At a park on the outskirts of Beijing, a dozen?hanfu?enthusiasts gathered to celebrate spring arrival.?Hanfu, the traditional Chinese attire worn by ethnic Han before the Qing dynasty, has seen a strong comeback in recent years.?
A recent survey by iiMedia Research Group shows that the number of?hanfu?enthusiasts has almost doubled, from 3.56 million in 2019 to over 6 million in 2020.
What's interesting behind it is the collective enthusiasm for?hanfu. For decades, the younger generation in China embraced western fashion trends and technological advances, now the revival of this traditional garb is giving them a way of reconnecting with their past, learning more about ancient Chinese culture.
Hu Ban, founder of a Beijing-based?hanfu?organization, wears?hanfu?every day. He first learned about?hanfu?in high school. Once a hobby, now dressing in hanfu has turned into a lifestyle for Hu Ban.?
Two tourists wearing hanfu visit the Qinglong Temple scenic area in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, March 28, 2021. /CFP
"Wearing?hanfu?is a transformational experience," Hu Ban shares with CGTN. "Many of my perceptions of the world changed after coming in touch with this attire. I used to be only interested in military and war-fare-related history, but now I find cultural history very interesting."
Hu Ban said that because of?hanfu, he has learned more about Daoism, Spring and Autumn Periods (770 - 476 BC), as well as classical Chinese texts and traditional music and dances.?
While appreciation for traditional Chinese aesthetic contributes to?hanfu's strong comeback, another reason fueling the garb's revival is the interest group that comes with it. It offers people a sense of community in big cities like Beijing.?
Zhang Hanyu's first time wearing?hanfu?was when she came to Beijing for university. Since then, she's made a lot of new friends who share similar interests.
Hanfu enthusiasts in Beijing at an outdoor event celebrating the arrival of spring. /CGTN
"We went to many?hanfu?events together," Zhang said. "And this community helped build my confidence wearing?hanfu?in public."
Clothing is an extension of one's identity. For people like Dong Haoyu,?hanfu?is a break from reality, a way to explore a different self. He came in touch with?hanfu?roughly two years ago. His girlfriend is a serious?hanfu?enthusiast and they go to many?hanfu?themed events together.
Dong shares that wearing?hanfu?brings out a different character in him. He feels like he is a different person.?
Wearing?hanfu?is an immersive experience in rediscovering history, finding a sense of belonging, or exploring a different identity. Whatever the reasons, the ancient Chinese attire is going mainstream and is here to stay.?
