First China qipao cultural festival opens in Shenyang

The first China qipao cultural festival – a kind of traditional Chinese body-hugging, one-piece dress, also known in Cantonese as the cheongsam – in tandem with the third Shenyang international qipao cultural festival, opened in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China’s Liaoning province, on May 24.

More than 1,200 qipao dresses were showcased during the opening ceremony at the Shenyang Palace Museum.

Hosted by the Chinese Folk Literature and Art Association and Shenyang publicity department, the event will run for eight days, including more than 30 activities related to qipao culture.

According to research, the qipao became a symbol of royal culture and status after Huang Taiji (1592-1643) proclaimed himself emperor in 1636 in Shenyang.

In recent years, Shenyang has done much to study qipao culture and provide various platforms to enable exchanges both locally and internationally.

The first China qipao cultural festival, as well as the third Shenyang international qipao cultural festival opens at Shenyang Palace Museum in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province, on May 24. [Photo/IC]

Models showcase "blue and white porcelain" styled qipao dresses at the opening ceremony of the cultural festival in Shenyang, on May 24. [Photo/IC]