Long before China cemented its status as a global superpower, it was an up-and-coming nation. But even close to a century ago, the nation's beauty was undeniable, leading to several stunning snaps that have withstood the test of time.
From airplane photos to the influence of Art Deco and even tourists taking a trip to the Great Wall, here are 20 fascinating historical pics from 1930s China.
1
“Pujie, brother of the last Emperor of China (Puyi) and his Japanese wife Hiro Saga, with one of their daughters. Their arranged marriage was considered happy and their last surviving daughter Husheng would help in promoting a better relationship between Japan and China, 1930's Japan.”
2
“Simple bridge made from two chains in China, circa 1930.”
3
“A Chinese boy soldier during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Hankou, China. 1938.”
4
“Art Deco Stylings,Tianjin, China, 1930s.”
5
“The last Empress of China, Wanrong, smoking next to her husband the last Emperor of China, Puyi (1930).”
6
“Man standing outside a banker's guild house. Shanghai, China, 1930.”
7
Young girls dance in China, circa 1932.
8
“Chiang Kai-shek's portrait in Tiananmen Square, 1930’s.”
9
“44-year-old Mao Zedong in Yan'an, North-West China, 1937.”
10
“A cadet at the Central Military Academy in the Republic of China, c. 1930’s.”
11
“My grandma in 1930s China. She grew up in an era where girls were still getting their feet bound and went on to become a college physics professor.”
12
“Aisin Gioro Puyi (left), the last emporer of China, and his younger brother Pujie (right). (1930).”
13
“Umbrella repairman, China, ca.1930.”
14
“My mother in law’s family photo taken in the early 1930’s. Guangzhou, China.”
15
“Emporer Aisin Gioro Puyi of China. (1930’s)”
16
“Chinese defending the Great Wall of China against Japanese invasion, 1938, Laiyuan, Hebei, China.”
17
“Chinese troops on the Great Wall near Luowenyu Pass, Hebei Province, China, 1933 during the Inner Mongolian Campaign.”
18
“The Bund of Shanghai, China, c. 1932.”
19
“My grandparents on the wing of a fighter plane, China, late 1930s, early 1940s. He was an aircraft engineer for the Republic of China Air Force.”
20
“My great grandfather being a bada— in China, 1930.”
