1982–Market Day in Huxian. Only agricultural products were for sale, and the four-story building here was the tallest structure in town.
2005–Postmodern store display in Huxian. The display wouldn’t look out of place in most American cities.
1982–A typical general store. Photo by Kent Orgain.
2005–Modern merchandising in downtown Xi’an, using mannequins inspired by the city’s famous archeological site, the Army of Terracotta Soldiers.
1981–Downtown Xi’an from the west gate of the city wall. The only motorized traffic was city buses and an occasional truck.
2005–Downtown from the west gate of the city wall. Multi-story buildings decorated with Tang Dynasty flourishes replace traditional old structures. Recognizable from 1981 is the restyled red and white building on the left.
1981–Itinerant quilt fluffers are some of Xi’an’s early entrepreneurs
2005–A Sunday afternoon in Xi’an’s high tech zone.
1981–Donkey cart near the South Gate.
2005–Evening rush hour near the South Gate.
1981–A vendor arrives at the free market with chickens he has transported on his bike.
2005– Bikes are still used for transport in some of Xi’an’s narrow streets.
1982–Much of life was lived outdoors in the old neighborhoods within the city wall.
2005–Gated community in Xi’an’s high tech zone. Note luxury car, mechanized street sweeper, office towers, and no pedestrians.