While much of the world is celebrating Marty McFly coming back to the future on October 21, 2015, some of us are taking a look back to the past. A Chinese newspaper recently republished a batch of famous photos by French photographer Louis-Philippe Messelier depicting 1930s Shanghai, bringing them back into the limelight.
In the 1930s, Louis-Philippe Messelier, a French teenager, journeyed to the Far East working a double-career in wool trade and journalism for the French Journal of Shanghai. Through his work he captured hundreds of pictures of the exotic charm of the back streets of Shanghai and also the daily lives of the average citizens.
While this is no DeLorean, here’s a chance to be taken back in history through a different kind of time machine.
▼ Junks on the Huang-pu River
▼ An old man eating noodles in his shop
▼ A duck farmer in the outskirts of the city
▼ A religious dignitary being taken around the city
▼ A group of men playing mahjong
▼ A snake charmer performs for a crowd.
▼ Fuzhou Street
▼ Performers in a street theater
▼ Shanghai was a destination for Japanese travelers as well.
▼ Fashionable people at the racecourse
▼ Shanghai’s been a busy place for quite a while!
We see and hear a lot about Shanghai in the news these days, being the still-growing metropolis that it is. However, it’s nice to get a glimpse of the Shanghai of nearly a century ago too. While many things have changed, it still retains much of its charm and culture that was so evident in the 1930s.
Source: Photography of China via Shanghaiist
Images: Photography of China, NetEase
Images of 1930s China emerge online, leave us wanting more【Photos】
Neat footage surfaces of life in small Hiroshima town circa the 1930s【Video】
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
Tourists brave Typhoon Jangmi to queue at two famous sites in Tokyo
Japan’s sticker wars are reaching a breaking point, even for enthusiasts
Video of man spraying liquid on conveyor belt sushi leads to arrest in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
Starbucks Japan has a problem with its sell-out breakfast that might annoy solo diners
Pikachu cakes and other adorable Pokémon 30th anniversary food coming to Tokyo luxury hotel
Krispy Kreme releases a new Doughwich… at only one store in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events