The Budi Ruins Scenic Spot: The RuiMao Theater Stages "The Beauty and Sorrow of Guogou"

Published: 2026-09-24 👁 101 views

Last updated 2026-09-24 — Stepping through the gate, one is immediately struck by the magnificent cypress wood beams and grand architecture. The theater’s lofty space exudes elegance, with symmetrical wooden staircases on both sides leading up to the second-floor balcony. The stage has collapsed, and parts of the walls have crumbled away, offering an unobstructed view where red brick structures come into frame. Light and shadow dance freely, as if performing in a cinematic tribute to the passage of time—titled "The Beauty and Sorrow of Guogou."

Ruins possess a kind of dark allure, quietly rising in popularity among travel search trends. Director Wu Nien-jen once made a short film called "The Permanent Shop," a realistic portrayal of an aging grocery store, set in Guogou, Chiayi. Here, I’ve uncovered one unnamed ruin after another, but the one that moved me most was the old theater—like stepping into a dimly lit, nostalgic movie scene.

Text & Photos / Mirror Media Weekly

Despite nearby attractions like the popular Budai Salt Fields and the High Heel Chapel, most people remain largely unfamiliar with Guogou Village. “Back in the day, Guogou had two theaters, four teahouses, five rice mills, and countless parade troupes…” an elderly local reminisced, his memories flowing endlessly as he spoke. This fading little village turned out to be much “bigger” than I had imagined.

Guogou Village is the largest non-county-seat settlement in Taiwan, with its stone houses reflecting the echoes of the past.

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The Budi Ruins Scenic Spot: The RuiMao Theater Stages "The Beauty and Sorrow of Guogou"

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Accommodation + scooter for just under 500 RMB per person at Tainan Railway Station’s industrial-style hostel

CNN reports that the world's most expensive beef noodle is in Taipei — at Father's Beef Noodles, where one bowl costs NT$10,000, and it’s worth every penny

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