How to Book a Photoshoot, Makeup & Costume Rental

Wearing Hanfu and doing a photoshoot in it has become one of the most popular cultural experiences for visitors to China. The good news is that it is easy to arrange, and in most major cities you can walk into a studio, rent a costume, get makeup and hair done, and have a photographer take you to a scenic spot, all in one booking. The main things to decide are which city to do it in, whether you want a simple rental or a full photoshoot, and which dynasty style to wear. This guide covers all of it.

Where to Book a Hanfu Experience: Xi'an, Beijing or Shanghai

All three cities have strong Hanfu scenes, but they offer different backdrops and styles.

• Xi'an is the top choice for a Tang style shoot. The city was the Tang capital, and the backdrops around the City Wall and Da Tang Ever Bright City match the look perfectly. It is also where you find some of the most affordable full packages.
• Beijing works best if you want palace style. The red walls and royal gardens around the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven suit Ming and Qing dynasty costumes, and the Great Wall is a dramatic option if you want something bigger.
• Shanghai gives you a blend. Traditional gardens like Yu Garden and Chenghuangmiao Old Street sit next to modern city scenes, which makes for a different kind of shoot.

Hanfu in China: Costume Rental vs Full Photoshoot

The first decision is how much of the experience you want.

• Costume rental only: You rent the outfit and do your own photos. This is the cheapest option and works if you already have a good camera and know where to go. Some rentals include basic hair and makeup, some do not.
• Rental with makeup and hair: You get the outfit plus professional styling, but you still take the photos yourself or use your phone. This is the middle option and often the best value.
• Full photoshoot: The outfit, makeup, hair, a professional photographer, and edited photos are all included. This is the full experience and the one most visitors actually want, because the photographer knows the angles and the good spots.

For a first time visitor, the full photoshoot is worth the extra cost. The photographer handles the location, the lighting and the posing, which is hard to do well on your own.

Hanfu in China: Makeup and Hair

Makeup and hair are usually a separate add on, not part of a basic rental.

• Makeup is styled to match the dynasty look, with heavier eyes and softer skin tones for Tang style, for example
• Hair is set with traditional styles, and hair accessories, hairpieces and pins are usually included or offered as add ons
• Eyelashes and some accessories are sometimes extra, so confirm what is included before you book
• The styling can take 40 to 90 minutes depending on the complexity

If you are doing a full photoshoot, book the makeup and hair as part of it rather than trying to arrange them separately.

Hanfu in China: Choosing a Dynasty Style

The style you choose changes the whole look.

• Tang style: Bold colors, high waistlines, wide sleeves, and more dramatic makeup. This is the most popular choice for women, and it suits Xi'an best.
• Ming style: More restrained and elegant, with layered robes and softer lines. It pairs well with Beijing's palace backdrops.
• Qing style: Recognizable for its fitted shapes and the Manchu influence. In practice, most studios push Tang or Ming, and Qing is less common for rental.

Men have options too, though the selection is smaller than for women. Most studios carry a few men's styles, usually in Ming or Tang cuts.

Hanfu in China: Costs

Prices vary a lot by city and package, but here is a rough guide.

Some specific examples: a Tang style shoot in Xi'an can run around $40 for makeup, hair, a photoshoot, raw photos and eight edits. A Beijing studio near Wangfujing may charge about 500 RMB for an hour with a photographer, around 60 photos and 12 edits. A Shanghai studio might charge $80 for a 60 minute self shoot or $120 for a two hour package.

The key is to confirm exactly what is included. Cheaper packages often leave out eyelashes, hair accessories, edited photos or entry tickets.

Hanfu in China: How to Book and What to Expect

• Find a studio. Dianping is the main app locals use to compare studios, check reviews and see prices. Trip.com and Klook also list Hanfu experiences with English support.
• Book the first slot of the day. The outfits are in better condition and the shooting spots are less crowded in the morning.
• Confirm the inclusions. Ask specifically about makeup, hair, eyelashes, accessories, edited photos, entry tickets and whether transport is included.
• Deposits. Most rentals and bookings require a deposit, usually refundable when you return the costume. Confirm the amount and how it is returned.
• Photo delivery. Raw photos are usually sent the same day or within a day, and edited photos take a few days to a week. Confirm the timeline and how many edited images you get.
• Timing. The full experience, from styling to the end of the shoot, takes anywhere from two hours to half a day depending on the package and location.

Hanfu in China: The Best Locations by City

• Xi'an: City Wall, Da Tang Ever Bright City, Xingqing Palace, Qinglong Temple, Bell Tower, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. The areas around the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Great Tang All Day Mall have the most rental shops.
• Beijing: Forbidden City exterior, Temple of Heaven, Beihai Park, Summer Palace, and the Great Wall. Most rental studios are clustered around Wangfujing and Wangfu Century Plaza, near the Forbidden City.
• Shanghai: Yu Garden, Chenghuangmiao Old Street, Style Street, the Bund, and Zhujiajiao water town. Studios like Blossom Hanfu Studio and River Town Classics are well known.

Hanfu in China: What to Wear Underneath

Hanfu is worn over your own clothes, so what you wear underneath matters for comfort and how the photos look.

• Wear fitted, neutral colored base layers, like a thin top and leggings, so the Hanfu drapes properly
• Avoid bulky clothes, high collars or bright colors that will show through or stick out
• Comfortable shoes are fine for walking between locations, since the outfit usually covers your feet or you can change shoes for the photos
• Bring a small bag for your own clothes and belongings, because most costumes have no pockets

Hanfu in China: Can You Enter Attractions in Hanfu?

For the most part, yes. Wearing Hanfu into temples, parks and public scenic areas is common and accepted, and you will see plenty of other visitors doing the same.

The exception is professional photography. Some sites, including the Forbidden City, restrict or require permits for professional shoots, which is why many photographers use the exterior and surrounding areas instead. If you are on a guided shoot, the studio will usually know where photography is allowed and where it is not. If you are doing it yourself, check the rules of the specific site before you go in.

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Hanfu in China: Tips for Foreigners

• Book through a platform with English support if you do not speak Mandarin. Many studios cater to international visitors and some packages include an English speaking guide.
• Check the reviews. Look at recent photo examples on Dianping or the booking platform before you commit, because quality varies a lot between studios.
• Go in the morning. Better outfit condition, fewer crowds, and softer light for photos.
• Confirm the photo delivery timeline. Raw photos are usually quick, but edited images can take a week.
• Bring your own props if you want them. Fans, umbrellas and other props are often included, but if you have a specific look in mind, ask or bring your own.