Aya in her Hanfu photoshoot at the Great Tang All Day Mall.
Today, more and more foreigners are setting foot on Chinese soil to experience its culture. Tasting local delicacies, celebrating traditional festivals, exploring intangible cultural heritage crafts… These moments paint a unique "Chinese impression." Each experience is an encounter between Chinese and foreign cultures, weaving stories of surprise and emotion.
Starting today, this column, "Experiencing the 'Chinese Flavor,'" will showcase these cross-cultural sparks and reveal contemporary China through the eyes of foreign friends.
With the rise of the "Hanfu fever," an increasing number of foreigners are embracing Hanfu. Some don Hanfu for photo shoots at scenic spots, others wear it daily for work or life, while some create short videos to promote it… Through this, they delve deeper into traditional Chinese etiquette and fall in love with Chinese aesthetics.
1. Aya, Ph.D. Student from Renmin University of China: "A Photoshoot Made Me Fall for Hanfu"
My first impression of Hanfu came from Chinese historical dramas.
Born into a multicultural family—my father is Jordanian, and my mother is Chinese—I grew up watching Chinese TV series. The flowing robes of immortals in Journey to the West and the dignified attire of characters in Nirvana in Fire left a deep mark. Back then, though, Hanfu was merely a curious cultural symbol.
My true fascination began with a photoshoot last year.
In October, during a university-organized research trip to Xi’an, I visited the Great Tang All Day Mall with classmates. Even before entering, we were captivated by crowds of Hanfu-clad visitors—and decided to try it ourselves.
"Let’s do it!" I agreed.
Near the mall, countless Hanfu rental shops dazzled me with their vibrant arrays. I finally chose a Ming-style set: a cream-colored robe with wide sleeves paired with a grassy-green horse-face skirt embroidered with delicate flowers. The pièce de résistance was the yun jian (cloud collar), which draped like a celestial mist around my shoulders.
The stylist suggested a zanhuawei headdress from Fujian’s Xunpu women—a crown of pink blossoms that crowned my dark hair like spring itself.
As we strolled under the mall’s glittering lights, the grandeur of Tang-era architecture transported me. The Tang Dynasty, my favorite era, epitomized openness—its capital, Chang’an, once hosted foreigners as 10% of its population.
I later learned that my headdress traced back to Quanzhou, the Maritime Silk Road’s starting point, which connected China to the Arab world a millennium ago. Similarly, traditional Arab garments share Hanfu’s intricate embroidery and emphasis on ritual. These cross-cultural echoes reminded me of the Chinese saying: "Diverse beauties coexist, and the world is in harmony."
Since that trip, I’ve immersed myself in Hanfu culture, even buying modernized versions online. A classmate often wears Tang-style jackets and horse-face skirts to class—a testament to young Chinese embracing their heritage with pride.
2. Rachel, American Video Blogger and Illustrator: "Hanfu Fusion Sparks Creativity"
Many know me through my Hanfu videos. My Boston closet overflows with these garments—all thanks to a fateful encounter years ago.
While browsing fashion content, I stumbled upon a video about the Hanfu trend. The elegance of these ancient styles captivated me instantly.
I dove into learning Chinese and studying dynastic attire. But styling traditional hairdos with short hair stumped me—until I improvised with tissue-paper "buns" and braided loops to mimic a Tang-era shuang huan wang xian ji hairstyle. When I shared my DIY tutorial online, Chinese viewers marveled: "I never thought I’d learn Hanfu hairstyling from a foreigner!"
Now with over 100k followers, I blend Hanfu into my art and daily wear. Pairing a purple horse-face skirt with a Victorian blouse earned praise for its East-meets-West charm. Beauty, I realized, thrives in diversity—just as Hanfu evolved through dynasties: Qin’s simplicity, Han’s solemnity, Tang’s grace, Song’s delicacy, Ming’s dignity… Today, it fuses with modern and Western aesthetics, breathing new life into tradition.
Joining Boston’s Hanfu Society, I feared cultural barriers. Yet members welcomed me warmly. You don’t need expertise—just respect and an eye for beauty. Together, we paint fans, craft sachets, and autumn-stroll in Hanfu, forging friendships across continents.
3. Wu Yuxiang, German Content Creator: "A Hanfu Family Portrait"
Having lived in Zhuhai for over a decade, I finally brought my parents to China last year. To make their trip unforgettable, I hatched a plan: a Hanfu family photoshoot.
I’d previously tried Hanfu in Guilin. Wearing a flowing robe while slurping rice noodles amid karst landscapes, I felt like a time-traveling poet. This time, I wanted my parents to share the magic.
At the studio, I surprised them with Ming-style wedding attire. My mother glowed in crimson bridal robes and a phoenix crown; my father stood regal beside her. Though European, their decades of companionship harmonized perfectly with Hanfu’s timeless elegance.
We later took a family portrait in matching blue Ming garments. During their three-week stay, my parents also savored hotpot, joined square dances, and relished Chinese massages. They marveled at China’s reverence for elders and its warmth toward visitors.
At Christmas, I gifted them a photo album. Tears welled in my mother’s eyes at the Hanfu portrait—a golden memory preserved like amber, glowing forever in our hearts.