BEIJING — Chen Jiao transforms visitors to resemble empresses from ancient China at a studio near the Forbidden City in Beijing. She is one of hundreds of makeup artists catering to a growing trend of historical costume experiences inspired by the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Visitors dress in robes richly embroidered with phoenixes and adorn themselves with jade and pearl pendants and gold fingernail guards like those worn in imperial China. Makeup is carefully applied, and their hair is styled and decorated with tassels and hairpins. Once dressed, people go to the walls and moat surrounding the Forbidden City to pose for photos and videos to share on social media. Some visitors pair their historic costumes with sneakers and sunglasses and drink bubble tea while posing for photos near the imperial palace that once housed emperors of China’s last two dynasties.
Chen Jiao recently began work at 6 a.m. and transformed around two dozen young women in a single day. “It can get very busy during peak seasons, especially public holidays and weekends.” she said. “There is no off-season for makeup artists, only a brief lull when the Forbidden City closes.”
The average cost for the styling service is 300 yuan ($45), though prices can exceed 1,000 yuan (more than $150). Around 2020, only a handful of costume styling studios operated in the building where Chen Jiao’s studio is located; now there are more than 100, according to local media.
Chen Xiao, a college student from Shandong province, traveled overnight to Beijing during the Qingming holiday for the experience. She wore a pink outfit typically associated with a “Gege,” or Qing dynasty princess. “I feel like if you’re at a specific location, you should wear something that fits the setting.” Chen Xiao said. “I’ve watched a lot of historical costume dramas. I think I’ve definitely been influenced by those shows. Lately, I’ve been quite into Qing dynasty history.”
Cai Zehong, founder of Hanfu Beijing, said, “Young Chinese people have discovered the aesthetic appeal of traditional clothing while learning about China’s rich cultural heritage.” Hanfu Beijing is one of the earliest ancient-costume associations created by enthusiasts to promote traditions and cultures of the majority Han ethnicity. The long popularity of historical costume dramas in China has contributed to the trend of wearing historical costumes.