Hanfu — traditional Han Chinese clothing with a history spanning thousands of years — has experienced a remarkable cultural revival across China in recent years. Wearing Hanfu at historically rich locations and sharing the results on Chinese social media platforms has become one of the country's most popular travel trends, drawing both domestic visitors and international travellers who want to experience ancient China in a distinctly immersive way. These three destinations are among the most photographed Hanfu hotspots in the country right now. Book your flights to Beijing and Zhejiang on Traveloka and plan your Hanfu itinerary around this guide.

Hanfu refers to the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese people, encompassing a wide range of styles across different historical dynasties — from the flowing layered robes of the Tang Dynasty to the structured court dress of the Ming and Qing periods. The modern Hanfu revival, driven largely by younger generations rediscovering cultural identity through fashion, has turned historical landmarks across China into living backdrops for Hanfu photography. Rental shops near all major sites make trying Hanfu accessible to any visitor, with no prior knowledge or preparation required.

The Summer Palace is Beijing's most expansive imperial garden, covering 2.9 square kilometres of landscaped grounds, willow-lined lakeshore, painted pavilions, and classical Chinese architecture set around Kunming Lake. As a Hanfu photography destination, it is arguably Beijing's finest — the combination of the serene lake, the ornate Long Corridor, the arched stone bridges, and the Tower of Buddhist Incense creates a backdrop that genuinely looks like a scene from a historical drama at almost every angle.

Spring is the peak season for Hanfu photography at the Summer Palace, when peach and cherry blossoms frame the lakeside pavilions in pink and white. The Long Corridor — a 728-metre covered walkway decorated with thousands of painted scenes — is one of the most popular individual spots within the grounds, offering a sheltered and visually striking setting in any season.

Professional Hanfu photoshoot experiences at the Summer Palace are widely available and typically include a makeup and hairstyling session, Hanfu outfit and accessories, and a guided photoshoot with a professional photographer. Packages usually run for two to three hours inside the grounds and deliver a set of original and retouched images. Booking a professional package in advance ensures outfit preparation time is built into the visit and removes the logistics of sourcing a Hanfu independently.

Take Beijing Metro Line 4 to Beigongmen station (North Palace Gate entrance) or Xiyuan station (East Gate). The Summer Palace is approximately 12 kilometres northwest of central Beijing.

Compare and book hotels in Beijing on Traveloka — staying in the Haidian or Chaoyang districts puts both the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven within easy reach.

The Temple of Heaven is one of the most recognisable structures in China — a circular, triple-roofed hall of deep blue and crimson set against a wide expanse of ancient cypress trees in the heart of Beijing. Built in the 15th century as a site of imperial heaven-worship ceremonies, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most photographed Hanfu locations in the country. The contrast between the vibrant colours of a well-chosen Hanfu and the temple's deep vermillion walls and sky-blue roof tiles creates a visual pairing that has driven its popularity across Chinese social media platforms for years.

The complex is divided into the Inner Altar, which contains the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the Circular Mound Altar, and the famous Echo Wall, and the surrounding Outer Altar park with its centuries-old cypress groves. Both areas offer distinct photographic environments — the Inner Altar for grand architectural backdrops, the cypress groves for a more intimate, filtered-light aesthetic.

Professional Hanfu photography experiences at the Temple of Heaven include outfit dressing, makeup and hairstyling by expert stylists, and a guided photoshoot at the most photogenic locations within the complex. Packages typically deliver around 30 original photographs and several professionally retouched selections. Photography tips widely shared by experienced Hanfu photographers at this location include using props such as round fans, oil-paper umbrellas, and scrolls to add depth and cultural authenticity to the frame, and allowing natural movement to capture the flow of the fabric rather than static poses.

Take Beijing Metro Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen (East Gate) station. The Temple of Heaven is approximately 3 kilometres south of Tiananmen Square, making it easy to combine with other central Beijing attractions in the same day.

Browse Hanfu photography experiences, cultural tours, and guided walks across Beijing and beyond through activities on Traveloka.

Hengdian World Studios in Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, is the largest film and television production base in the world — a vast complex of meticulously recreated historical sets spanning multiple Chinese dynasties, from the Qin and Han periods through to the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing eras. Dozens of major Chinese historical dramas have been filmed here. For Hanfu travellers, Hengdian offers something no other destination in China can: the opportunity to wear period-accurate Hanfu inside actual film sets, surrounded by architecture built to cinematic scale and detail.

The Qin King's Palace set is the destination for Warring States-era Hanfu — the grand stone columns, wide ceremonial courtyards, and dramatic architecture create shots that look indistinguishable from a film still. The Along the River During the Qingming Festival set recreates a Northern Song Dynasty river town in extraordinary detail and is the ideal setting for Tang and Song Dynasty styles. Live performances and occasional active filming add to the immersive atmosphere throughout the day.

Hanfu rental shops throughout the Hengdian complex offer a wide range of dynasty-specific styles, with packages that include makeup and hairstyling. Rental prices start from approximately CNY 100 to CNY 300 depending on the outfit style and included services, making it one of the most accessible Hanfu experiences in China. Staff at rental shops are experienced at matching outfit era to the specific set the visitor plans to photograph in — worth consulting before you choose your costume.

Hengdian is located in Dongyang City, approximately 80 kilometres south of Hangzhou and 300 kilometres southwest of Shanghai. The most convenient route from major cities is by high-speed rail to Yiwu or Jinhua, followed by a local connection to Hengdian. Direct coach services from Hangzhou and Ningbo also serve the town.

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