China Dali Rural Film History Museum

Located in Dali Ancient Town (大理古城), Yunnan Province, the Dali Rural Film History Museum (also known as the Dali Prefecture Film Archive, 大理州电影档案馆) opened in 2011 at No. 459, Fuxing Road (复兴路). It was established by the Dali Prefecture Party Committee and Government to preserve and showcase the culture of rural cinema in Dali, enrich the cultural appeal of the ancient town, and enhance its tourism value. The museum was transformed from the original Dali Cinema, maintaining its historic façade and style.

Category: State-owned specialized film museum, public welfare institution
Opening Date: April 17, 2011
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00–22:00
Main Collections: Film reels, projectors, posters
Total Investment: Over 9.5 million RMB
Total Items: 6,914 pieces (sets)
Exhibition Area: 1,252.05 m²

Historical Background

The Dali Rural Film History Museum is the first specialized rural film history museum in China. It was created to protect, explore, and present Dali’s rural film heritage, thus strengthening the region’s cultural tourism industry.
In February 2011, following the principle of “restoring the old as old,” over 8 million RMB was invested to reinforce and renovate the old Dali Cinema. The museum began with more than 6,000 items, including vintage projection equipment, film reels, old posters, and photographs, officially opening during the March Street Festival on April 17, 2011.

Architectural Layout

The museum, with a total investment of about 8 million RMB, is divided into 10 sections: an introductory hall, large-scale projection equipment display, rural film screening scene reconstruction, costume and prop display, old film viewing area, and more.
Its main theme follows the century-long history of rural film screening in Dali, highlighting classics from the 1950s and 1960s. Exhibits include old photographs, film stills, posters, projectors, reels, and promotional materials, presenting a comprehensive history of rural cinema in the area.

Exhibition Content

Since late 2010, over 6,200 exhibits have been collected through purchases, donations, and loans. Items range from silent-era projectors and original Charlie Chaplin posters to stills from Dali-themed films such as Five Golden Flowers (五朵金花). Many are rare and of high cultural value.

Dali’s Film History

In the late Qing and early Republican period, French missionaries screened slides—called “local films” by the public—at the Catholic church by Dali Ancient Town’s east gate, introducing the concept of visual storytelling. Over the years, Dali became a popular filming location, producing classics such as Five Golden Flowers. The museum traces this journey from early slide shows to major domestic and international productions filmed in Dali.

Cultural Activities

Five Golden Flowers and Dali Cinema

On April 26, actors from the film Five Golden Flowers and the TV drama The Children of the Five Golden Flowers reunited at the museum, sharing memories and performing songs such as the iconic theme “By the Butterfly Spring” (蝴蝶泉边).

Ethnic Minority Film Exhibition & Seminar

In April 2016, the museum hosted the Cross-Strait Ethnic Minority Film Week, featuring screenings and discussions between filmmakers and scholars from Yunnan, Taiwan, and other regions. The museum’s collection of ethnic minority films and materials was praised as rare and invaluable.

Cultural Significance

Acclaimed director Chen Kaige praised the museum as “not just a tourism project, but a cultural achievement.” It condenses Dali’s rural film history into one venue, allowing visitors to experience both cinematic heritage and local traditions.
The exhibits include restored Bai-style interiors, vintage film posters, and over 1,100 classic films for viewing. Free entry and regular screenings attract both locals and tourists, making it an important cultural hub.

Science and Culture Promotion

As a designated science education base, the museum collaborates with the Dali Association for Science and Technology to host public science screenings, distribute educational materials, and organize student visits. It has screened over 180 science short films alongside its cultural programming.

Visitor Information

Address: No. 459, Fuxing Road (复兴路), Dali Ancient Town (大理古城), Dali City, Yunnan Province
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00–22:00
Transportation: From the intersection of Fuxing Road and Yuer Road (玉洱路), walk north 100 m. Bus routes 8, 4, or the Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas special line.
Visitor Numbers: In 2015, the museum received 920,000 visitors.