When Zhang Lingshan was a child, she would watch the Chinese period drama Palace on television, attracted by the characters' ancient clothing. She didn't know what these beautiful clothes (call)-only that they were from some (distance) past. "They looked fairy-like, dreamy," she said. "I was completely drawn by the beauty of these clothes, and then (eventual) came to understand the culture of Hanfu, and I liked it more and more. "
Now aged nineteen living in Beijing, Zhang is a member of China's growing "hanfu movement"-a renaissance(复兴)of the ancient clothing traditionally worn by ethnic-majority Han Chinese before Qing dynasty. Tight-knit Hanfu communities and university clubs often meet up for themed (activity). Zhang and her friends sometimes visit places with ancient architecture, like Beijing's Forbidden City, emperors once lived, to take photos in costume and post them on social media.
Nowadays, Hanfu is seen as a way (celebrate) Chinese culture and improve national self-esteem. In the past few years, Hanfu clubs and social media platforms (help) bring the Han clothing hack under the spotlight. "It's the confidence of the younger people, the confidence of the country," said Christine Tsui, a fashion columnist and researcher (base) in Shanghai.
