Wait… That’s the Same Place? Then vs. Now Around the World

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John Summers • Contributor
Jul 29, 2025 9:00 PM EDT

Cities change. That's kind of their thing. But looking at these side-by-side images of the world's most iconic cities before they were, well, iconic feels like time travel with a twist. This list gives you 23 snapshots from the past and present of places like Rio, Seoul, Dubai, Manhattan, and Hong Kong — showing just how far we've come, and in some cases, how far we've strayed.

Some skylines have gone from sleepy to sci-fi in just a few decades. Others are barely recognizable under all the steel, glass, and... whatever that architectural trend was in the 80s. It's beautiful, it's jarring, it's nostalgic, and it's weirdly comforting to know that no city is ever really finished.

Whether you're into urban history, old maps, or just like judging city planners, this one's for you.

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  • 01

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    1899 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 02

    Seoul, South Korea

    ORHP 텟사 1900 NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 03

    Hong Kong

    1950s NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 04

    Manhattan

    1600s NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 05

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    1990 2020 EMAAR ORHP
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 06

    Tokyo, Japan

    1945 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 07
    1945 NOW Tokyo, Japan ORHP
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 08

    Toronto, Canada

    1953 2020s
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 09

    Shanghai, China

    Shanghai 1990 ORHP Shanghai 2020s
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 10

    Moscow, Russia.

    1882 ORHP NOW PECTO
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 11

    Paris, France

    1900 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 12

    Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany

    1945 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 13

    Istanbul, Turkey

    ORHP 4 am 1905 NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 14

    Singapore, Republic of Singapore

    1900 ©RHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 15

    London, Great Britain

    ORHP m 1950 NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 16

    Düsseldorf, Germany.

    1990 @G NOW ORHP
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 17

    Boston, USA.

    ORHP Like Oodwork Winston: 1987 Mak NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 18

    Rotterdam, Netherlands

    1940 ORHP NOW m
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 19

    Sydney, Australia.

    1930 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 20

    Detroit, US

    1882 ORHP 2011
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 21

    Main Street, Deadwood, Dakota, US

    1877 ANK POSTACO LE LIQUOR DEALERS IRWIN&ELLVADE ARDW WESTERN MINING HISTORY BODEGA COLHERES C-STORA RALGON 2020s M. MUGI DEALER
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 22

    Dresden, Germany

    1957 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 23

    St. Margaret’s Bay, Canada

    1894 NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos

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