Less than a thousand of these old homes edging the city remain, after skyscrapers have taken over the area. All photos by Marie-Claire Holmes.
Old and new in a constant state of flux.
An Art Deco look to this modern building. Note the cranes in the background. According to a recent BBC report, more than half the world's cranes are currently in China.
More high-rises vie for attention.
Shoppers in the rain.
Children play games in a doorway.
A game of Mah-jongg.
Clothes drying next to a business.
Plants - including lucky jade - line this balcony.
Boats and houses.
Performing a traditional fan dance.
More traditional performers.
This is the fourth in a series of pieces about modern China. Scroll down the page for Parts I, II and III.
excellent, beautiful pictures. congrats. I visited china 4 times and experienced very similar situations. only your pics are much better than mine. congrats again!
Gina from Germany
Posted by: Gina | 21 August 2008 at 23:38
Many of the folks I worked with this week are Chinese, interesting to talk with them about their thoughts of the olympics et al....
Posted by: stephanie | 16 August 2008 at 06:12
One of my over-riding memories of China was the sheer number of cranes EVERYWHERE! It really felt like the whole country was one big building site. Also they use bamboo as scaffolding which seems very strange as it surrounds big, new modern structures.
Posted by: Kamsin | 14 August 2008 at 11:34
excellent photos!
Posted by: vesper de vil | 14 August 2008 at 03:32
Tara, I've so enjoyed all your China photos. They are just incredible. Thank you for sharing them--and your thoughts too. I always learn from you!
Posted by: Wonders Never Cease | 14 August 2008 at 02:37
Tara
These photographs are great. I loved the one of the shoppers in the rain, for in it China looks clean, organized, happy.
xo
Posted by: Gillian | 14 August 2008 at 00:52
The photos in this series are fantastic.
Posted by: Margaret | 13 August 2008 at 20:22