GUIDE OF VISIT
Minzhong Paradise is a century-old cultural landmark in Wuhan, originally established in 1919 as "Hankou New Market". Alongside Shanghai’s Great World and Tianjin’s Quanye Market, it was hailed as one of the "Three Great Entertainment Venues of the Republican Era." Over decades of name changes and renovations, Minzhong Paradise has remained a cornerstone of Wuhan’s collective memory, serving as both an entertainment hub and a vital platform for revolutionary propaganda. In June 2024, after a three-year restoration, it reopened as a modern cultural complex blending historical architecture with contemporary trends, integrating theater performances, commercial experiences, and art exhibitions.
Minzhong Paradise
Historical Evolution
Minzhong Paradise was initiated in 1917 by Liu Youcai, then director of Hankou’s Municipal Inspection Bureau, and officially opened on May 29, 1918. At its debut, the venue boasted three theaters, two storytelling halls, an acrobatics arena, a cinema, and Chinese-Western restaurants, attracting crowds with operas, acrobatics, and novelties like "balloon releases." In 1926, after the National Revolutionary Army captured Wuhan, it was renamed the "Central People’s Club," becoming a revolutionary propaganda base adorned with portraits of Marx, Engels, and Sun Yat-sen, and distributing revolutionary publications. During the Japanese occupation, it was seized by the military and transformed into a "coolie labor camp," later controlled by collaborator Wang Wenming under puppet regime oversight.
After 1949, the venue underwent multiple name changes and functional shifts. In 1981, parts of the building were converted into theaters, and by 1995, it evolved into "New People’s Paradise," Central China’s first entertainment-shopping complex. Singapore’s CapitaLand Group redeveloped it into a commercial hub in 2014, and in 2024, Wuhan Cultural Tourism Group spearheaded its latest restoration, reopening it as a revitalized heritage site.
Architectural and Cultural Features
The original complex spanned 12,000 square meters with 17,000 square meters of floor space, featuring domed halls, theaters, and indoor gardens. The 2024 renovation preserved historical elements like arched colonnades and terrazzo floors while introducing modern innovations: a 360-degree circular stage, the immersive "People’s Paradise 1919" Livehouse, and advanced audiovisual technologies to restage classic operas like The Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers. Its iconic domed tower and central atrium now symbolize the fusion of history and contemporary art.
Functions and Offerings
Cultural Performances: Positioned as an "opera hub," it hosts Peking opera, modern dance, and supports local emerging artists.
Commercial Experiences: Features Central China’s first BASEMENT FG and Peet’s Coffee outlets, alongside planned attractions like the "Temple of Light" digital art exhibition and immersive Chinese-themed theaters.
Public Events: Hosts Wuhan Design Day, creative carnivals, and intangible cultural heritage workshops, fostering community engagement.
Social Significance
Minzhong Paradise mirrors Wuhan’s evolution from a modern industrial city to a cultural metropolis. It stands as both a leisure destination and a witness to revolutions and wartime struggles. Its latest transformation, guided by "urban renewal" principles, reimagines historical spaces as incubators for youth-driven cultural innovation, revitalizing Wuhan’s "opera hub" legacy and boosting cultural industries. Future plans aim to integrate music, technology, and trendsetting commerce, solidifying its role as Wuhan’s "emotional container" and cultural emblem.
