Hanfu Cultural Festival staged in Chengdu Kuanzhai Alley

Hanfu lovers showcase the beauty of Hanfu in Kuanzhai Alley, a cultural tourism landmark in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province. [Photo by Peng Chao/China Daily]

A Hanfu Cultural Festival was staged in Kuanzhai Alley on June 9 in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province. Fifty Hanfu enthusiasts wearing the traditional Chinese clothing led visitors on a special cultural tour.

The festival included a series of experiential activities, such as the recitation of ancient poems about Chengdu, practicing Chinese calligraphy, and playing the game of Touhu, also known as Pitchpot. The Hanfu enthusiasts also showcased the beauty of Hanfu through ancient-style dances and traditional musical instrument performances.

Qi Hehui, a professor at the School of Literature, Southwest University for Nationalities, who also wore Hanfu clothing to the festival, said that she admires the ambition of these young people, who are trying their best to bring the traditional lifestyle back into people's lives.

"They are making progress," said Qi, adding that the Hanfu clothing they wore at the festival was much more authentic than what they wore last time at a similar activity.

"I am very delighted to see such an event today," said Wang Qingyu, a master of martial arts and Taoist medicine, adding that the Hanfu festival is of vital meaning as it indicates that the Chinese traditional culture is being passed on from generation to generation.

Hanfu enthusiasts showcases the beauty of Hanfu culture in Kuanzhai Alley in Chengdu through traditional musical instrument performances. [Photo by Peng Chao/China Daily]

"It's really fun!" said Li Xiaoyong, who noted that her companion from Guangzhou had just graduated from junior high school. Li said they participated in almost all of the experiential activities and what they liked most were the tea art experience and Touhu game.

"I would really like to try wearing Hanfu clothing sometime," Li said, adding that Hanfu culture is so beautiful.

Lingche, president of T. vof, a cosplay society in Chengdu and co-planner of the event, said that the festival is a key part of a larger event called "Scent of Kuanzhai Alley" season, which will last until the end of June.

There has been a fair each month in Chengdu celebrating the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and June is the month for the incense fair, according to the organizers. Following the tradition, a series of activities related to all kinds of scents were held at Kuanzhai Alley to help people enjoy the beauty of life in Chengdu.

A boy plays the game of Touhu, also known as Pitchpot, in Kuanzhai Alley, a cultural tourism landmark in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province. [Photo by Peng Chao/China Daily]