Nostalgia Time: Shanghai Traffic in Photos
Shanghai Toutiao realeased some pretty awesome photos last week that highlight one of the biggest ways that China is changing transportation. They show how chaotic traffic has always been a big problem in China, and we rounded up some photos of modern day China so you can see the contrast.
Photo credit: 上海头条
Cars
Cars have changed massively in quite a short time in Shanghai. The streets look very different now compared to how they looked 100 years ago. Roads are much busier as now it’s very normal to own a car. In the past it would only have been the extremely wealthy who owned a car. Everyone else would have had a bicycle, walked or gotten the bus.
Photo credit: Photographer Dongli Bajiu
Date: 2017
Location: Fu Xin Dong Lu
Photo credit: 上海头条
Date: 1930’s (exact date not available)
location: The Bund
The Metro
The Shanghai Metro opened in the 1990’s and has made commuting in the city much faster, though getting on board in the morning rush hour has always been a nightmare.
Photo source: Quanjing
Date: 2018
Station: Zhongshan Park
Photo credit: 上海头条
Date: 1990
Location: Metro Line 1
Buses and trams
Buses are a big part of Shanghai’s public transport infrastructure with new bus routes coming out every month. However, in the 1920’s and 30’s, trams were very popular. They had their own track on the street and were used by people commuting daily.
Date: 2018
Location: Songjiang
Photo credit: 上海头条
Date: 1980s exact date unknown
Location: The Bund
Photo credit: 上海头条
Date: 1920’s (exact date not available)
Location: Unknown Chinese city
Taxis
Taxis have existed in some form or another in Shanghai since the late 19th century however, hailing apps like Didi have made grabbing a cab much easier! Especially when the weather is bad, now you no longer have to wait on the street under an umbrella hoping an empty cab will come your way.
Photo credit: wochacha
Date: 2015
Location: Shanghai Railway Station
Photo credit: The story of driver
Date:1930’s
Location: Shanghai Exhibition Center Previous location
Bicycles
Probably the biggest change has been the use of the bicycle. In the 70’s and 80’s, bicycles were the most common form of transport. Millions of workers would cycle to work every day, which meant the streets were always totally packed. Now with the rise of the share bikes, cycling is becoming more popular again.
Photo credit:Traffic and Transportation Bureau in Jintang County
Date: 2018
Location: Jintang
Photo credit: Photographer Lu Jie
Date: 1985
Location: Unknown Chinese city
Photo credit: 上海头条
Date: 1980s
Location: Unknown Chinese city
Photo credit: 上海头条
Date: 1990s
Location: Unknown Chinese city