Shanghai 1947

[justicelogic]

This was because of the invading of Japna empire. And the war just ended in 1945. China became very weak. The communist took over China mainland in 1949.

[WuBingWay]

chi-na peking

[Microglia1]

China should start a colonial policy...send those millions of people to inhabit depopulated areas of Europe.

[hebneh]

Although released in 1947, some of the footage in this film is far older. The people dancing outdoors , for example, were shot in the late 1920s.

China underwent ruinous inflation in the late 1940s, before the communist victory. You see some of that here, with whole blocks of paper money bundled together.

You also can see that Shanghai shifted from traffic driving on the left, to the right, at some point. One or two of the older shots show it on the left.

[ChocolatePredator]

Destroying your history is the best way to show how much you love your culture.

[26blanco]

wonderful historical record.thanks.

[joesel19]

before filipino performers in hongkong about 60's or 70's have helpers and they are chinese they call them ama or maid but now look at where we are and what happened they now call them amo or boss really funny but true.

[ffoxis]

I don't want to speak for whole Europe, but as far as I know (including my country over there) they are over-obsessed with preserving history, building a skyscraper in a city center is virtually impossible, all buildings there that are maybe over 200-300 tend to just be untouchable (lot of those there). Not that it's the main reason, but sure it does slow things down in the economy.

Most of museums like that would go bankrupt if privately owned, in my book that's wasting public money.

[mehdan2]

I hope China still has old building and monument protected repair

During Cultural REvolution, much was damaged or destroyed.

[mlsi]

I agree. Chinese, even HKers, never have much awareness of the value of history. Many Hkers are not regretting having torn down many things but it's too late. It's sad to see China going down the same path. It seems that Macau is blessed to be ruled by the Portuguese in this aspect becuase they preserved just about all the old buildings in Macau.

[ffoxis]

That would make economic development far more difficult. You can't just keep the old buildings and except to have no consequences of doing that. Not to mention it would never look as beautiful as it looks today. I hope in 200 years time governments won't try to protect today's skyscrapers. I also hope the 东方明珠塔 in Shanghai (that big tower) will be torn down one day as it's ugly and it's just wasting some valuable space.

[ffoxis]

And also you say "I agree. Chinese, even HKers, never have much awareness of the value of history.".

I'd love you to elaborate on that, cause I'm also one of those persons that are not aware of it's value. I don't won't to be offensive, I really don't know, for me it's like any other thing in the world, some people like it, some don't, nothing to be crazy about.

[mlsi]

i totally agree that 东方明珠塔 to me is a blight.

i personally think that chinese are less likely to preserve their heritage (i don't mean the historic sites that have been around for hundreds of years), i mean the more recent ones like the 四合院. you can preserve say a block or two and turn that into a museum or sth. europe does a great job preserving its hertitage.

[Phead128]

Well, HK tend to be the exception since pretty much of HK's hypermodern skyline of +200m high rises and skycrapers were constructed since year 2000.

China has plenty of space to house ancient artifices and ancient buildings.

[yumyums4ever]

I couldnt see Pudong tower in this movie :)

[woosungstreet]

wonderful

[khamouas]

Funny to see it hasn't really changed that much...

[legend03v39]

not the east side~

[lizjaymit]

What a treasure, really.

[midorosan]

great video but no sound

[harryjuselius]

Great town and the old building in Pudong still remains yes...