Wuxi Peace Cinema has witnessed a lot of change during its 67-year tenure. The cinema opened shortly after the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in 1948 and witnessed a second golden age of cinema. It lived through the communist revolution in 1949 and in 1953, changed its name from Queen Theatre to Peace Cinema, with Peace Cinema Co being established in the same year.

The cinema later altered its name to Hongqi (Red Flag) Cinema in 1959 before reverting back to “Peace Cinema” in the 1980s to coincide with a flourishing industry following the end of the Cultural Revolution. As the old saying goes, “If these walls could talk,” then Wuxi Peace Cinema would have more than a few stories to tell from the Republic of China (1912-1949) to the modern day.

It is not only the audience and films that have changed for the cinema over the years. Located at No 34, Shuyuan Lane, Chong’an district, it is now surrounded by 30 bus lines and is just meters away from the Exit 3 of the Sheng Li Men Station of Subway Line 1.

The cinema, once the largest professional cinema in Wuxi, retains much of its original 1948 design and underwent reconstruction work in 2006 to upgrade it to a national five star level. It now accommodates 600 seats in seven screens.

The acoustics are supported by brands of Dolby, Avance and JBL, and the projection systems employ the technology of Barco and GDC. Customized seats are designed in terms of body comfort demands. A new air condition system was installed in 2014; it can keep the houses in a comfortable temperature between 16 and 26 Celsius degree all year around.

Peace Cinema strives to provide a professional and considerate service. 3D glasses are stored in ultraviolet light disinfection cabinets and the surface is scrubbed by a 75 percent alcohol substance. Free blankets are available at the request of audience members. Emergency medicine and first aid kits are also provided.

Address: No 34, Shuyuan Lane, Chong’an district, Wuxi city, Jiangsu province

Tel: 0086 – 0510 – 82830430

Buses: No 65, 66, 67, 501, 311, 11, 58, 98, 811, 16, 81, 85, 90, 313 and 5 at Sheng Li Men Station

No 12, 20, 20 (branch line), 65(branch line), 501, 319, 63, 82, 102, 208 and 312 at Zhongshan Road Station

No 2, 61, 30, 77, 208, 319, 5, 20, 20 (branch line), 28, 28 (branch line), 57, 80 and 100 at Ji Xiang Bridge Station

Subway: Line 1 at Sheng Li Men Station (Exit 3)

A wall in Wuxi Peace Cinema tells the development history of the cinema. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The outside appearance of Wuxi Peace Cinema. [Phot provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A movie house at Wuxi Peace Cinema. [Phot provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Rest area at Wuxi Peace Cinema. [Phot provided to chinadaily.com.cn]