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CNN
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Tourists riding the subway in Suzhou, China this week could be forgiven for feeling like they’ve been transported back in time centuries.
The city of just over 10 million people, famous for its silk production and traditional gardens, is an hour and a half drive from Shanghai and is open to passengers dressed in Hanfu (a style of clothing) during the Lunar New Year. Free rides for one week. It was traditionally worn by the Han majority before the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
Suzhou Rail Transit offers are not random. Visiting local attractions wearing traditional costumes has become a popular way to do so. In recent years, China has been expressing its holiday spirit, especially among young people, many of whom have been sharing images of their outings on social media this week.
So, what exactly constitutes Hanfu? There are various styles of clothing influenced by multiple Chinese dynasties that may fall under this umbrella term, but most commonly include long, flowing, cross-coloured robes.
In 2019, CNN Style reported on the revival of traditional Chinese fashion, noting that the total market value of the Hanfu industry at that time was estimated at 1.09 billion yuan, according to state media.
Although its popularity has reportedly waned due to the pandemic, interest in Hanfu has increased significantly in recent months, according to local media reports. In January, ahead of the 2024 Chinese New Year period, searches for modern Hanfu and silky Song brocade costumes on popular shopping site Taobao surged by 683% and 2,058%, respectively. It is reported that.
Currently, multiple tourist destinations in China also offer hanbok rentals, similar to how Seoul’s tourist destinations and historical sites rent traditional Korean hanbok for tourists, as well as makeup and hair styling services. Some places also offer this service.
Visual China Group/Getty Images
Yu Garden in Shanghai is a popular tourist destination during the Lunar New Year holidays.
For domestic and foreign tourists, visiting historical sites and themed tourist attractions wearing these outfits provides an added element of fun.
During the 15-day Spring Festival/Lunar New Year holiday, China’s busiest travel period of the year, many of these locations display colorful lanterns, making for eye-catching photo backdrops.
For example, Shanghai’s Yu Garden hosts a 40-day Chinese New Year Lantern Fair, making it a popular destination for Hanfu fans. The nearby Wujiaoch commercial shopping district also hosted a Lunar New Year Hanfu parade this year to draw revelers to the area.
Haikou, the capital of southern China’s Hainan province, is home to Qilou Old Street, a fusion of 1920s Asian and European architecture. According to local residents, an increasing number of young tourists are visiting here wearing traditional costumes.
“In recent years, there has been a huge increase in the number of people wearing Hanfu here in Haikou’s Citrus, from tourists to tour guides and influential people,” said Cai Pa, a local historian.
“[The rise of Hanfu] It is an important symbol of Chinese cultural revival. Younger generations are often more open to new trends and are therefore the first to embrace the rejuvenation of traditions. ”
Tsai told CNN Travel that considering the island is home to several ethnic minorities, the largest of which is the Li, people are increasingly seeing people wearing costumes from other ethnic groups. He said he was there.
John Rickey/Anadolu/Getty Images
A woman wearing Hanfu strolls through the Chinese New Year flower market in Guangzhou, China, on February 9, 2024.
Song Weixia, a 30-year-old brand designer from the mountainous region of Anhui province, incorporates fashion elements inspired by Hanfu into her everyday outfits, but this fashion flashback has more than just the holiday spirit. He says there is.
“Of course, some people participate in this trend only during Chinese New Year, but for most people, it’s not just for the festival,” she told CNN Travel.
“In recent years, there has been a growing desire among young people to understand and appreciate Chinese culture. In fact, it is a sign that the people have confidence in their own culture.”
Meanwhile, Tsai feels that those involved in China’s culture and tourism industry have a responsibility to maintain authenticity.
“Some people wear it as a trend or a fashion item,” he says. “But it is equally important that there are people who preserve the tradition in a precise way so that the basis of the tradition is not lost.”
The question of the authenticity of Han clothing has been debated for years, and some scholars and enthusiasts believe that the Han Chinese wore different clothing throughout the dynasties, and that there were several variations depending on era, geographic region, and socio-economic class. He points out that there are ten styles.
Some say the term “Hanfu” is too narrow, given the fluidity of influence shared among China’s diverse ethnic groups.
02:39 – Source: CNN
Ancient Chinese fashion is back
At the end of the day, Song says she doesn’t focus so much on what she wears to celebrate, but rather on how she spends time with her loved ones. “Because that’s the core tradition of Chinese New Year.”
“When I was a kid, I looked forward to this lively atmosphere,” she says.
“But the bond with family traditions seems to fade as we grow older. Chinese New Year acts as a strong emotional thread that brings you back to your truest self as a child. Warm and fuzzy .
“As I grew up, I not only wanted to enjoy festivals with my family, but also actively participated in planning them. It’s like reacquainting yourself with your family at different stages of your life. .”
Apparently she’s not alone. According to popular Chinese social media platform Xiaohonshu (Xiaohongshu), 83% of people aged 18 to 35 surveyed on the platform said they plan to take over this year’s Lunar New Year preparations. House.
The survey also noted that young people place great importance on recreating nostalgic flavors at reunion dinners and splurging on retro items that remind them of their childhood during Lunar New Year.
Meanwhile, the state-run China Youth Daily conducted its own survey and reported that 76.7% of the 1,333 people surveyed said they highly valued the Lunar New Year traditions and sense of ritual. .
More than 90% reportedly said they advocated continuing traditional customs of the festival, such as cleaning their homes before the New Year and displaying auspicious red flags on walls.
“When we were little, my father would take my sister and me to put up red flags around our house,” Son recalled. He admits he’s surprised himself by finding himself more welcoming of Chinese New Year and its many traditions this year. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“Now, that responsibility has been passed on to my fiancé and I. My parents aren’t very expressive, but I think they were relieved and happy to see the change in me.”
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