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】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
New Inuyasha figures are always adorably sitting, even if you don’t tell them “Osuwari!”【Pics】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Check out this 8m robot that appeared on Tokyo’s waterfront【Video】
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
“Bear” voted Japan’s Kanji of the Year for 2025 in extremely close race
Posthumous “Gwegh, I’m deadngo” tweet sparks nationwide cancer awareness movement in Japan
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
More people in Japan quit sending New Year’s cards and many have started to regret it
Studio Ghibli’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind becomes wristwatch of Seiko【Photos】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Leave a Reply