On May 25, nearly 1,000 precious old photos were shown at the Chongqing Municipal Research Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and were included as among the first historical images by the newly-established Chongqing Historical Imagery and Oral History Research Center.

The Chongqing Municipal Research Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with the Chongqing's History Research Association and the Chongqing Institute of Returned Culture and Art. "We hope that the three parties will leverage their respective academic resources and advantages in the field of historical imagery and oral history to jointly promote the application of historical imagery and oral history research in urban renewal and rural revitalization so as to facilitate the development of tourism and culture across Chongqing," said Bai Jiujiang, director of the Chongqing Municipal Research Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.

Bai Jiujiang said that after its establishment, the center would solicit old photos from photographers who recorded the urban development of Chongqing. "We can help digitalize the photos and build a platform for inquiry."

Zhou Yong, president of the Chongqing's History Research Association, said that the study of historical images and oral history would help dramatically enhance our understanding of the urban history of China and enable us to see the changes in the cities. Also, the historical imagery we see thanks to the development of digital technology will help us improve the Chinese history research system.

The Chongqing Institute of Returned Culture and Art transferred the first historical images to the newly established Chongqing Historical Imagery and Oral History Research Center, highlighting the signing ceremony. According to Zhang Zhenfei, executive director of the Chongqing Institute of Returned Culture and Art, who collected and sorted out the precious images, there are 1,000 photos of the landmarks and historical moments of Chongqing from the late Qing Dynasty to the early 20th century and the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression period.

Zhang Zhenfei took about ten photos of the ceremony. Every one of them is striking. For example, in an old, grainy photo, stilted buildings extend all the way up from both sides of a stone staircase by the river, which is spectacular. The towering masts on the large and small boats reflect upon the river water, bending like snakes. This is the Chaotianmen Dock in the early 20th century.

Visitors to Giant Buddha Temple today may not catch sight of the  Yangtze River. However, a photo of the temple kept at ETH Zurich shows that a statue of Buddha is just situated upon the river and a long stone staircase leads from its feet to the riverfront. Tourists and believers who just got off the boat could see the solemn Buddha just by looking up.

Some people carry buckets or baskets up and down, those who sit on the city wall in a daze, and those who climb up the stairs while fanning themselves. Dongshui Gate in the early 20th century in the black and white photo seems so enlivened. It is so amazingly full of life.

Where did these precious pieces come from?

The Chongqing Institute of Returned Culture and Art, which collected and sorted these precious historical images, has been devoted to studying historical photos and oral history for many years with rich experience. It was not an easy task for the staff. "We would look for relevant people first, and then documents and materials. Then we follow the clue," said Zhang Zhenfei.

"We may resort to our experience and find out who from France or the US visited Chongqing in different eras and when they came." Zhang Zhenfei said that photos could be found from the documents kept or books written by them. "We might sometimes find one or two photos of Chongqing from a book all about the Yangtze River."

Zhang Zhenfei said that there are scholars and history lovers at home and abroad that have been studying China in the eyes of Westerners for years. "Although the published books mainly rely on words, precious photos are often included."

Another way of collecting photos deserves to be mentioned. "Descendants of those who worked for consulates in the Sichuan-Chongqing area would visit here to get to know more about their ancestors' life and work." Zhang Zhenfei said that the photos brought back by them are also the institute's primary focus.