As summer temperatures climb in Luoyang, the ancient capital’s hanfu experience is getting a seasonal refresh. More than 1,600 hanfu styling shops across the city have introduced lightweight summer costumes, heat-resistant makeup routines, and indoor studio photography — all aimed at keeping the hanfu tourism boom alive through the hottest months.
Summer-Ready Fabrics and Looks
Shops are prioritizing chiffon andglazed gauze for summer hanfu, materials that feel cool against the skin and drape lightly. Color palettes have shifted to pastels — pink, blue, green, and white. Popular character-themed styles such as “Flower Goddess,” “Peacock Princess,” and “Jasmine Princess” continue to draw young customers, while Tang-dynasty court styles remain the year-round staple.
At Fanghua Pavilion, one of Luoyang’s best-known hanfu styling shops, a visitor from Jiangsu named Xiao Lin tried her first hanfu makeover. She chose a “Flower Goddess” look with a lightweight Beizi robe — a sheer, side-slit Song-style jacket. “It feels light and airy, cool and breathable,” she said after her transformation. The shop’s owner noted that summer hanfu is intentionally light: “The whole outfit should feel barely there.”
Indoor Studios Solve the Heat Problem
Luoyang Jinshanghua Hanfu Studio has upgraded its indoor photography studio to beat the heat. The space recreates multiple seasonal backdrops — a miniature lotus pond, a bamboo bridge, antique string instruments — so customers can shoot “summer” scenes in air-conditioned comfort. Tan Yange, the studio’s makeup director, explained that stylists now use long-wear foundation and highlight techniques to keep makeup intact despite heat and sweat. The shop also offers free touch-up services at nearby branches.
Day-indoor, night-outdoor has become the dominant rhythm. Tourists shoot indoors during peak afternoon heat, then step out after sunset for real-night photography in Luoyang’s historic streets and under the city walls.
Hanfu as City Identity
Luoyang’s commitment to hanfu tourism runs deep. The city offers free subway rides to anyone wearing hanfu. Over the past two years, Luoyang has integrated hanfu into nearly every touchpoint of its tourism strategy — from the Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park’s “Tang Palace Banquet” immersive experience to the night photography scene at Luoyi Ancient Town. Hanfu has evolved from a photo-op gimmick into the city’s defining cultural brand.
