The Tricycle of Shanghai, China
The Shanghai sanlunche (三轮车) embodies a quiet blend of function and form. Its curved steel frame reflects both early streamlined design influences and the arched geometry of traditional rickshaws, while also arising from practical needs; bent tubing, load distribution, and urban durability. What appears decorative is deeply structural, giving these working vehicles an understated elegance shaped by history, labor, and the rhythms of the city.
This gallery explores the presence of Sanlunche tricycles woven throughout the old streets of Puxi, Shanghai. Captured in a variety of settings, tucked into narrow alleyways or resting beside weathered storefronts, these vehicles become more than a mode of transport; they act as quiet witnesses to daily life.
Each image highlights the relationship between the Sanlunche and its surroundings, reflecting the texture, rhythm, and character of the neighborhood. Set against crumbling facades and evolving cityscapes, the tricycles symbolize resilience and continuity, bridging past and present in a rapidly changing urban environment.
Together, the photographs form a visual narrative of movement and stillness, revealing how these humble vehicles remain deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Puxi’s historic streets.
