A roadside stall from half a century ago revived in its original spot – a time-traveling journey through 500 retro photos of Taiwan

▲ U.S. soldiers stationed in Taiwan in 1968 return to Taipei’s Chang’an West Road in 2014. (Photo courtesy of Chang Che-sheng, used with permission; same applies to all following images. Please do not reproduce without authorization to avoid copyright infringement.)

Reported by Chen Rui-zhong, Taipei

With the widespread use of camera phones and digital cameras, taking hundreds of photos while traveling has become commonplace. But in the early days, those photos that could only be seen after being developed have quietly become the best witnesses to historical change.

▲ A comparison photo of the Eternal Building taken in 1978 and 2013.

Online user Chang Che-sheng used to frequently share retro cartoon videos and information on his Facebook fan page. But several years ago, he began sharing historic old photos, which encouraged other users to share their own treasured vintage images. Having grown up in Taipei’s Ximending district, Chang was moved by these nostalgic and emotionally resonant old photos of his hometown. He came up with the idea of blending the old photos with modern street scenes, and in 2013 started a series of “old-meets-new” photo creations, earning him the title of an alternative “time traveler.”

▲ A convoy of tricycle taxis from May 1, 1951, returns to the Presidential Office.

During this process, Chang was also inspired by similar works from Europe and America with the same concept. As a result, today (May 12), he selected 23 works from over 500 photos merging old and new culture to upload to his fan page (Chang Che-sheng’s Time-Traveling Taipei), each accompanied by the historical stories behind the images and tales of how much things have changed. These scenes, familiar yet strange, also evoked memories among many netizens.

▲ The Hamburger King Nanjing branch from November 11, 1986, reappears in 2015.

Whether it’s Taiwan’s very first McDonald’s (1986), the Eternal Building in 1978, or even a major fire that broke out at the First Hotel on March 16, 1968 — all have traveled through time to reappear in modern society. Seeing vintage signs and rickshaws reemerge in bustling 2015 makes these old photos all the more vivid and precious.

▲ The Chinese dragon on Zhongshan Hall Plaza soars from 1972 to 2014.

In an interview with ETtoday News Cloud, Chang Che-sheng said that he would print out the old photos and take them to the actual locations to compare. He also uses computer compositing techniques to merge “old subjects + new environments,” creating new visual works. Some scenes have changed drastically, while others have only shifted slightly. Blending the old settings into new environments highlights the differences even more.

▲ A then-and-now comparison of Taiwan’s first McDonald’s on September 28, 1986.

In addition to sharing images, Chang also collects and compiles relevant information so that netizens can better understand the background and context of the scenes in the photos. Beyond online research, he also visits the sites in person to consult elderly locals, ensuring the accurate retelling of each photo’s story.

▲ People from 1972 time-travel to Taipei’s Xingtian Temple in 2014 to pray.

For example, when interviewing the owner of the Chung-Hwa Western Pharmacy, established in 1945, the owner expressed deep nostalgia for the taste of the neighboring “Yi Fen Li Noodle Shop” from his childhood (now the site of Park No. Plum Juice). So Chang specially used compositing techniques to make Yi Fen’s noodle stand, tables, chairs, and customers travel half a century to reappear next to the Chung-Hwa pharmacy, allowing the owner to relive that childhood memory.

▲ Yi Fen Noodle Shop, time-traveling across half a century in 1966.

Among the 500-plus photos, the one Chang Che-sheng finds hardest to forget is a picture of himself as a toddler, taken with his mother when they visited the Lover’s Temple in Beitou. Thirty-nine years later, Chang brought his mother back to the same spot on Mother’s Day. Despite the temple now looking vastly different, they took another photo together. Chang happily said, “Back then, it was Mom holding me. Now, it’s me holding her!”

▲ A reunion photo of Chang Che-sheng and his mother, 39 years later, back at the same place.

Since he already has other work commitments, Chang currently has no plans for a public exhibition. He revealed that he hopes the power of online sharing will serve as a catalyst, encouraging more people to take time-traveling comparison photos with their family and friends, while also witnessing the enduring strength of relationships and the changes of history.

More then-and-now time-traveling photos＜＜＜＜ Click here