At night, Yingmen Gate glows with bright lights. Groups of graceful women in chest-high ruqun hold palace lanterns and climb the steps. Their flowing sleeves make it feel like thousands of years of Han culture are flowing in the light and shadow. Such dreamlike scenes are common in Luoyang today.As an ancient capital of thirteen dynasties and a major birthplace of Han culture, Luoyang has witnessed half of China’s civilization history. Its bond with hanfu is deeply rooted in the city’s cultural genes. Luoyang is not only a natural holy land for the revival of hanfu culture but also an excellent place to build a hanfu brand. Luoyang’s hanfu is gradually becoming the most vivid cultural symbol of this millennium-old imperial capital in its unique way.
Why is Luoyang a paradise for hanfu enthusiasts?
From the Eastern Zhou Royal City to the Han-Wei Ancient City, from Sui-Tang Luoyang to Northern Song Xijing, Luoyang has always played an important role in Chinese civilization. It has witnessed the most brilliant evolution of Chinese costumes. You can find the earliest traces of both quju shenyi (curved-front deep robe) and quju paofu (curved-front robe) in Luoyang.
Wander around Luoyang, and you can discover costume traces from every dynasty. At the Han-Wei Ancient City Ruins, wear a quju shenyi to feel the grandeur of “ruling the world with proper attire”. At Longmen Grottoes, put on a straight-front robe with Wei-Jin demeanor to connect spiritually with the compassionate gaze of the Lushena Buddha. At Yingmen Gate, Mingtang and Tiantang, drape a gorgeous Tang-style chest-high ruqun—its wide sleeves show the grandeur of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Luoyang truly is a paradise for experiencing hanfu culture. Here, you can feel the elegance of different dynasties and the real history of costume development. Visiting Luoyang shortens the distance between you and history.
In recent years, the Luoyang government has increased support for the revival of traditional culture. It has launched large-scale hanfu cultural activities, preferential policies for scenic spots, and continuous exploration, promotion of hanfu culture. These measures create a favorable experience environment for hanfu lovers. The perfect combination of historical heritage and contemporary innovation makes Luoyang worthy of the title “Hanfu Capital” that Chinese people yearn for.
Where can one experience hanfu in Luoyang?
Luoyang’s hanfu can become a new business card not only because of its profound cultural heritage and rich historical sites but also due to the growth of its hanfu industry.
You can find hanfu rental shops matching the scenic theme at all major attractions in Luoyang. The area around Shizi Street in the old town and Luoyi Ancient City has the most concentrated hanfu shops. Hundreds of shops line the short streets, covering hanfu rentals of various dynasties’ styles, designs, qualities, and prices. The service is quite mature.
Basic hanfu styles usually cost 49-99 yuan per day. More exquisite styles range from 129-199 yuan per day, usually including clothing, makeup, and simple accessories. For the best rental experience, choose professional shops for hanfu makeup and clothing.
If you want to buy a satisfactory hanfu to take home, Luoyang offers many options with diverse purchase channels. Offline, you can visit “Luoyang Hanfu Street” and surrounding business districts. There are numerous hanfu shops with various styles—you can try them on and compare prices before buying. Online, you can place custom orders through social media of local Luoyang hanfu studios.When buying hanfu, start with basic styles with correct patterns. Pay attention to fabric suitability for the season, refer to the size guide carefully, and ensure a good fit.
Taking photos in hanfu is a must-do for every tourist in Luoyang. Luoyang’s hanfu photography industry is highly developed. You can find professional hanfu photography studios near major scenic spots. They offer various packages, usually including multiple scenes, outfits, and retouched photos. With high efficiency and strong shooting skills, they capture stunning hanfu photos for you.
Best Recommendations for Hanfu Photo Spots
Then, what are the iconic hanfu photo spots in Luoyang? First and foremost is Yingtianmen Gate. As the main gate of the imperial palace in Sui-Tang Luoyang City, it oozes the historical charm of the Sui and Tang dynasties. Its city walls and watchtowers are the top choice for hanfu photos with Yingtianmen as the backdrop.
Secondly is the Hall of Light and Paradise. This building, modeled after the Buddhist worship hall and government office during the Wu Zetian era, restores the peak of Tang Dynasty architecture. It’s an excellent place to experience the magnificent atmosphere of the great dynasty through hanfu culture.
Next is Luoyi Ancient City. The bluestone roads, small bridges and flowing water in the ancient city perfectly replicate the scenes of ancient urban life. It’s an ideal location for shooting fresh and literary-style hanfu portraits.
Then comes Longmen Grottoes. Wearing a simple and elegant hanfu in front of the thousand-year-old Buddha statues creates a zen-like scene of time and space interweaving. For Longmen Grottoes, it’s recommended to choose hanfu in the styles of the Northern Wei or Early Tang Dynasty to better match the artistic conception.
Finally are Luoyang’s Jiuzhou Pond and Tianjie Avenue. As an imperial garden of the Sui and Tang dynasties, Jiuzhou Pond features pavilions, terraces, and winding streams. It’s most suitable for shooting hanfu photos with the theme of noble ladies visiting the garden. Tianjie Avenue, with its grand central axis, spacious streets and romantic cherry blossoms on both sides, shapes the stunning artistic conception of hanfu.
Luoyang’s Not-to-Be-Missed Hanfu Activities
In Luoyang, there are regular hanfu events every year to attract hanfu enthusiasts from across the country and promote hanfu culture. The “Luoyang Hanfu Culture Festival” is usually held during the Peony Culture Festival in April. At that time, various hanfu parades, elegant gatherings, and ritual and music performances take turns to be staged. Even on usual days, you can find many hanfu events at various scenic spots—activities like hanfu performances, hanfu street parades, and hanfu flash mobs are very common. Even during the Spring Festival, major scenic spots launch distinctive hanfu events, such as the “Tang Dynasty Spring Garden Party” at the Hall of Light and Paradise, and the “Lantern Festival” at Jiuzhou Pond.
Your Guide to Luoyang’s Hanfu One-Day Tour / Two-Day Tour
If you want to experience Luoyang’s Hanfu culture in a short time, here are well-planned detailed itineraries for a one-day or two-day tour.
For the one-day tour:In the morning, we can arrive at Luoyi Ancient City. Choose a reputable Hanfu rental shop to rent a set of Hanfu, then wander through the ancient city to enjoy its beautiful scenery. At noon, head to Laocheng Cross Street to taste Luoyang’s famous Shuixi (Water Banquet), a traditional local feast. In the afternoon, visit Mingtang (Hall of Light), Tiantang (Hall of Heaven), and Yingtianmen Gate—perfect spots to take stunning Hanfu photos with the grand Tang Dynasty palace style as your backdrop. Then walk to Jiuzhouchi (Nine States Pond) to savor the tranquil beauty of the imperial garden. In the evening, join the Tianjie Hanfu Parade or watch the spectacular light show at Yingtianmen Gate. At night, return the Hanfu, and your one-day journey comes to an end.
For the two-day tour:On the first morning, visit Luoyang Museum to learn about the city’s costume culture. In the afternoon, explore Longmen Grottoes to feel the profound Buddhist spirit of the Northern Wei Dynasty. At night, stroll around Laocheng Cross Street to enjoy snacks and the lively atmosphere.
On the second day, rent a set of Hanfu to enjoy a full day of exploration. In the morning, visit the Site of Han-Wei Ancient City. In the afternoon, go to Mingtang, Tiantang, and Yingtianmen Gate. In the evening, take a night tour of Jiuzhouchi, then finish the two-day trip with a dinner at a Luoyang-style restaurant.
Experiencing Hanfu culture in Luoyang has gradually become a very common cultural phenomenon. It makes history tangible, perceptible, and participatory. When you walk through the streets of this millennium-old capital in Hanfu, every step resonates deeply with history, and every step engages in a profound dialogue with tradition.
Tips for Hanfu Experience in Luoyang
The best seasons to visit Luoyang are spring and autumn, when the city boasts a pleasant climate and flowers in full bloom. You can make a travel plan in advance. For popular Hanfu shops, be sure to book 1-3 days ahead—especially during holidays when there are more visitors.
When exploring in Hanfu, stay mindful of safety to avoid unnecessary losses. In scenic spots, respect cultural relics and historic sites; never damage them arbitrarily. If you plan to walk long distances, it’s a good idea to bring a pair of comfortable shoes to make extended walking easier.
