Snapshots of the past

And for some other visitors, the old photos of Beijing trigger more sentimental feelings.

Zhang Jia, a 33 year-old bank worker in Beijing, says she visited the store twice one day.

"We don't remember having black-and-white photos. But these are not too old to remind me of my childhood when I used to come home to my hutong and my neighbors would wave and smile at me."

Many of the old houses and hutong have been torn down and her neighbors have moved on. Although some buildings have been preserved, many of them lost their original appearance after being renovated.

Wu, a 22-year-old college student from Taiwan who has visited the store with two of her friends, says: "I heard Beijing has been developing really fast in recent years, but there are still many things to explore in its long history."

Thom says: "Studying history influences the way you see the world and yourself. History always gives a basis for comparison.

"The way you interpret it keeps expanding. If for some reason, we only viewed history from one specific angle, it would be a great pity."