123 Things that Have Disappeared in Shanghai Over the Years
Its obvious that Shanghai has developed rapidly and continues to do so, but developement often leaves things behind. Take some of these following examples, which have disappeared from the city over the years...
14 Districts/Counties
You probably wouldn't know it unless you've lived in the city your whole life, but there used to be many more districts/counties in Shanghai. As the city became more populated, some of these smaller areas were merged or added to larger ones.
Nanshi District (Merged with Huangpu District)
Luwan District (Merged with Huangpu District)
Zhabei District (Merged with Jing’an District)
Wusong District (Merged with Baoshan District)
Nanhui District (merged with Pudong New District)
Shanghai County (merged with Minhang District)
Jiading County (established as a district)
Baoshan County (merged with Baoshan District)
Chuansha County (merged with Pudong New District)
Nanhui County (established as a district, then merged with Pudong New District)
Fengxian County (established as a district)
Songjiang County (established as a district)
Jinshan County (established as a district)
Qingpu County (established as a district)
66 Shanghainese Vocab Words or Phrases
Shanghainese is a complex local dialect that has sadly been disappearing over the years. Although it's still spoken by many locals, especially older residents, many of the words or phrases have almost entirely disappeard. We don't have the article space to list all 66, but here are a several examples.
Zao Pi Ge (kitchen)
Ba Xi Zuo (8 people’s table)
Min Zao Wei (See you tomorrow)
Xiao Bi Jiang (cobbler)
Du Zi Bu (Big Mouth)
Xiao Ce Lao (little guy)
8 Foods/Drinks
Along with the steady stream of development has come the dwindling popularity of local snacks and flavors. Although you can still find some of these things around the city, they're becoming increasingly hard to find, in some cases impossible.
“Horse Head” Popsicle, a Shanghai brand of popsicle that, in case you were wondering, did not contain any horse.
Lei Sha Yuan, a sticky rice ball rolled in sweet yellow bean powder
Sesame Candy makers used to be all over, they're very hard to find these days though as the candy's popularity has decreased and they can now be made much easier in factories.
Fried Ginkgo
“Tiger’s feet" baked dough shaped like a tiger paw.
Malted milk. Many years ago Shanghainese families all had this for special occasions and to treat guests. The sweet powdered milk isn't so popular anymore.
You might be confused by the above poster (and especially the font choice) into thinking this is a coke ad, it's not. Around 40 years ago Lucky Cola opened in Shanghai, providing soda to the masses.
10 Jobs
One of the most obvious changes in any developing area is the way in which jobs evolve. Whether it be automation, chain stores or advances in technology, Shanghai has seen many of these jobs go the way of the horse and buggy.
Street Barber. You can still find them around Shanghai, but they're not anywhere near as prevalent as they used to be.
Fluffing Cotton, once a viable profession has been totally done away with my machines and automation.
Repairing Watches
Tinkers were once very popular tinsmiths who mended household utensils and metal items. In the age of taobao though, this job has lost a lot of its appeal.
Repairing Zongbeng (wooden bed frame strung with ropes)
Repairing shoes and umbrellas
Hoopers used to be everywhere, they would build and repair barrels.
Drum-shaped Rattle Seller
Street-side Knife Sharpeners
Gardenia street sellers
6 Brands
“Butterfly” Sewing machine
“Minguang” Sheets
“35” Clocks
“Red Light” Radios
5 Famous Area Names
Tilan Bridge
Baxian Bridge
Da Zi Ming Zhong
6 Landmarks
Shanghai TV Tower
The Bund Valentine's wall
HongKou Cinema
“First bend in Asia”
Pacific Digital
Antique Market on Dongtai Lu
8 Footbridges
The Bund footbridge on East Yan’an Lu
Oval footbridge on Nanjing Lu and Xizang Lu
Unfinished houses for sale
If you talk to anyone who bought an apartment in Shanghai 10+ years ago, you might be surprised to find out what they used to sell. Basically you were given a concrete shell, no paint, no flooring, no decor, just a blank slate for you to do whatever you wanted with.
Video Host
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