Take a look at how the skylines of cities across the globe have been transformed by commerce and politics.
Hong Kong transformed —
Take a look at how the skylines of cities across the globe have been transformed by commerce and politics.
getty images / lionel green / philippe lopez
Boats on the Huangpu River in Shanghai, in the early 1920s.
Shanghai, China -- circa 1920 —
Boats on the Huangpu River in Shanghai, in the early 1920s.
Hulton Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
People do their morning exercises in front of the skyline of the Lujiazui Financial District in Pudong, Shanghai, in 2015.
Shanghai, China -- 2015 —
People do their morning exercises in front of the skyline of the Lujiazui Financial District in Pudong, Shanghai, in 2015.
JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Tiananmen Square in Beijing, with the giant mausoleum of Chairman Mao at its center.
Beijing, China -- 1977 —
Tiananmen Square in Beijing, with the giant mausoleum of Chairman Mao at its center.
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
This aerial photo -- with the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square at its center and the hugely altered skyline in the background -- show's how Beijing has changed. Many cities across China underwent some of the most rapid urban development the world has ever seen over the past thirty years.
Beijing, China -- 2008 —
This aerial photo -- with the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square at its center and the hugely altered skyline in the background -- show's how Beijing has changed. Many cities across China underwent some of the most rapid urban development the world has ever seen over the past thirty years.
GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
New York's iconic Empire State Building was built in 1931. It is 443 meters (1,453 ft) tall, and claimed the title of world's tallest building until 1973, when the two World Trade Centers were built.
New York, USA -- circa 1950 —
New York's iconic Empire State Building was built in 1931. It is 443 meters (1,453 ft) tall, and claimed the title of world's tallest building until 1973, when the two World Trade Centers were built.
Lawrence Thornton/Archive Photos/Getty Images
New York is now home to several supertall buildings, including 432 Park Avenue, which is the tallest residential tower in the western hemisphere and the hundredth supertall building in the world.
New York, USA -- 2016 —
New York is now home to several supertall buildings, including 432 Park Avenue, which is the tallest residential tower in the western hemisphere and the hundredth supertall building in the world.
KENA BETANCUR/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Originally a small fishing village of around 30,000 people, Shenzhen's rapid growth began in 1980, when it was designated one of five special economic zones in China by the nation's then leader, Deng Xiaoping.
Shenzhen, China -- 2004 —
Originally a small fishing village of around 30,000 people, Shenzhen's rapid growth began in 1980, when it was designated one of five special economic zones in China by the nation's then leader, Deng Xiaoping.
SAMANTHA SIN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Shenzhen skyline, pictured in 2016 from the 69th floor of the Shun Hing Square building. Now a megacity, with a population exceeding 10 million people, Shenzhen is still one of the fastest growing cities in the world.
Shenzhen, China -- 2010 —
The Shenzhen skyline, pictured in 2016 from the 69th floor of the Shun Hing Square building. Now a megacity, with a population exceeding 10 million people, Shenzhen is still one of the fastest growing cities in the world.
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
A view from Victoria Peak overlooks the lower terraces of Hong Kong and the city's famous harbor in the early 1920s.
Hong Kong -- circa 1920 —
A view from Victoria Peak overlooks the lower terraces of Hong Kong and the city's famous harbor in the early 1920s.
Lionel Green/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Hong Kong has grown rapidly over the past thirty years with the city's proximity to China and strong rule of law helping transform it into a world financial and commerce hub.
Hong Kong, China -- 2015 —
Hong Kong has grown rapidly over the past thirty years with the city's proximity to China and strong rule of law helping transform it into a world financial and commerce hub.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A view of Raffles Quay, Singapore harbour, in the mid-1950s.
Singapore -- circa 1955 —
A view of Raffles Quay, Singapore harbour, in the mid-1950s.
Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The city-state of Singapore has grown into a regional services and business hub and is implementing plans to become a data-driven "smart city".
Singapore -- 2016 —
The city-state of Singapore has grown into a regional services and business hub and is implementing plans to become a data-driven "smart city".
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A bird's eye view of Seoul's Han river and its surrounds, taken in 2001.
Seoul, South Korea -- 2001 —
A bird's eye view of Seoul's Han river and its surrounds, taken in 2001.
KIM JAE-HWAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
With a population now pushing 25 million people, the metropolitan area of Seoul has grown to become one of the largest in the world.
Seoul, South Korea -- 2014 —
With a population now pushing 25 million people, the metropolitan area of Seoul has grown to become one of the largest in the world.
ED JONES/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A general view shows the Dubai Creek on April 5, 2005. A huge construction drive was underway in the city at the time, which was designed to consolidate the status of this Gulf emirate.
Dubai, UAE -- 2005 —
A general view shows the Dubai Creek on April 5, 2005. A huge construction drive was underway in the city at the time, which was designed to consolidate the status of this Gulf emirate.
NASSER YOUNES/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Dubai has positioned itself as a regional business and tourism hub and the city is currently home to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
Dubai, UAE -- 2016 —
Dubai has positioned itself as a regional business and tourism hub and the city is currently home to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
Cedric Ribeiro/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
This scene shows the skyline of downtown Tokyo, including the Tokyo Tower, on 30 August 1995.
Tokyo, Japan -- 1995 —
This scene shows the skyline of downtown Tokyo, including the Tokyo Tower, on 30 August 1995.
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Although Japan's economic growth has faltered over the past decade, the city expanded rapidly over the past twenty years and has provided some of the most innovative architecture and city planning developments in the process.
Tokyo, Japan -- 2015 —
Although Japan's economic growth has faltered over the past decade, the city expanded rapidly over the past twenty years and has provided some of the most innovative architecture and city planning developments in the process.
YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A view across the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, with the Royal Palace in the background.
Bangkok, Thailand -- circa 1960 —
A view across the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, with the Royal Palace in the background.
R. Glynn/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
This aerial picture taken on April 5, 2014 shows a general view of the skyline and the Chao Phraya river passing through Bangkok. Although beset by regular political and economic troubles, the Thai capital has expanded rapidly, reflecting the nation's recent strong economic growth.
Bangkok, Thailand -- 2014 —
This aerial picture taken on April 5, 2014 shows a general view of the skyline and the Chao Phraya river passing through Bangkok. Although beset by regular political and economic troubles, the Thai capital has expanded rapidly, reflecting the nation's recent strong economic growth.
CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The coastline of Macau, in the mid-1960s.
Macau, administered by Portugal -- 1965 —
The coastline of Macau, in the mid-1960s.
Archive Photos/Archive Photos/Getty Images
The skyline of Macau and the Grand Lisboa casino (centre R) on May 12, 2015. Although this former Portuguese colony has seen casino revenue decline in the past two years, its decision to position itself as a gambling hub saw it become one of the most densely populated places in the world over the past ten years.
Macau, China -- 2015 —
The skyline of Macau and the Grand Lisboa casino (centre R) on May 12, 2015. Although this former Portuguese colony has seen casino revenue decline in the past two years, its decision to position itself as a gambling hub saw it become one of the most densely populated places in the world over the past ten years.
ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images