A Glimpse Through the "Gateway of Time": Life in China During the 1990s
One of the three destinations accessible through this time portal is an apartment located in a vibrant Chinese metropolis in 1999, approximately twenty years after the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy in the nation.
TroibNews 
Do you recall the excitement you felt when your family finally bought that imported TV after saving for so long? Do you remember how the scent of new furniture infused your home with happiness? Did your grandmother knit tablecloths? If you wish to revisit those nostalgic moments and reconnect with the feeling of achieving something that once seemed unattainable, then step into The Gateway of Time. Journey back to 1999 and reflect on your pursuit of happiness alongside a Chinese family's experience as they enjoy the benefits of reform and opening up.
Created by CN to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, The Gateway of Time is an interactive AR+AI experience that lets you explore homes from three significant eras in the PRC: the immediate post-founding years, the post-reform era, and the present day.
Inspired by real residences, these virtual homes represent the societal conditions of their respective time periods. With a guide's narration, you can navigate these spaces and discover key macroeconomic indicators from each era, intertwined with personal stories for you to uncover.
One noteworthy home featured in this time portal is an apartment located in a vibrant Chinese metropolis in 1999, about two decades following the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy.
This modest residence belongs to a young factory worker and his wife, a primary school teacher. Though the man's parents have a farming background, they often spend time with their son and daughter-in-law in the city. The simple yet treasured furniture serves as a quiet reminder of the family's hard-earned stability. They have also accumulated a few electrical appliances, each purchase a testament to their diligent savings.
In this era, urban households in China experienced marked improvements in living standards, with homes becoming larger and equipped with modern amenities such as refrigerators, washing machines, and televisions. Rapid urbanization saw the ratio of city dwellers reach around 35 percent, while urban workers earned just over 8,300 yuan annually.
Within this apartment, you can witness how the positive effects of reform and the fruits of hard work inspired an entire generation. From the delight in modern conveniences to the enduring connections between generations, this experience allows you to personally revisit the transformation of the Chinese lifestyle.
So, take your phone, tap this link, and embark on a journey where history, culture, and modernity intertwine, fostering a powerful bond that transcends time and reminds us of our collective dreams, struggles, and triumphs.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
Created by CN to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, The Gateway of Time is an interactive AR+AI experience that lets you explore homes from three significant eras in the PRC: the immediate post-founding years, the post-reform era, and the present day.
Inspired by real residences, these virtual homes represent the societal conditions of their respective time periods. With a guide's narration, you can navigate these spaces and discover key macroeconomic indicators from each era, intertwined with personal stories for you to uncover.
One noteworthy home featured in this time portal is an apartment located in a vibrant Chinese metropolis in 1999, about two decades following the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy.
This modest residence belongs to a young factory worker and his wife, a primary school teacher. Though the man's parents have a farming background, they often spend time with their son and daughter-in-law in the city. The simple yet treasured furniture serves as a quiet reminder of the family's hard-earned stability. They have also accumulated a few electrical appliances, each purchase a testament to their diligent savings.
In this era, urban households in China experienced marked improvements in living standards, with homes becoming larger and equipped with modern amenities such as refrigerators, washing machines, and televisions. Rapid urbanization saw the ratio of city dwellers reach around 35 percent, while urban workers earned just over 8,300 yuan annually.
Within this apartment, you can witness how the positive effects of reform and the fruits of hard work inspired an entire generation. From the delight in modern conveniences to the enduring connections between generations, this experience allows you to personally revisit the transformation of the Chinese lifestyle.
So, take your phone, tap this link, and embark on a journey where history, culture, and modernity intertwine, fostering a powerful bond that transcends time and reminds us of our collective dreams, struggles, and triumphs.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
