A moment in time: Waiting for a ride

Bus stations have changed over the years in downtown Beijing as the surrounding areas have been equipped with better infrastructure. People purchased daily items and waited at a bus station below steel signs hanging from an iron pillar, as seen in the photo, taken in 1982. As the Wangfujing area was rebuilt with taller buildings and well-decorated markets, the station changed its name from Dongfang Market to Xindongan Market and, as shown in the photo, taken last year, people waited for the bus with digital electronics such as iPads and mobile phones in their hands.