Aya Alnasser in Hanfu Photo: Courtesy of Aya Alnasser

An increasing number of foreigners are setting foot on Chinese soil to immerse themselves in the charm of Chinese culture. Sampling local cuisines, celebrating traditional festivals, and trying out intangible cultural heritage crafts - these moments paint a vivid picture of a unique Chinese impression. Each experience is a blend of cultural exchange, filled with stories of surprise and emotion.

With the rise of the "Hanfu craze," more foreigners are discovering and falling in love with Hanfu, the traditional attire which used to be worn by ethnic-majority Han Chinese. Some don Hanfu for scenic photo shoots or social media content, and others wear it in daily life or work. Through this process, they gain a deeper understanding of Chinese traditional etiquette and develop a love for Chinese aesthetics.

Themed travel photography made me fall in love with Hanfu - Aya Alnasser, PhD student at Renmin University of China

My first impression of Hanfu came from Chinese historical dramas.

Born to a multicultural family - my father is Jordanian, my mother Chinese - I grew up watching Chinese TV shows with my family. From the flowing robes of fairies in Journey to the West to the elegant, wide-sleeved attire in Nirvana in Fire, these images left a deep impression on me. Back then, though, I saw Hanfu as just a fascinating cultural symbol.

It wasn't until a Hanfu-themed travel photography experience in 2024 that I truly felt a connection with Hanfu.

In October, I took part in a research trip organized by my university in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province. One evening, my classmates and I managed to find some free time to visit the Tang Paradise, a large cultural theme park showing the lifestyle of the prosperous Tang Dynasty (618-907). Before even entering the park, we spotted Chinese tourists in dazzling Hanfu, which immediately sparked our interest as well.

A classmate suggested, "Why don't we try wearing Hanfu too?" I immediately agreed: "Let's do it!"  

Near the park, there were tons of Hanfu photo shoot studios. I'd never seen so many traditional outfits - colorful, diverse, and absolutely stunning! I chose a simple yet elegant Ming Dynasty-style Hanfu: a beige long robe with wide sleeves reaching my knees, paired with a grass-green horse-face skirt, its hem embroidered with delicate blades of grass and petals. The highlight was the cloud-shaped shawl - it felt like a wisp of sky wrapped around my shoulders, graceful, refined, and poised!

The makeup artist at the shop told me that my face is slightly round-shaped, which suits larger hair accessories. She recommended the distinctive headpiece of the Xunpu women from Fujian, known as the zanhuawei (flower hairpin wreath). Once it was placed on my head, my dark hair was adorned with pale pink blossoms - it felt as if I were wearing the entire spring season.

After getting ready, the photographer snapped many memorable photos. Strolling through the Tang Paradise, surrounded by grand, glowing pavilions, I felt like I'd stepped into the thriving Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty is my favorite era - not just for its peak in ancient Chinese glory, but for its openness and inclusivity. It's said that at its peak, about 10 percent of the 1 million residents in the capital city Chang'an were foreigners!  

What surprised me most was learning that traditional Chinese clothing carries traces of East-West cultural exchanges. My floral headdress, I found out, hails from Quanzhou, East China's Fujian Province, a starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, which traded with my Arab homeland over 1,000 years ago. 

Similarly, traditional clothing from my hometown also features intricate embroidery and emphasizes etiquette and order, much like Hanfu. The connections between these two ancient civilizations echo the Chinese saying: "Appreciate the cultures of others as do to one's own, and the world will become a harmonious whole."  

After this experience, I completely fell in love with Hanfu. I started reading up on Hanfu, and even began buying some neo-Chinese-style clothing on Taobao. One of my Chinese PhD classmates often wears modified Hanfu to class - styles like the Tang Dynasty beizi, bijia vests, horse-face skirts, and high-waisted ruqun dresses. In recent years, more and more young Chinese people are embracing Hanfu and falling in love with it. To me, this reflects a growing sense of cultural confidence among the younger generation!

Koellmer Patrick (center) and his parents in Hanfu Photo: Courtesy of Koellmer Patrick

Taking my parents for a Hanfu wedding photo shoot - German self-media blogger Wu Yuxiang (originally Koellmer Patrick)

I'm a German self-media blogger living and working in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, where I've been for over a decade.

My parents had never visited China due to various reasons. But in 2024, they finally got the chance to travel here and stay for three weeks. They were thrilled before the trip, and I wanted them to dive into Chinese culture for an unforgettable first trip. Then, an idea hit me: take Mom and Dad for a Hanfu wedding photo shoot! 

I'd tried Hanfu myself before. In 2022, while traveling in Guilin, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, I decided to wear traditional Chinese clothing while slurping a bowl of authentic Guilin rice noodles. At a local Hanfu shop, I picked a men's outfit with wide robes and flowing sleeves.

At first, I felt a bit shy - a blonde, blue-eyed foreigner in classical Chinese attire seemed a little out of place. But as I wandered through Guilin's picturesque landscape, I felt like I had traveled back in time. "The mountains and waters of the Lijiang River are never apart; the mountains are affectionate, the waters deeply devoted…" I even recited poetry by a stream, mimicking the gestures of ancient scholars, gracefully waving my sleeves - completely indulging in the charm of classical Chinese style.

With that experience in mind, I wanted my parents to try Hanfu too. I kept it a surprise, taking them to a pre-selected Hanfu shop. Only when we arrived did they realize we were there to shoot a wedding photo in traditional Chinese clothing.

They were overjoyed! Their last wedding photo was in 1982, in German attire, right after their marriage. More than 40 years later, they came to a country where their child now lives and recreated their wedding photo. What a deeply meaningful and unforgettable moment that was!

I chose a set of Ming Dynasty-style wedding Hanfu for them - vibrant red, exuding a regal air. Mom tried a Chinese-style makeup look with pale foundation and bold black brows. I could tell she loved her look; her movements and demeanor became so light and youthful.

During the shoot, they wore phoenix crowns and red ceremonial robes. Hanfu's dignified, graceful aura perfectly complemented the enduring love of a middle-aged couple. Even though my parents come from faraway Europe, they blended beautifully with classical Chinese attire. Beauty, it seems, knows no borders. 

I also slipped into a blue Ming Dynasty-style Hanfu for a family portrait. During their China trip, my parents also tried hotpot, joined a square dance, and experienced Chinese massage. They said China felt like a warm, welcoming home, especially with its care for the elderly - a civilized nation that respects age and values courtesy.  

The three weeks flew by, and my parents reluctantly returned to Germany. Last Christmas, I printed their trip photos into an album as a gift. When Mom saw the Hanfu family portrait on the first page, she teared up instantly. Those three weeks in China left us with cherished memories, sparkling like amber, forever treasured in our hearts.