Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s

By Bridget O'Donnell, January 16, 2017

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Hong Kong photographer Alex Ng was always fascinated in traveling to the Chinese mainland. So as a college student majoring in journalism in the 1980s, he decided to take a few trips there and bring his camera along.  

Writing of the experience on Bored Panda, he said:

"To many locals born in Hong Kong in the 60s, Chinese mainland in the 70s & 80s was so near and yet so far. Although Chinese mainland was at the doorstep, it was like a land of mystery."

He recently shared his photos online ahead of an exhibition. The incredible images show just how much China has changed in three decades.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Manchuria Railway Train from the Qing Dynasty, Dalian, 1985.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Port of Dalian, 1985.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
White Dragonhead (The Eastern Tip of the Great Wall), 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
A prairie in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Hohhot Railway Station, Inner Mongolia, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Song Dynasty Imperial Tombs, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Baotu Spring in Jinan, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Passengers at Jinan station, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Shaolin Monk at Songshan, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
White Horse Temple, Luoyang, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Suzhou Ancient Grand Canal, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Snack stand in Suzhou, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Suzhou Water Town, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
The Forbidden City, Beijing, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Tiananmen Square, Beijing, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Zhengyangmen (otherwise known as 'Qianmen'), Beijing, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Xuanwumen, Beijing, 1985.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Summer Palace, Beijing, 1985.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Trolleybus in front of the National Art Museum in Beijing, 1987.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
West Lake, Hangzhou, 1984.

Amazing Photos Show How Much China Has Changed Since the 1980s
Bell Tower, Xi'an, 1984.

[Images via Alex Ng]

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