Abstract:

The rickshaw, which was introduced into Shanghai in 1874, in a degree, went beyond those old fashioned conveyances such as a sedan chair and the like, owing to its mechanic structure with cheap, quick, convenient and laborsaving features, thus improving the urban public traffic greatly. Though its special advantages made it still play a part in Shanghai's public traffic even after the introduction of automotive motorized vehicles, its abolishment was a necessity of history, since it was just a kind of vehicle that was dragged by manpower. However, the abolishment of rickshaw was destined to go through a hard course under a distinct social background of modern Shanghai.

Key words: Shanghai, rickshaw, public traffic, modernization