Theater built in 1894 bustles as creativity hub

In the heart of Jinan, capital of Shandong province, near the eastern gate of Daming Lake, stands a century-old building whose blue-tiled walls and intricately carved beams are reminiscent of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The structure, built in 1894, is one of the best-preserved old theaters in Shandong province. Today, rather than resting as a relic of the past, it bustles with life as a hub of culture and creativity with efforts of social groups and the local government.

"I think we're successful. We have helped more and more people get to know the city's traditional culture, especially its traditional folk arts," said Wang Ying, one of the current operators of the theater.