In June 2018, the main project of Shapingba High-Speed Railway Station was completed.

Original appearance of Shapingba Railway Station and its surrounding, 2010

Night view of Yanggongqiao Interchage, 2012

Night view of Yanggongqiao Interchange, 1998

People used to fly kites in Pingdingshan on sunny days, 1995

Today's Pingdingshan Park is still a good place for city residents to fly kites.

Worker’s dormitory of Chongqing Jiangbei Enamel Factory, Shimen Bridge, August 1988

Shimen Bridge Light Market, Jiabin Road, Hongyan Village, February 2012

CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Song Mingkun, 72, is a witness of urban construction. Since April 1988, when he returned to Shapingba, Chongqing from Lanzhou, Gansu, he took up his camera in his spare time and recorded the changes of the city continuously for more than 30 years.

Yanggongqiao Interchange

He presses the shutter when the city is lighted

Chongqing Yanggongqiao Interchange is a highway traffic hub on the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway. It was built in 1995 and put into use in 1998. It is the largest highway interchange in southwest China at that time.

From the beginning of the construction of the scene in April 1955, to 1997 when it was put into operation, and then to the completion of the Yanggongqiao Interchange in 1998...... At each important time, Song Mingkun would climb to a high building, select the best location, and press the shutter when the city is lighted.

Pingdingshan Park

Paradise for kite enthusiasts

Pingdingshan Park is mainly featured by mountain landscape, covering an area of 160,000 square meters. The roof is a huge viewing platform where you can overlook Shapingba with an open square. It is a good place for kite enthusiasts.

"In the 1980s and 1990s, Pingdingshan was still in its original state. There was a huge dam on the mountain, which was a place for people to have fun. On sunny days, people often gathered there to fly kites.” Song Mingkun said. Pingdingshan Park was rebuilt around 2000. No matter how it changes, it is still a paradise for residents to fly kites because of the high wind speed on the mountain.

Shimen Bridge

Have you ever seen its old look?

"When I first arrived in Shapingba, the main project of the Shimen Bridge was completed and the approach bridge at both ends was being built." According to Song Mingkun, the construction of the 716-meter-long Shimen Bridge was started on December 25, 1985 and completed on December 25, 1988.

In August 1988, Song Mingkun photographed the Shimen Bridge which was under construction in the dormitory of Jiangbei Enamel Factory. After the bridge being put into operation the following year, he continued to shoot it from the same location and angle. He recorded the Shimen Bridge from many angles, such as Jiabin Road, Beibin Road and Longquandong in Hongyan village……As a witness, he documented the growth of the bridge.

Shapingba Railway Station

Nirvana and Rebirth

Like the Jialing River Cableway, Shapingba Railway Station, built in 1979, is also the memory of the city for many old Chongqing residents. On the morning of May 8, 2011, Shapingba Railway Station retired from history as the last green train left for Nanchong.

In December 2012, Shapingba Railway Comprehensive Transportation Hub Renovation Project began, which also marked the nirvana and rebirth of Shapingba Railway Station. These years, Shapingba Railway Station Comprehensive Transport Hub Project is the main focus of Song Mingkun. "I remember that I was standing on the edge of the roof of the 20th floor and taking photos last year when the main project of Shapingba High-Speed Railway Station was capped. I felt a little scared and worried that I would fall down if I was not careful." Recalling the shooting experience of the project, Song Mingkun still feels a little scared. Some precious images come really not easy for him. (Translated by Luo Juan, Fathom Language Limited)