International students don hanfu to explore Xi'an's Tang Dynasty cultural block

Three international students at the Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine recently visited The Longest Day in Chang'an Theme Block in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, to experience ancient Silk Road culture.

Wearing hanfu, traditional Chinese attire, they wandered along the Tang Dynasty-style architecture and took photos under soft lantern lights on ancient streets.

"The silky embroidery brushes my fingertips, and the loose sleeves flutter in the wind, as if I'm about to step right into Tang poetry," said Pakistani Yalmaz Muhammad (aka Su Wen), in reference to wearing hanfu for the first time.

They watched song and dance performances and played ancient pastimes, including reciting poetry and throwing arrows, with actors and actresses.

Since opening in 2022, the block has received about 80,000 international tourist visits, with an average annual growth rate of 230 percent. Inbound tourists account for around 2.5 percent of all visitors, coming from Europe, America, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and other regions, according to the scenic spot.

The block has partnered with Ctrip International, enabling foreign tourists to buy tickets using passports as IDs. Ticket services and sightseeing guidance are available in Chinese and English.