Chinese Clothing & Hanfu Documentaries Recommendations – Updating

Why did the Qin dynasty dress admire the black color? What were the forms of women’s clothing in the Qin, Han, Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties? What are the characteristics of men’s clothing in different dynasties?

How was the style and pattern of Hanfu chosen? How did the ancients choose different styles of Hanfu for different occasions? What were the characteristics of makeup in different periods of history?

If you are new to Hanfu (traditional Chinese dress), you certainly have many questions and will feel that Hanfu is very complicated.

Moreover, the Chinese Hanfu costume covers not only the dress, but also the makeup, hair, and accessories.

So we will compile in this post documentaries on Hanfu, if you are interested in Hanfu and Hanfu related culture, you may get your doubts solved through them.

李白 / Li Bai

“Li Bai” is divided into four episodes, attempting to sketch a clearer and more complete outline of this artistic giant through the life of Li Bai, and tracing the spiritual character of the Chinese people for thousands of years.

To vividly tell the important episodes and present the atmosphere of Li Bai’s literary works, “Li Bai” combines realistic scenes and CG special effects technology to restore historical scenes and reproduce the poet’s magnificent and romantic imagination.

Especially in the art scenery, in-depth study of the aesthetic style of the Tang Dynasty, and strive to restore the maximum gorgeous and colorful beauty, so that the audience can immerse themselves in the experience.

Episodes: 4, about 24 minutes each.
English subtitles: No.

了不起的匠人 – 第二季 / THE GREAT SHOKUNIN II

THE GREAT SHOKUNIN II is a documentary focusing on oriental aesthetics.

The program captures the most heartfelt stories of each artisan, conveys the distinctive and different character of each artisan, and shows the production process of each artifact in a delicate and beautiful way, revealing its shocking side.

From each craftsman and each artifact, it conveys a concept in Oriental aesthetics. This is not a difficult academic terminology, but a feeling born from a real story. It is relevant to our daily life.

https://youtu.be/jHAP8ztlhY4

Episodes: 12, about 16 minutes each (EP2,5 are recommended to watch).
English subtitles: Yes.

国宝档案 – 古诗话服饰 / Archives of National Treasures – Costumes in Ancient Poems

There have been many descriptions of costumes in the poems of the ancients, and this documentary cuts through the poems to show the costumes of the Han, Tang, and Song Dynasties.

Episodes: 3, about 15 minutes each.
English subtitles: Yes

发现中国 – 中国服饰文化 / Discover China – Chinese Costume Culture

This documentary shares more content, not only explains the traditional Han Chinese costumes, but also introduces the traditional costumes of Mongolian, Miao and other ethnic minorities, which is more comprehensive. In addition to costume culture, there is an episode (EP4) dedicated to the four famous Chinese embroideries.

Episodes: 8, about 50 minutes each (EP1,2,4 are recommended to watch).
English subtitles: No.

布衣中国 / Chinese Costumes

From the five aspects of raw materials, colors, design, style, and production, compares the history of China’s clothing evolution. The documentary also explains Chinese clothing materials such as cotton, silk, linen, velvet, and leather.

Episodes: 5, about 50 minutes each (EP2 are recommended to watch).
English subtitles: No.

香云纱 / Gambiered Guangdong Silk

Xiang Yun Sha (香云纱, Gambiered Guangdong Silk) is also called “Liang Sha (莨纱)”, which is the only silk fabric dyed with pure vegetable dyes in the world, and is known as “soft gold” in the textile industry.

In the TV series “Story of Yanxi Palace (延禧攻略)”, many of the costumes are made of Xiang Yun Sha. The documentary tells the history of Xiang Yun Sha through the story of modern people finding and restoring this skill.

Episodes: 2, about 24 minutes each.
English subtitles: No.

More Chinese Documentaries:

Dunhuang and Venice: Dunhuang and Venice: Above Desert and Sea

Chinese Fragrance:The Flavor of History: Exploring Traditions Fragrance and Cultural Significance Through Documentary