Then and Now: Can You Recognize Shanghai in These Old Photos?

Shanghai Contrasts
Shanghai Contrasts | ©Nils and Aracell Jonsson/Flickr
Rachel Deason

Shanghai has changed a lot throughout its history. In fact, the only thing that stays constant is the city’s dynamism. Most photos that people associate with Shanghai will have been taken in the past few years. The famous Lujiazui skyline was little more than the Pearl Tower until 1999. Even five years ago, the now iconic Shanghai Tower was a mere mess of scaffolding. The metro, the longest system in the world, only opened its first station 24 years ago. And old neighborhoods are constantly being razed to make room for newer, bigger things. Take a look at these pictures of old and new Shanghai to see just how much the city has changed.

East Nanjing Road

Nanjing Rd Pedestrian St, NanJing Lu, Huangpu Qu, Shanghai Shi, China, 200000

Then

East Nanjing Road Then
East Nanjing Road Now

The Bund

Zhongshan East 1st Rd, WaiTan, Huangpu Qu, Shanghai Shi, China, 200002

Then

The Bund Then

Now

The Bund

Xujiahui (St. Ignatius) Cathedral

158 Puxi Rd, XuJiaHui, Xuhui Qu, Shanghai Shi, China, 200030

Then

Xujiahui Cathedral Then

Now

Xujiahui Cathedral Now

Huangpu River

Then

Junks on the Huangpu

Now

Boat on the Huangpu

Old Walled City of Shanghai

259 Dajing Rd, Huangpu Qu, Shanghai Shi, China, 200000

Then

Small East Gate

Now

What Remains of the Walled City

Daily Life

Then

Playing Mahjong

Now

Playing Cards in the Park

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