04/06/2026
Cathay Theatre (国泰电影院), standing at the corner of Huaihai Road and Maoming Road S. since 1932, is a landmark of Shanghai‘s Art Deco heritage designed by Czech architect Charles Henry Gonda. Its facade features purple-red brick with white joints and a distinctive central stepped tower topped by a neon “CATHAY” sign.
The theatre opened on New Year’s Day 1932 with the American drama A Free Soul and quickly became one of the city‘s most glamorous first-run cinemas. Its legendary audience included writer Eileen Chang and stars like Zhao Dan and Qin Yi.
Listed as a Municipal Excellent Historical Building in 1994, Cathay has served as a designated venue for the Shanghai International Film Festival since 1993. After a careful renovation, it reopened in 2024 — its classic facade meticulously preserved while modern comforts were added inside. Today, it remains one of Shanghai’s most beloved cinematic landmarks.
📍 870 Huaihai Road M., Huangpu District
📸: @朱晓东 @姚嘉伟 .Nikkor
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