Hanfu Experience in Beijing: 3 Unique Ways to Experience Traditional Chinese Clothing

Trying hanfu in Beijing has become one of the most popular cultural experiences for visitors to China. With imperial palaces, red walls, ancient temples and traditional hutongs, Beijing offers some of the best backdrops for wearing Chinese historical clothing.

Most visitors choose a classic hanfu photoshoot near the Forbidden City. But that is not your only option. You can also wear hanfu while riding a horse in the countryside or enjoy an immersive imperial-style dinner with live performances.

Here are three memorable ways to experience hanfu in Beijing.

1. Book a Traditional Hanfu Photoshoot Near Beijing’s Historic Sites

The easiest and most popular way to experience hanfu in Beijing is to rent an outfit, complete your makeup and hairstyle, and take photos around the city’s historic landmarks.

Where to Find Hanfu Rental Shops in Beijing

Two areas have the largest concentration of hanfu studios.

1, Wangfu Century and Jinyu Hutong

The Wangfu Century building, close to Jinyu Hutong subway station, is packed with hanfu rental and photography studios. Some studios are only a five-to-ten-minute walk from the station, making this one of the most convenient places to compare outfits and packages.

The lower floors can get especially busy. It is worth checking several floors rather than choosing the first shop you see, as quieter studios may provide a more relaxed dressing and makeup experience.

2, Forbidden City and Qianmen Area

Studios around the Forbidden City and Qianmen are ideal for travellers who want to finish their makeup and walk directly to a historic photography location.

Popular backgrounds include:

• The red walls around the Forbidden City

• The moat and corner towers

• Qianmen Street

• Traditional hutong lanes

• The Temple of Heaven

• The Summer Palace

Remember that professional or commercial photography may be restricted in certain scenic areas, so check the latest rules with your studio before booking.

Which Hanfu Style Should You Choose?

Not every outfit advertised as “hanfu” represents the same historical period. Beijing studios normally offer several styles.

1, Ming Dynasty Hanfu

Ming-style outfits are elegant, structured and dignified. They work especially well against the red walls and palace architecture of Beijing. Choose a studio with good-quality embroidery and heavier fabrics if you want a more historically inspired result.

2, Qing Dynasty Princess Costume

The colourful “princess” or gege costume is a classic Beijing photography style. Strictly speaking, Qing palace clothing is different from traditional Han Chinese hanfu, but it remains one of the city’s most recognisable costume experiences.

It is often included in affordable entry-level packages and is a fun choice for first-time visitors.

3,Tang Dynasty Style

Tang-inspired outfits are bright, dramatic and glamorous. Flowing sleeves, colourful fabrics and elaborate hairstyles make them particularly photogenic.

4,Qing-Han Women’s Style and New Chinese Style

These softer, more minimal styles have become increasingly popular. They combine traditional elements with modern makeup and cleaner silhouettes, creating a calm and cinematic appearance.

How Much Does a Hanfu Experience in Beijing Cost?

Prices vary depending on the quality of the clothing, makeup, photography time and number of edited images.

As a general local reference:

• Clothing, makeup and hairstyling: approximately RMB 158–298

• Packages including photography: usually from around RMB 299

• Premium photography packages: may cost several hundred or over RMB 1,000

Online packages may include clothing rental, jewellery, makeup, hairstyling, a photographer, original files and a limited number of retouched photos. Always read the exact inclusions rather than comparing the headline price alone.

Important Tips Before Booking

Before paying a deposit, ask whether the package is genuinely all-inclusive.

Confirm whether the price includes:

• False eyelashes and makeup products

• Hair accessories and jewellery

• Photography props

• Access to every outfit in the shop

• Original photo files

• Retouched photographs

• Scenic-area entrance tickets

• Transportation to the shooting location

Some studios separate standard costumes from premium or “designer” outfits, which require an additional payment.

You should also ask about the cancellation and deposit policy. If you are unhappy with the makeup, check whether adjustments are included.

A complete makeover normally takes at least 1.5 to 2 hours, so book an early appointment when possible. Wear a light-coloured, low-neck inner layer that is easy to change out of, and avoid complicated clothing.

2. Wear Hanfu While Horse Riding in the Beijing Countryside

For something more adventurous than a conventional city photoshoot, you can combine hanfu in Beijing with a countryside horse-riding experience.

Historically inspired clothing looks completely different when photographed outdoors. Instead of posing beside a palace wall, you can ride through fields, forest paths and open countryside, creating images that feel more like scenes from a Chinese historical drama.

Bite Escape offers a Beijing horse-riding experience that can be combined with hanfu rental and photography. Hanfu clothing can be prepared for guests, although professional makeup and hairstyling are not included. The experience also includes horse-riding instruction, so it is not simply a staged photoshoot.

You will learn the basics of communicating with and controlling the horse before heading outdoors with an instructor. Riding equipment and professional guidance are provided, and the experience can be suitable for beginners depending on the route and conditions.

A local meal is also included, giving travellers an opportunity to experience the countryside beyond Beijing’s famous tourist attractions.

This option is especially suitable for:

• Travellers who enjoy outdoor activities

• Couples looking for unusual travel photos

• Visitors who want to learn a new skill

• Fans of Chinese historical dramas

• People who prefer natural landscapes to crowded scenic areas

Because traditional clothing can restrict movement, the hanfu used for riding should be selected carefully. Safety always comes before appearance, and loose fabric must be properly secured around the horse and riding equipment.

More info please click: Horseback Tours with Bite Escape

3. Enjoy an Immersive Hanfu Dinner Experience

Another way to wear hanfu in Beijing is to combine it with an immersive Chinese banquet.

Restaurants such as Gong Yan 宫宴, sometimes translated as Imperial Banquet or Palace Banquet, recreate the atmosphere of an ancient royal court through elaborate interiors, multi-course meals, traditional costumes and stage performances.

Guests may have the option to change into historical clothing before dinner. Some packages also offer professional makeup and hairstyling for an additional charge. Seating closer to the stage is usually more expensive, so check the seat category when booking.

Yan Wai Yan 宴外宴 is another popular immersive dining experience in Beijing. It combines Chinese cuisine, theatrical performances and hanfu-style aesthetics, with some productions inspired by Dream of the Red Chamber, one of China’s best-known classical novels.

Unlike a standard restaurant meal, these experiences may include:

• Hanfu or historical costume rental

• Traditional makeup and hairstyling

• Live dance and theatrical performances

• Imperial-style table service

• Elaborate palace-inspired interiors

• Dedicated photo areas

This can be a convenient option for visitors who want to experience traditional clothing but do not want to spend several hours walking around outdoor photography locations.

Arrive early enough to change clothes and take photos before the performance begins. Costume, makeup and photography inclusions vary significantly between packages, so confirm everything in advance.

Which Hanfu Experience Is Best for You?

• Choose a traditional photography studio when your priority is getting polished portraits beside Beijing’s famous architecture.

• Choose a hanfu horse-riding experience when you want something active, unusual and connected to the landscape outside the city.

• Choose an immersive banquet when you prefer an indoor evening experience combining costume, food and live entertainment.

Whichever option you choose, experiencing hanfu in Beijing offers more than a beautiful photograph. It provides a playful way to explore Chinese history, aesthetics and storytelling—and to see Beijing from a completely different perspective.