Two pictures show Shanghai’s transformation over the past 26 years

The images, taken in 2013 and in 1987, highlight the breakneck pace of development that has turned Shanghai into a futuristic mega-city and made Pudong one of the most recognizable skylines on earth.

分别拍摄于2013年和1987年的两张照片凸显了上海转变为"未来化"的特大都市以及浦东成为地球上最知名景观地区之一的超级速度。

The first image shows Pudong in 1987 when Shanghai's population was just 11 million: drab warehouses and factories dot the Huangpu's eastern bank across from the city's historic Bund.

第一张照片是1987年时的浦东，那时上海的人口只有1100万：在上海著名的外滩对面、黄浦江的东岸，有的只是单调乏味的仓库和工厂。

The second shows the same region today: an almost unrecognisable vista in which dozens of high-rises and skyscrapers jostle for space around the Shanghai Tower, a 2,073ft "vertical city", which became the world's second tallest building on Saturday.

第二张照片显示的是同一区域，只不过时间是现在：眼前是一片几乎已认不出的景象，鳞次栉比的摩天大楼围绕着上海中心大厦，这座高2073英尺的"垂直城市"在2013年8月3日成为世界第二高楼。

Shanghai's multi-billion dollar facelift began in the 1980s, during the early stages of China's economic opening to the world.

上海耗资巨大的改造开始于上世纪80年代，那时正是中国经济开放的早期阶段。

In 1990, Communist Party leaders in Beijing unveiled plans to develop the area to the east of the Huangpu into a "Special Economic Zone" and three years later "Pudong New Area" was officially founded.

1990年，共产党领导层宣布了将黄浦江东岸地区开发成"特殊经济区"的计划，三年后，"浦东新区"正式建成。

At the heart of its blueprint was the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Area, a 12.27-square mile Chinese answer to Lower Manhattan.

开发蓝图的核心是陆家嘴金融贸易区，这片12.27平方英里的地区可以说是中国的曼哈顿下城。

A trio of spectacular skyscrapers were planned for China's new financial hub: the 1,381ft Jin Mao Tower, which was completed in 1999, the 1,614ft Shanghai World Financial Center, which opened in 2008, and the Shanghai Tower, which held its "topping out" ceremony this weekend becoming China's tallest building.

这个新的中国金融中心当时计划建3座超级摩天大楼：1381英尺的金茂大厦于1999年完成，1614英尺的上海环球金融中心2008年投入使用，而日前举行了封顶仪式的"上海中心"大厦成为中国最高的建筑。

Pudong, which just a few decades ago was little more than a patchwork of paddy fields, is now home to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the city's international airport and the unmistakable, futuristic Oriental Pearl Tower.

几十年前还只有一些农田的浦东如今拥有了上海证券交易所、上海国际机场以及未来主义的东方明珠电视塔。

Speaking earlier this week, the Shanghai-born lead designer of the Shanghai Tower said his city's transformation was like "a dream."

出生于上海的上海中心大厦主设计师夏军说，这个城市的转变就像一场梦。

"Some days you look at it and you still don't believe your eyes. It's incredible. It's a miracle," said architect Jun Xia.

夏军说："有时你看着它，还不敢相信自己的眼睛。简直令人难以置信。它是个奇迹。"