When the cast of China’s top variety show Keep Running (奔跑吧) swapped their usual sportswear for ancient court robes in the 3,000-year-old city of Handan (邯郸), the internet exploded. Leaked set photos showed Bailu (白鹿), Fan Chengcheng (范丞丞), Zhang Zhenyuan (张真源), and others walking on stone-paved roads in full Warring States Robe—the traditional attire of the Warring States period. Fans immediately shouted, “This isn’t Keep Running anymore. It’s a National Treasure (国家宝藏) spin-off!” The viral response proves one thing: when history meets entertainment with genuine care, the result is pure magic. Here’s why these Warring States Robe looks have taken over social media and made Handan the new must-visit destination for ancient costume lovers.
Handan: The City That Never Changed Its Name
Why Warring States robes? The answer lies in the city itself. Handan served as the capital of the Zhao State during the Warring States period. Unlike many ancient Chinese cities that changed names over centuries, Handan has kept its original name for over 3,000 years. It’s also famously known as the “City of Idioms”—stories like Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao and Learning to Walk in Handan all originated here. The show’s production team chose this location intentionally, aiming to blend cultural tourism with entertainment at the highest level.
When the cast appeared in wide-sleeved, belted robes against the backdrop of ancient city walls and stone streets, the sense of time travel was immediate. No studio set could ever recreate that authentic atmosphere. Local residents and tourists gathered to watch, and within hours, photos flooded Weibo and Douyin. The comment sections turned into history lessons, with young fans researching Warring States fashion and sharing facts about Zhao State’s royalty. It’s a rare moment where a variety show unintentionally became a gateway to China’s deep past.
Bailu’s Red Robe: An Instant Legend
One image dominated the buzz: Bailu in a crimson red Warring States Robe. Her costume featured a crossed collar, wide sleeves, and a belted waist strictly following Warring States tailoring. The fabric bore bronze-pattern replicas—Hui Wen (回纹) and Shou Wen (兽纹)—along with jade pendants and upturned leather shoes. What made it even more striking was the subtle pink-to-purple gradient at the ends of her hair, adding a touch of playfulness to the solemn ancient look. As she walked, the robe flowed behind her like a painting come to life.
Viewers couldn’t stop praising her. “Heaven’s chosen ancient beauty!” one comment read. “The Warring States empress has arrived!” Others joked that if she walked into a Hengdian film set with that outfit, directors would yell “cut” just to offer her a lead role. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone: a variety show’s one-episode costume had outperformed what many big-budget historical dramas deliver. Fans directly called on production studios to give her a proper ancient drama script. “Don’t waste this talent,” they pleaded. Bailu herself hasn’t commented, but her stylist team reportedly spent weeks researching Warring States textile patterns and accessory placements to get every detail right.
The Men and a Surprise Warrior
The male cast members each brought their own flavor to the robes. Zhang Zhenyuan wore a light jade-colored Chang Pao (长袍) with subtle silver embroidery. Fans dubbed him the “fleeing young noble of Handan” after behind-the-scenes clips showed him carefully lifting his robe to enter a car and tiptoeing to wave at fans—adorable and elegant at once. Fan Chengcheng, known for his comedic roles, shocked everyone in a dark blue robe with a slicked-back hairstyle. “He looks like a Warring States CEO who would order someone to bring the royal jade seal just to crack walnuts with it,” joked a netizen. Zhou Keyu (周柯宇), in bright blue, gave off a cold, youthful emperor vibe, while Cheng Lei’s (丞磊) black robe and upright posture screamed “born to rule.” Li Yunrui (李昀锐) almost tripped on his long brown-red robe, and the internet lovingly called it the “Warring States social death moment.”
Then came the wildcard: UFC world champion Zhang Weili (张伟丽). A Handan native, she also put on a Warring States Robe for a special appearance. With her short hair and athletic frame, the robe didn’t look awkward at all. She laughed and said, “I feel like I’ve traveled through time!” Her confident, heroic energy instantly transformed her into a female general from ancient battlefields. The entire shoot, which integrated idiom-based games into the robe-wearing challenges, went viral not just for the visuals but for the learning experience. As one fan summarized: “I used to watch Keep Running for laughs. Now I watch it for laughs and history lessons.” After the episode aired, young people started showing up at Handan’s ancient walls in their own Warring States Robe for photos. Local tourism officials haven’t officially responded, but online jokes suggest handing the show a “Best City Promoter Award” might not be a bad idea.
