China’s rapid development makes it difficult to comprehend just how much has changed in the last one hundred years: the birth of a republic, the passing of the feudal era, the abdication of imperial rule. But thanks to the release of new archival footage from Library and Archives Canada, we can at least get an idea.

The 14-minute black and white footage, uploaded to Sina Video, shows street scenes of Beijing during the 1920s. While the footage was taken after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the fashions of the time remained feudal as men still wore their hair in queues. Rickshaws and horse-drawn wagons fill the streets of Beijing while bystanders turn and gawk at the camera, probably the most advanced technology at the scene.

The video shows some familiar Beijing sights such as the city’s massive gates. There are also some familiar Chinese traditions, including hawkers selling their wares on the street, and open air diners.

One of the most interesting parts of the video comes at the end when we get a taste of Beijing culture almost a hundred years ago. Although there isn’t any audio, Beijing residents greet each other with a double curtsy by bending at the knees as well as bowing, customs that don’t exist anymore.

Check it out for yourself. Here’s the video:

[h/t GoHiroki of reddit China]