Beijing Then and Now

by Brian Page

Explore the unique city of Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China. Regarded as a political, educational, and cultural center, the city is the second most populated in China. Just in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, experience the glorious attractions of this ancient capital for yourself in Beijing Then and Now. Captivating then-and-now photographs highlight urban Beijing's blend of traditional architecture alongside the city's more modern buildings. Tour the city's well-known landmarks, including Tiananmen Square (Gate of Heavenly Peace), the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, Ming Tombs, Great Wall, and the Forbidden City, which was the former residence of the emperors of China. View fascinating street scenes, along with images of the city's walls and gates, the Drum and Bell Towers, the Ancient Observatory, Confucious Temple, the Legation district, and the Marco Polo Bridge. From the ancient walls of this capital city to the contemporary buildings of Beijing, the photographs collected in Beijing Then and Now portray a majestic city that is experiencing vast expansion and development.

Genres: China, History, Photography

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2007

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful "then and now" rephotography book — with lengthy accompanying captions — that serves as an unintentional companion to the even more delightful The Great Wall Revisited: From the Jade Gate to Old Dragon's Head, (although author and main photographer Brian Page isn't as obsessive about recreating photos from the exact same spot as was William Lindesay in that book — which in many cases would be impossible anyway, since a location like "atop the old city wall" would now be in the middle of a six-lane highway!). It also ties in nicely with A Photographer in Old Peking; in fact, several of the photos here come from the Hedda Morrison collection now housed at Harvard University.

This book was published in 2007 in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, and so a number of "today" photos show monuments and entire neighborhoods swathed in construction netting and other temporary (and ugly) materials. But otherwise, beautiful pictures throughout.

The "now" of course is already almost twenty years out of date, and so I can only imagine how much more things have changed as Beijing continues to redefine itself in the 21st Century, (in particular, I can only imagine that what few original hutongs remained before the Olympics have largely been wiped out since then). But still, a city I would sorely love to revisit again someday for an extended period, where I could explore at leisure and beyond the common tourist traps.

The "Then and Now" series published by Thunder Bay (in the U.S.) and Pavilion Books (in the U.K. and Australia) includes nearly 75 titles, although almost 50 of them are U.S. cities (blech), and only this one is set in Asia. As with so many similar books lately, I found this treasure for under $3 at McKay Used Books in Manassas...the things people choose to get rid of! And also, no wonder so many Americans are so very ignorant about the rest of the world!!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An photobook on the old and New Beijing. I wished I could find another book on the old and New Japan.

As I flipped through each page, looking at the pictures of the then Beijing, and comparing them with the modern-day Beijing, my head would automatically play the music for the opening scene of the famous Japanese Drama 'Jin'. xD

Looking forward to go there! Insya-Allah. :D