one or two months each year, the renowned ‘Xinyouxin’ opera troupe from Sichuan would perform regularly at the grand theater, with famous performers such as Yang Youhe, Zhou Qihe, Chen Shufan, and Zhou Mulian having graced the stage. It naturally became a social and leisure spot for the ‘wealthy’ from the major mansions in Anren.
