Originally a rural area between Mang-Ga and Da-Dau-Chung,

Xi-Men was transformed into a center of commerce and entertainment by the Japanese.

The area is called Xi-Men-Ding because of its location outside of the Xi-Men

(which in English translates as western gate) of old Taipei city at the crossroads of Bau-Ching Rd.

and Chung-Hua Rd. today. Because of its superior commercial location and its vibrant nightlife,

many cinemas sprang up in the area surrounding Wu-Chang St.,

making it the movie heartland of Taipei, the home to all glitzy movie premieres of the day.

Thus, Xi-Men-Ding moved into its golden era. But with the onset of the new technological era,

coupled with the explosion of VHS and cable TV, Xi-Men-Ding's cinema hey-day faded.

Yet, at the end of 20 th century, the MRT (subway),

on which Xi-Men-Ding became a major stop-off point,

brought new life to the area and once again became home to the trend-setting crowd.

That is the story of the historical, unique,

legendary commercial and cultural Xi-Men-Ding at the end of its first century.