Shanghai in the 19th Century

Ancient Shanghai city wall near the Bund, 1850.

COMMENTS FROM MINDS

soxfan1957
Would have loved to walk around this.

All Things Chinese
Shanghai city walls are no longer there, demolished about 100 years ago.

Eric
I am constantly amazed at how the people in ancient times, Roman Collisium as an example, can stand for thousands of years while we in modern times seem to have them demolished or falling apart in less than 100. But we are so technically advanced it seems. (Tounge in cheek there)

soxfan1957
Can’t make money building things that last. Technology showed us how to build things cheaper.

The north gate of Shanghai city wall, 1850.

COMMENTS FROM MINDS

Eric
That rounded arch I have always learned is a Roman invention, I wonder though if it somehow made its way to China or vice versa?? Maybe a universal thought was developed in both. Hmmmm 🤔

All Things Chinese
I tend to believe it’s a universal thought. The rounded part in Chinese city walls is only used to protect the entrance gate. Chinese cities were usually square, not round.

A Confucius temple in Shanghai in the 1850s.

COMMENTS FROM MINDS

Eric
The Confucian philosophy is still valuable, but it seems material desires can overwhelm it.😮

All Things Chinese
Confucius draws boundaries to people’s material desires so the civilisation could continue and progress.

Unrestrained human desire is just like decentralised democracy, which will only lead to one situation in which nobody’s desire can be met happily and peacefully as everyone is free to erode other people’s right to satisfy their material desire, and nobody’s voice will be heard and respected as everyone is free to suppress other people’s right to express their opinions.

Eric
Sort of like political correctness, fems and LGBT lot that’s happening today.

All Things Chinese
Anything that goes extreme will be harmful.

Look at how the “How Dare You” girl pushes the idea of environmental protection to the extreme! Her face and eyes are full of hatred – I doubt she is capable of loving the environment but just hates the people.

Eric
Yes, I think that is this issue I see so much, that disturbs me, in such as there’s no room for a way to common ground or to reach a resolution. Until the pendulum begins to swing back again.

All Things Chinese
That’s how yin-yang dual forces achieve a fragile balance through violent motions.

Shanghai Custom House along the Suzhou River near the Bund, 1859.

COMMENTS FROM MINDS

Eric
Wait, did the British build that one? lol 😅

All Things Chinese
This was built before the British reigned the part of Shanghai 😉

By then China was under the rule of Manchus who prohibited foreigners from entering China, although (and precisely because) they were foreigners themselves. 😫

Shanghai Custom House at The Bund, 1859.

Longhua Pagoda, Shanghai, 1857

The pagoda, located in today’s Xuhui District in Shanghai CBD, was initially built with timber during the Three Kingdoms Period in the 3rd century.

The current masonry structure with 8 facades was erected during the North Song Dynasty (960–1127).

A night scene of 900-year-old Longhua Pagoda today in Shanghai CBD.

A long bridge near Longhua Pagoda, Shanghai, 1859.

Shanghai outskirts in 1857 – An arched stone bridge in Songjiang.

The Tranquil Dragon Bridge (安龙桥) was initially built during the Song Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty during the Chenghua Era (1465-1487).

Just wonder where the balustrades are.

COMMENTS FROM MINDS

Eric
I do wonder if there was a lot of singing during the Song dynasty 😎😀😂😂😂

All Things Chinese
Yep, the most popular is “Nanqu” (Southern Tune), which is the basis of Kunqu Opera music.

soxfan1957
Had to look balustrades up. Yep doesn’t appear to be any here 😀

All Things Chinese
This bridge should be rated MA15+ or at least PG: children under 15 are not permitted to step onto it without being accompanied by adults 🤪

A Shanghai village in 1850.

COMMENTS FROM MINDS

Eric
Built on the banks of the river for easy transport access. Love it.

All Things Chinese
And more importantly for freshwater supply for daily needs.

Tai’an bridge in Zhujiajiao Town, Shanghai, 1858.

The stone arch bridge was built in 1584 during the Ming Dynasty.

Tai’an bridge today.