Hanfu is a fusion of tradition and modernity, which is increasingly popular among young people nowadays. While Xi’an, as the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, has a rich historical and cultural heritage, making it the prime city of Chinese Hanfu. In recent years, wearing Hanfu clothing with matching hair makeup and props to take photos, thus taking a ceremonial Hanfu experience tour has become a must-do in Xi’an for many tourists.
In the streets and lanes of Xi’an, elegant Hanfu dresses have become a beautiful scenery and a unique fashion. Almost everyone can experience the fun of wearing Hanfu in Xi’an and achieve Hanfu freedom. Wearing Hanfu and wandering through this city, this feeling of dialogue with the ancients is something that other cities do not possess. So don’t miss out the charm of the Hanfu experience during your Xi’an tours.
What is a Hanfu?
Hanfu is the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese, carrying outstanding crafts and aesthetics such as Chinese dyeing, weaving, and embroidery, and inheriting more than 30 intangible cultural heritages of China. The design of Hanfu began during the Yellow Emperor period, and through the establishment in the Zhou Dynasty and the repair and shaping in the Han Dynasty, it was eventually widely inherited and developed in various Chinese dynasties.
The basic characteristics of Hanfu are cross collar, right lapel, tie straps, and wide sleeves. Common forms include deep coat, skirt, robe, and pants. Hanfu influenced the formation of national clothing in most Asian countries such as Japan, North Korea, and Vietnam.
Hanfu is not only a type of clothing, but also a cultural symbol that reflects the aesthetic concepts and cultural traditions of the Han Chinese. Through modern Hanfu, you can feel the profound heritage and unique charm of Han culture in China.
Best Hanfu Experience Stores in Xi’an
Do you want to wear Hanfu and take some beautiful photos during your Xi’an travel? Here are some fantastic Hanfu experience stores in Xi’an, each with its own unique offerings.
- Lianli Zhi (莲鲤芝)
The clothing can be selected regardless of region, and it also provide fill lights, small fish lights, Hanfu shoes, and well-known brand cosmetics. Lianli Zhi is a top-level Hanfu experience store in Xi’an, with amazing makeup and hairstyles! Make an appointment in advance. Address: B1, Yiyangtang, South Yanta Road
- Yijin Chang’an (衣锦长安)
This store has over a hundred sets of genuine Hanfu clothing, and a new batch comes every week. You can choose any one at a price! High cost-effectiveness! It has two stores located in Yongning Gate and Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City. Address: B1, Yiyangtang, South Yanta Road
- Morouge (墨柔阁)
Excellent reputation. Make an appointment in advance. The shop assistants are particularly patient. The boss is a makeup artist, with superb skills and reputation. Address: Room 1103, Unit 2, Chang’an Building
- Huajian Jiu (花间玖)
This Hanfu experience store offers wigs, necklaces and hair accessories, as well as various props such as fans, oil-paper umbrellas, veils, bags, and all kinds of photography tools! Address: Block C, North Square, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- Fusheng Dream Baili Chang’an(浮生梦百里长安)
It has two stores in Xi’an, both of which provide top-tier cosmetics, and can also apply fake eyelashes. Particularly skilled in creating fairy Hanfu makeup. Address: Room 101, Unit 2, Building 6, Tongshanfang
- Mingji Men’s Hanfu Experience Store (明记男士汉服体验馆)
This store offers various styles of Hanfu makeup for males, such as literary or martial style, elegant and graceful style, cool and handsome style, etc. Address: No. 121, 12th Floor, Block A, Weiye Building, South Guangji Street
Where to Take Hanfu Photos in Xi’an
- Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-BrightCity (大唐不夜城): As an iconic attraction in Xi’an, it is very suitable for taking Hanfu photos with its ancient architecture and dazzling night scenes. The shooting effect is better at night.
- Tang Paradise(大唐芙蓉园): As a large Tang Dynasty royal garden covering a vast area of waters, wearing Hanfu (dance merrily) to visit the garden at any time will leave you a good memory. Ticket: RMB120
- Chang’an Twelve Hours(长安十二时辰): It is an immersive ancient-style spot that highly restores the bustling streets of the Tang Dynasty. Ideal place for Hanfu photography. Ticket: RMB128
- Qujiang Pool Park(曲江池遗址公园): Strolling through it, the lotus flowers, willows, sunset glow, lake water, pavilions, and towers fill the entire scene with a sense of story.
- Daci’en Temple/Big Wild Goose Pagoda(大慈恩寺/大雁塔): Next to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Daci’en Temple Ruins Park is lush with flowers and plants, with small bridges and flowing water. The ancient pagoda blends with the natural environment, making it perfect for capturing Hanfu photos.
- Xi’an City Wall(西安城墙): It is the largest and best preserved ancient city wall in China. The roads, city gates, corner towers, and vermilion columns on the wall add an elegant and historical feeling to Hanfu photography. Ticket: RMB54
- Bell Tower(钟楼): As a landmark building in Xi’an, the Bell Tower is a popular location for Hanfu photography. Dressed in Hanfu, with the solemn and magnificent Bell Tower behind, the collision of modernity and history is perfectly reflected here.
- Xingqing Palace (兴庆宫公园): This park has ancient buildings and beautiful garden landscapes, full of the Tang Dynasty’s classical charm, which is very suitable for taking fresh and natural Hanfu photos.
Xi’an, a city that has achieved “Hanfu Freedom”. Welcome to travel to Xi’an, put on Hanfu, and dream back to the ancient Chang’an!
Facts About Diverse Hanfu Styles by Dynasty
Hanfu has various styles and characteristics in different dynasties, reflecting the cultural and social styles of each era. This “historical book worn on the body” records the pace of changes and development of Chinese civilization. Start your China tours to try the marvellous Hanfu experience.
- Pre–Qin Hanfu: simple and elegant, mainly characterized by straight clothes, front placket straps, waist belts, etc., emphasizing comfort and practicality.
- Han Dynasty Hanfu: mainly consisting of long robes, with rich colors. Common clothing includes long robes, wide sleeves, pleated skirts, etc. Men and women wear different clothes, but they are all solemn and elegant. The clothing of different classes reflects the difference in rank through hats and ribbons.
- Hanfu during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties:had a diverse range of clothing elements, and new styles such as cross collar shirts and waist cinching clothes appeared. The colors were more abundant, emphasizing individuality and fashion. The clothing style reflected a sense of freedom and unrestrained elegance and a carefree state.
- Suiand Tang Dynasty Hanfu: characterized by wide sleeved robes, cross collars, and large sleeves, with rich and vibrant colors, emphasizing a gorgeous and bold style, and also reflecting the prosperity and openness of the Tang Dynasty. Tang Dynasty Hanfu had innovative styles and introduced many new forms, such as skirt, round collar robe, and chest length skirt. It used bright colors such as red, purple, yellow, and green, especially red which was the most popular. In addition, Tang Dynasty Hanfu also incorporated cultural elements from the Western Regions, forming a unique style.
- Song Dynasty Hanfuemphasized elegance, simplicity and exquisite craftsmanship. The skirts of the Song Dynasty had many pleats, and officials of different grades wore clothing of different colors.
- Ming Dynasty Hanfupursued solemnity and sedate The official attire of the Ming Dynasty had patches on the chest and back. Men’s casual clothes were mostly robes which exceeded the knee length, with a large collar and wide sleeves. There were various types of hats in the Ming Dynasty.
