In 1950, Kaiyuan City established a dedicated space for public art. Today, the National First-Class Cultural Center stands within the Nanzheng Street Historical and Cultural District, occupying over ten mu alongside the historic Jiutian Pavilion Cultural Square. The low-rise architecture mirrors the surrounding late Qing Dynasty, Republican, and French colonial-style buildings. Visitors entering through the southeast gate at 101 Renmin South Road encounter a structure designed to bridge generations.

Inside, the air carries the scent of fresh ink from the calligraphy rooms. The rhythmic thrum of dancers' feet vibrates through the wooden floors of the rehearsal studios, where members of the Kaiyuan City Song and Dance Troupe practice. Under the leadership of Director Cao Weiguo, the center operates on a free-access model. Retired residents gather daily in the sunlit courtyard for chess and music, their laughter blending with the bright acoustics of the new small theater.

The building functions as a repository for local memory. In the exhibition halls, the coarse, hand-stitched textures of Yi Pu-la ethnic garments represent centuries of preserved heritage. Curators document these traditions alongside original local theatrical productions, such as the flower lantern play Going Home and the narrative quyi piece A Ladle of Water. The quarterly journal Kaiyuan Qunwen records these cultural developments, preserving the voices of local writers and performers.

The modern facility, which completed its relocation in 2024, features a multi-function hall, an art gallery, and dedicated spaces for digital services. It serves as a model for public cultural architecture in Yunnan Province. The physical structure harmonizes with the historic district, while the activities inside keep the community's heritage alive. Visitors are invited to walk through the galleries, listen to the rehearsals, and touch the cool stone of the plaza, experiencing a living link between Kaiyuan's industrial past and its artistic present.