In the long course of history, the world's famous cities have undergone great changes. When we travel through time and space and compare the faces of these cities in the past and present, we can't help but marvel at the greatness of human civilization and the power of the times. From lush rainforests to bustling cities, from tranquil beaches to bustling streets, the changes are jaw-dropping. Today, let's explore the stories behind these cities and feel the weight of history and the vitality of modernity.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, was a barren land in the 1960s, but now ranks alongside Dubai as the two richest emirates in the UAE, sitting on 70% of the country's oil reserves.
Las Vegas, 1957 and the present, is unbelievably the same place, with only faint traces of the past faintly recognizable by the mountains in the distance.
Seeing what Doha, the capital of Qatar, looked like in 1970 is simply shocking, and the changes are staggering.
In less than 20 years, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, has risen from a barren land to a cyberpunk metropolis, and the King's Tower, which is under construction, shows its ambition.
Dubai, in the 1980s, was a desolate place in the world around the Dubai World Trade Centre, but now it is the most futuristic place in the world, with yellow buildings as a testament to history.
Sydney, in 1932, was a modern metropolis before the famous landmark Sydney Opera House was built.
In the center of Athens, in contrast to the current year, the city of Lycabettus in 1862 is expanding and gradually swallowing up the mountain, and the historical and cultural city seems to be gradually losing its original charm.
Aerial view of Grant Park in Chicago, USA, although it may not seem to have changed much, but the above picture was taken in 1929, and the precipitation of time has made the city more and more charming.
The contrast between Amsterdam, 1861 and the present day is staggering, and the original traces can only be found in the comparison of the old and new maps.
Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma, the contrast between 1870 and the present, is a jaw-dropping testament to the city's vicissitudes.
Looking at Chicago from the air, the contrast between 1936 and the present feels like a world away from the world, only the difference between color and black and white.
Melbourne, the contrast between the 1950s and the present, where skyscrapers dominate the Melbourne skyline, while smaller buildings still exist, highlighting the city's unique charm.
The Petronas Twin Towers area of Kuala Lumpur was around 1993 when the tallest buildings were now submerged in high-rise buildings.
Los Angeles, the City of Angels, in 1930 compared to today, the building in the foreground used to be an observatory, now used for observing the sun, and light pollution has made the city's starry sky no longer bright.
The changing skyline of Seattle in the United States, an old photo taken in the 1960s, has given the city a new lease of life after 60 years.
In Singapore's 1970s and present-day photographs, the two bridges are a testament to time, telling the story of how the city has transformed from a resource-poor location to a cosmopolitan city.
Looking back at the past and present of Seoul and Seoul, it is like stepping back in time. The city survived World War II and the Korean War, and was reborn like a phoenix in the "Miracle of the Han River", jumping from the ruins to one of the world's top 10 metropolises.
In the comparison of the Thames River in London from 1859 to the present, we can feel the coexistence of historical weight and modern innovation. The area close to Old London's city centre remains largely unchanged, while the new London Eye has become a new urban landmark, reflecting the city's ongoing vibrancy.
Tokyo was almost razed to the ground in 1945, but it was rebuilt and rebuilt in a short period of time due to a variety of factors. Today, it has become a huge, bustling and bustling megacity that is breathtaking.
Istanbul 1973 and the present day photos reveal the great role of the First Bosphorus Bridge in the development of the city. The completion of the bridge allowed the city to rapidly expand across the strait, opening a new chapter in Istanbul's modernization process.
The contrast between Manhattan in 1935 and today shows how the city has expanded and grown. At that time, Manhattan was already taking on the prototype of what it is today, and the land reclamation work was still underway on the left side of the red circle building, which became a strong proof of the city's continuous upward and outward development.
The contrast between Shanghai Lujiazui, 1994 and today, highlights the city's rapid growth in just a few decades. Standing alone above the skyline at that time, the Oriental Pearl Tower has now become one of the landmarks of the bustling metropolis, witnessing Shanghai's magnificent transformation from a tidal flat to an international metropolis.
The change in Toronto's skyline, the contrast between 1976 and the present is a testament to the city's determination and strength to modernize. Fresh from the completion of the National Tower of Canada, Toronto has emerged as an influential modern metropolis that attracts people from all over the world to visit and settle down.
The contrast between Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour in the early 20th century and the present day gives people a sense of the unique charm brought to the city by the vicissitudes of time. Looking down at Victoria Harbour from Victoria Hill behind it, only this perspective can tell that it is the same place. After a century of ups and downs, Hong Kong still retains its charm and continues to write new legends.
Before the human invasion of Rio, Brazil, the dense tropical rainforest covered the entire city, and the beach was quiet and uninhabited, as if it was a unique secret hidden in the gap of time. However, with the process of urbanization, this paradisiacal natural beauty has gradually faded into the midst of high-rise buildings and bustling tourists, leaving only a few old photos for us to remember.
In the contrast between Paris in the 1900s and the present, it is amazing the city's efforts to preserve the landscape of the ancient city. While modern skyscrapers have sprung up, they are all far removed from the Old Town, allowing the old charm of Paris to be preserved. This respect for history has made Paris a world city where the old and the modern coexist in harmony.
Looking at Shenzhen from Hong Kong's Jade Garden Hill, we can see the city's transformation from a small fishing village in the British colony to a metropolis that has attracted global attention. This kind of vicissitudes of life makes people sigh at the power of time and the wisdom and courage of human beings.
Mumbai's 1910 versus the present day shows the rise and prosperity of a natural deep-water port. From a small fishing village to one of the wealthiest cities in India, it has become known as the "Little Shanghai of India". Mumbai's transformation has witnessed the rise and growth of Peninsular India in the face of globalization.