Curious Photos from the Past of Asian Countries (21 photos)

The life of Asian countries during the 20th century is a story of dramatic changes, from colonial subjugation to rapid economic growth and technological modernization. The period was marked by struggles for independence, social transformation and wars.





"At the Heights." China, 1980.

Chinese women perform maintenance work on high-voltage electrical cables at the Fushin Power Station.



A family of internally displaced persons huddle between freight cars in Sinmak. North Korea, 1950.

The joint UN forces during the Inchon landing in September 1950 occupied most of North Korea, forcing the USSR and the PRC to intervene. A powerful attack by peaceful Chinese volunteers, with technical support from the USSR and desperate support from locals, abruptly changed the balance of power, forcing those who were rapidly advancing to turn into those who were rapidly retreating. And if the active UN forces retreated in relatively good order, then the demobilized, wounded, and simply locals collaborating with the occupiers left the cities on regular civilian transport, which, of course, was overcrowded for such an occasion.





Photographer: Max Desfort

The gate of the shrine on Miyajima Island. Japan, 1930.

Miyajima is a small island near Hiroshima in Japan. Officially called Itsukushima, but more often called Miyajima, which in Japanese means "island of shrines"

Is one of the most famous and symbolic of Japan. This grand bright red gate is located right in the water off the coast of the island, which makes its appearance especially impressive.



A Vietnamese refugee with his children returns to war-torn Hue, 1968.

Unlike his children, the father is enthusiastic. Although the main wealth is in his hands.



Photographer: Terry Fincher

Muslim women pray at sunrise over the Himalayas in Srinagar, Kashmir, India, 1948.



Photographer: Henri Cartier-Bresson

A Vietnamese welder, 1975. From a subscriber: The process of metal surfacing on the worn cylindrical part of the wheel pair, which is the inner part of the plain bearing, is taking place. The work is boring and tedious. After surfacing, excess metal is ground off with a cutter on a special lathe.



A Japanese man looks at the peak of the sacred Mount Fuji, 1930.

Another symbol of Japan. Fujiyama is one of the most famous and revered symbols of Japan. It is an active volcano, although it has been considered dormant for many centuries. Its perfectly symmetrical cone shape makes it one of the most recognizable natural features in the world.



A successful merchant. Shanghai, China, 1938.



Seoul, Korea, 1959.



A Korean sailor on a sailboat, 1904.

This is a popular photograph from the Cornell University Library collection. The caption reads:

A Korean sailor takes a break from hauling cargo and people, sitting in the shade of a sail and smoking from his long bamboo pipe. He is wearing hemp cloth.



Japan, 1983.

Cherry blossoms represent beauty, new life, and the beginning of spring. In Japan, cherry blossoms are not just trees — they are symbols of national pride, spirituality, and unity. Every year, tourists from all over the world fly to Japan to see this beauty.



Photographer: Eduard Buba

Elderly pipe smokers. China, 1936.

They are most likely smoking opium. Opium was one of the most acute social problems in China at the beginning of the 20th century. Its spread had a huge impact on the country, exacerbating its vulnerability to external forces and internal degradation. This period was the result of a long history of opium trade, which began in the 19th century.



Young girls. Japan, 1930.



A Japanese couple taking a photo, 1959.

For a long time now, Japan has been the most advanced country in the production of photographic equipment.

Japan began developing its optical industry in the early 20th century. Companies such as Canon (founded in 1937) and Nikon (founded in 1917) began producing lenses for microscopes and movie cameras, which laid the foundation for further development of technology.

After the war, Japanese companies gained access to new technologies and materials thanks to cooperation with the United States. This allowed them to quickly modernize production and take a significant share of the world market.



Seoul Station, 1950.



Photographer: Carl Mydans

Woman and little girls in a village. China, 1930s.



A street scene in the capital of Keijo (also known as Seoul), Korea, 1944.

From the source: The Japanese turned it into a modern city. The building in the foreground is a Mitsubishi department store.



Children of Singapore, 1962.



Photographer: John Pratt

Bangkok, Thailand, 1924.



Robot "Master Ichiro" by Jiro Aizawa. Tokyo, Japan, 1959.

Engineer Jiro Aizawa created this 6-foot tall humanoid robot named "Master Ichiro" that can walk and talk using microphones in its head.