Chongqing - On September 29, groups of young beauties and fine gentlemen descended on Yunyang Moonlight Lawn for a lively costume parade and garden fair, exquisitely dressed in a rich and colorful variety of traditional garments spanning Han, Tang, Ming, and Song dynasty styles. 

The event delighted public bystanders with an exciting prelude to the first-ever Yangtze International Chinese Costume Art Competition on the first day of the prolonged Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays period.

Traditional costume enthusiasts from home and abroad gathered in style at Moonlight Park in Yunyang County to kick off the inaugural Yangtze International Chinese Costume Art Competition. (Photo/Official Event Album)

The garden fair offered a range of fun games and activities to enrich the atmosphere, which included throwing arrows into pots, the soccer prototype known as ‘cuju,’ tea etiquette, lantern card riddles, and mooncake preparation to a background of live folk dance and music. As a result, the public not only experienced the glamour of traditional costume but also an immersive journey blending national customs from modern and ancient times.

Stalls set up around the park displayed many culturally innovative products themed on the history and culture of Yunyang, with popular items being cute fluffy toys based on the county mascot Xingyun Rabbit, a range of personal accessories like key rings, elegantly designed tea-set gift boxes, paper umbrellas, decorated fans, and bed lamps. Those who couldn’t snap them up in time still had the option to purchase online through vendor QR codes. 

An overseas student from SISU poses for a photograph under a lantern riddle corridor holding the Yunyang mascot ‘Xingyun Rabbit.’ (Photo/Official Event Album)

A 24-year-old young lady from Wuhan by the name of Xiaoli only discovered her passion for traditional costume around two years ago and went through meticulous preparations before taking part in the parade and fair held alongside the Yangtze riverbank in Yunyang. Interestingly, the most intricate and time-consuming detail for participants is preparing hairstyles to match their elegant attire.

“I specially added golden threads into my braid, then chose a gold hairpin and three bead flower ornaments for the headdress. This matched the costume well and made the overall result look very elegant.” Xiaoli explained.

Ms. Liu is a Yunyang citizen who took her family to Moonlight Lawn for a fun evening and came across the parade unexpectedly. After watching the event, she described her impressions about the costumes and the significance behind preserving this heritage. 

“I find these clothes very appealing, and it raises their overall disposition to a whole new level. We should definitely pass on this aesthetic tradition.” Ms. Liu shared.

Overseas students from Russia, DR Congo, and Togo enthusiastically took part in the Chinese costume parade and international competition in Yunyang (Photo/Official Event Album)

Wei Ya from Togo attended Sichuan International Studies University and traveled to Yunyang with a contingent of overseas students for the parade and competition, where she was fascinated by the range of activities on offer. 

“The event was inspiring and allowed me to better understand traditional Chinese culture behind the Mid-Autumn Festival, particularly the charm of wearing Hanfu and the learning techniques for baking mooncakes.” Wei described.