The 2026 Cross-Strait Hanfu Carnival, officially launched in Xiamen City, east China's Fujian Province on Friday, brought together over 100 Hanfu enthusiasts and visitors from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Dressed in flowing Hanfu robes, traditional attire which used to be worn by ethnic-majority Han Chinese, participants gathered to celebrate Chinese cultural heritage and explore the enduring charm of classical aesthetics.
Running from May 1 to 5, the event integrates Hanfu traditions from both sides of the strait, moving beyond conventional performance formats to create a dynamic platform for youth-oriented cultural exchange. Supporting activities include a "Flower Goddess" competition, a cross-Strait floral market, and a ceremonial parade featuring participants embodying the "Twelve Flower Gods" of Chinese lore.
"I'm portraying Zhou Dunyi as the Lotus Flower God. As many know, Zhou Dunyi wrote 'On the Love of the Lotus,' and I hope to convey the purity of lotus flower -- 'rising from the mud yet remaining unstained.' I sincerely hope there can be more exchanges between the two sides of the strait with focus on Han culture and Hanfu," said Minhao, a Hanfu enthusiast from Taiwan.
"Engaging in this event has been such a joy. I've always loved the aesthetic of traditional clothing, and it is wonderful to meet so many friends who share the passion for Hanfu," said Xueji, another Hanfu lover from Taiwan.
During the five-day festival, the Flower Goddess Competition was held, with 72 contestants from across the Strait advancing to the finals. Participants showcased their grace, talent, and cultural knowledge through posture presentations, performance arts, and thematic storytelling, vying for the prestigious titles of "Twelve Flower Gods" and "Twelve Flower Fairies."
"Today I'm portraying the 'Pomegranate Flower God,' with Zhang Qian as my historical reference. Seeing the imagery of Zhang Qian's missions to the Western Regions deeply moved me. Coming here, I wanted to experience that atmosphere firsthand and help promote our traditional culture," said Wu Minyi, a participant from Taiwan.
As a signature cultural exchange initiative in Xiamen, nickname as "Egret Island", the Cross-Strait Hanfu Carnival uses the traditional Chinese attire as a unifying thread, weaving together the shared historical and cultural heritage of both sides of the strait. Through diverse interactive formats and immersive experiences, the event aims to strengthen cultural affinity and mutual understanding among the young people from the mainland and the Taiwan region.
Cross-Strait Hanfu carnival held in Xiamen to celebrates shared cultural heritage
