Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s New Home Opens to the Public – A Colorful Train Hits the Rails

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 

Tamsui Cloud Gate Theatre, the new home of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, officially opened on the 19th at the Water Culture Art and Education Center. Located next to the 1886-built Hobe Fort constructed by Liu Mingchuan, it is a space where you can admire trees, the ocean, and performances. With its relocation to Tamsui, Cloud Gate marks the beginning of another 40 years.

The former site of Tamsui Cloud Gate Theatre was the Central Broadcasting Station, covering approximately 1.5 hectares. Today, about one-fourth of the area has been preserved as green lawn space with over 200 trees planted, integrating with the surrounding ecosystem to create a lush theatrical and cultural venue. It includes a 450-seat theater, two small rehearsal rooms that also function as mini-theaters, and an outdoor theater that can accommodate 1,000 people, all meeting the professional standards of rehearsal and performance akin to the National Theater. In addition to welcoming more visitors to enjoy artistic performances, the venue also aims to provide an open and comfortable outdoor space for all guests—a serene area for the mind to unwind. Future events such as exhibitions and literary lectures will also be held here. Everyone is welcome to come and see the trees, the sea, and the performances.
※ The theater building is only open to the public for ticketed performances and is otherwise closed.

Additionally, to celebrate the opening of Tamsui Cloud Gate Theatre, Taipei City has launched the “Cloud Gate Dance Theatre Painted Train,” which will run on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line for four months until August 19. Aside from symbolizing Cloud Gate’s journey from its origins and growth in Taipei to its new home in New Taipei City, the train also invites everyone to take the MRT to Tamsui and visit Cloud Gate’s new venue.

For the exterior of the Cloud Gate painted train, one side of the car body features the image from Cloud Gate’s work “Traces of Leaking Roof,” characterized by large areas of negative space, evoking calm and stability. The other side showcases Cloud Gate 2’s dance piece “Tantalus,” with dynamic, lively dancers accompanying commuters on their journeys. Inside each car, the three-seater circular seating areas at both ends feature images from nine key works by Cloud Gate and Cloud Gate 2. The vibrant colors not only offer a glimpse into Cloud Gate’s developmental journey but also transform each ride into a festive, joyous experience akin to stepping into a carnival.