CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- From the 1980s to the present, Chongqing has undergone earth-shaking changes. Old buildings and things have been given a new look. Do you know their old looks?

Hongyadong: stilted buildings look as before

Hongyadong in the 1980s

In the 1980s, houses under the city wall in Hongyadong fell into layers, which was a typical stilted house in Chongqing. 

The present appearance of Hongyadong

Today's Hongyadong, has become a national level "web celebrity" attraction. When night falls and lights are all on, Hongyadong will transform into an incredible scene in Spirited Away. Scattered stilted buildings among the dimly seen distant high-rise buildings, ancient and modern intertwined into a magnificent fantasy picture. 

People’s Park: a "pure land" in the prosperous city

People's park in the 1980s

Located in the prosperous area of Chongqing, People's Park was built and started to open in 1929. It has been 90 years since then, and is the first park in the history of Chongqing. When the park was opened, it was named Central Park. During the Anti-Japanese War, the central park was renamed Zhongshan Park. After liberation, it was named People's Park.

Summer is coming, and the People's Park is like a summer resort for local people. There are winding mountain roads and stone steps, well planned green belt, pavilion gallery and monument in the park, making it an excellent place for people to relax, enjoy tea and play chess.

The present People's Park 

In 2018, People's Park underwent reform and transformation, creating "Seven Scenic Spots along One Axis and One Belt". While fully exploiting and utilizing the park's historical and cultural resources, some landscape facilities and buildings were retained and newly built. 

People's park not only carries the heavy history of old Chongqing, but also has a new life, becoming a "pure land" in the prosperous city.

Lianglukou Cable Car has been replaced by Huangguan Escalator

Lianglukou Cable Car in the 1980s

Lianglukou Cable Car was built in 1953 and transported 9,000 passengers every day. After the transformation in the 1980s, it transported 58,000 passengers on a daily basis and was one of the important transportation means in Chongqing. In 1996, the Huangguan Escalator was built and operated, and Lianglukou Cable Car retired from the stage of history.

The present Huangguan Escalator

Huangguan Escalator started to be built in February 1993, and was completed and put into operation on February 18, 1996. The total length is 112 meters, the width is 1.3 meters, the lifting height is 52.7 meters, the inclination is 30 degrees, and the operation speed is 0.75 meters per second. The whole process runs for 2 minutes and 30 seconds consisting of three escalators: upper and lower ladders and spare ladders. With a maximum capacity of 13,000 passengers per hour, it is the second longest grade I escalator in Asia.

As a characteristic travel mode of mountain city, Huangguan Escalator also frequently appears in some TV shows. It has become a characteristic traffic tourist attraction of Chongqing.

Chaotianmen: it was named for that many imperial envoys came to proclaim the imperial edict in the past 

Chaotianmen in the 1980s

Chaotianmen in the 1980s certainly wasn’t certainly as gorgeous as it is now, but the intersection of the two rivers and the collision of the waves are enough to delight the viewer.

The present Chaotianmen

In Chaotianmen, Raffles City stands out for its unique shape and is often used as a photoshop for sci-fi scenes by netizens because of its cyberpunk style. It was even once popular abroad, described by Daily Mail as an incredible "Horizontal Skyscraper". (Translated by Luo Juan, Fathom Language Limited)