Hanfu turns a visit to Beihai Park into something more personal than a quick photo stop. After choosing an outfit inspired by Tang, Song, or Ming styles, you get hair and makeup prepared to suit the look, then head to the park’s historic setting for pictures among old buildings and garden scenery.
I like two things about this experience: the styling is part of the outing, so you do not have to arrange a costume and makeup separately, and the photo package gives you a photographer to help with poses. The basic option is cheaper if you already have someone to take pictures, or simply want to enjoy wearing the clothes.
One consideration: the costume can feel hot, especially in summer, and the shop does not provide individual lockers. The basic package also excludes photography, so check your chosen option before booking.
- At a glance
- From Qianhai West Street to your Hanfu look
- Wearing the costume in Beihai Park
- Choosing between the two packages
- Heat, bags, and the return deadline
- Who will get the most from it
- Should you book this Hanfu experience?
- FAQ
- Where do I go to get dressed and have my makeup done?
- Which metro station is named for reaching the shop?
- How long is the Beihai Park visit?
- Is photography included in every package?
- What is included in the basic package?
- How much is the clothing and props deposit?
- When must I return the costume?
- Are park admission tickets included?
- Are lockers available at the shop?
- Is there an age limit?
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At a glance
- Choose a period-inspired look: Hanfu options include Tang, Song, and Ming styles, with hair accessories, styled hair, forehead decorations, and cloud shoulders available as part of the look.
- Makeup and hair are included: Staff adjust the makeup and hairstyle to suit your face and the chosen costume.
- Beihai Park is the photo setting: The park visit is self-guided, giving you time to take pictures among its lakeside scenery and historic architecture.
- Photography costs extra: The basic package excludes it. The upgraded option includes 30 raw photos and 5 retouched images.
- Plan for a deposit and a timely return: Bring CNY500 per person for the clothing and props deposit, and return everything to the shop by 5:30 PM.
- Mind the practical snags: There are no separate lockers, and park ticket arrangements have occasionally needed sorting out at the entrance.
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From Qianhai West Street to your Hanfu look
The experience begins at Mujiaren Hanfu Ancient Style Travel Photography, the Prince Gong’s Mansion store at No. 16 Qianhai West Street. Beihai North Station on Metro Line 6 is the nearest transit clue provided, followed by a walk using navigation. A taxi may not be able to drive all the way down the shop’s street, so you may need to walk a short distance from the main road.
At the shop, you choose one set of Hanfu, then have makeup and accessories applied. The costume styles include Tang, Song, and Ming-inspired options. The styling can include an updo, hairpins with flowers, forehead decoration, and cloud shoulders. These details matter: the finished look is not just a borrowed robe, but a coordinated outfit designed to read well in photographs.
Staff are Chinese-speaking. If you do not speak Chinese, a translation app may help with choosing clothes and explaining what you want. One visitor found the staff patient while she selected an outfit and noted that the makeup included lashes and hair styling. No specific staff or photographer names are provided, so do not expect to book a named stylist.
Allow time for the full preparation, not only the advertised one-hour park portion. A group of eight completed dressing and makeup in less than an hour and a half, but your own time will depend on the number of people and how long you spend choosing clothes. Arriving early may help you get started promptly. One person who arrived around 9 AM was able to begin right away.
You can also read our reviews of more photography tours in Beijing
Wearing the costume in Beihai Park
Once dressed, you head to Beihai Park. The listed park portion lasts one hour and is self-guided, so treat it as a focused photo visit rather than a full park tour. You can take pictures by the lake and around the park’s historic buildings and gardens, then return to the shop with enough time to change and hand back the outfit.
The appeal is the contrast between traditional clothing and Beijing’s old architecture. Instead of leaving with only a snapshot of a landmark, you have pictures in which the costume, setting, and styling work together. That makes this a good fit if you enjoy dressing up or want a keepsake tied to a particular place. It also gives children, couples, friends, and families a shared activity, not just a turn in front of a camera.
If you choose the photography option, the photographer guides your poses and looks for atmospheric shots. That help can be useful if you are not used to posing in formal clothing. One customer found the photographer enthusiastic and helpful; another had a less positive interaction. Service can vary, so if a pose feels uncomfortable or you want a different style, say so clearly.
Without the photography add-on, you will need to arrange your own pictures. That may mean asking a companion to take them or using a phone and tripod, if you have one. The basic package still includes the costume, makeup, and accessories, but it does not include a photographer.
Choosing between the two packages
The basic Hanfu costume experience with makeup and accessories starts at US$29.65. It includes one outfit and one makeup-and-accessory session, but no photography. This is the better-value choice if your priority is trying Hanfu and you have a reliable way to take pictures.
The photography package starts at US$59.60 and includes 30 raw photos and 5 retouched photos, in addition to the costume and styling. That is a useful upgrade if you want someone else to handle posing and image-making. One customer received more than 30 raw images on the day and the selected retouched pictures within a few days. Delivery timing may vary, so confirm how and when your images will arrive.
The listed starting prices are not necessarily the final price for your date or group. Compare the exact package details before paying, particularly if park admission is important to your plans. Admission is listed as included, but ticket arrangements have not always gone smoothly: one group received only two tickets for four people, while another had to replace tickets issued for the wrong time of day. Confirm the number and timing of tickets for everyone in your booking before leaving the shop.
Heat, bags, and the return deadline
Hanfu can be warm, and summer heat changes the calculation. In August, one family found that the boys took only a few pictures before removing their costumes, while the girls were happy to keep posing. If you are visiting in hot weather, consider a shorter photo session and wear light clothing underneath if the costume allows it. The information does not specify the fabric or underlayers, so ask the shop if you have concerns.
There is space to leave luggage at the shop, but no separate lockers are provided. You may be asked to keep an eye on your bag, which is awkward when getting dressed or having makeup done. Bring only what you need, keep valuables with you, and do not assume your belongings will be secured in a private locker.
A CNY500 deposit per person is required for costumes and props. It is refunded in full when items are returned without damage or large stains. Keep food and drinks away from the outfit, and take care around the park. The clothing must be back at the shop by 5:30 PM on the day of the activity. The stated operating hours are 8 AM to 5:30 PM, with last admission at 5 PM, so leave a generous buffer for the return trip and changing.
The scheduled park visit is one hour, but the activity’s overall timing depends on your styling appointment and plans. Staff are expected to contact you before the activity by phone or email, so check your messages for the confirmed start time. Weather and traffic can affect the schedule.
Who will get the most from it
I would choose this experience if wearing Hanfu is a meaningful part of your Beijing plans, or if you want a family or couple photo with more character than a standard landmark snapshot. It is also a practical way to combine costume rental, makeup, and a historic park setting without arranging each element separately.
It is less appealing if you dislike elaborate styling, are uncomfortable in warm clothing, or mainly want a guided history tour. The park visit is self-guided, and the package is focused on dressing and photographs rather than historical interpretation. You will get more from it if you enjoy the process of selecting a look and making time for pictures.
For families, the experience has no stated age limit. Parents should still consider each child’s patience for makeup, hair styling, and wearing a costume in warm weather. For groups, coordinate package choices and ticket counts in advance so the whole party is included in the same plan.
Should you book this Hanfu experience?
Book it if you want the costume and styling to be part of the Beijing memory, especially if you plan to pay for the photographer and value guided posing. The most appealing elements are the period-inspired outfits, detailed hair and makeup, and the chance to photograph them in Beihai Park.
Skip it if you want a full guided park visit, secure luggage storage, or a guaranteed cool-weather outing. Before you commit, confirm the package, photo count, park tickets, start time, and deposit. With those details settled, this can be a fun, distinctive way to make a day in Beijing feel like more than another check-in.
Beijing Beihai Park Ancient Costume Hanfu Travel Photography (Ancient Costume Hanfu + Makeup & Accessories/Photography/Multiple Packages Available)
“It was a fun experience. We bought 4 package which was supposed to include 4 tickets to Beihai Park, but they only gave us 2. We had to queue up to…”
FAQ
Where do I go to get dressed and have my makeup done?
Go to Mujiaren Hanfu Ancient Style Travel Photography, Prince Gong’s Mansion store, at No. 16 Qianhai West Street.
Which metro station is named for reaching the shop?
Take Metro Line 6 to Beihai North Station, then walk to the shop using navigation.
How long is the Beihai Park visit?
The park portion is listed as one hour and is self-guided. Allow additional time for makeup, hair styling, changing, and returning the costume.
Is photography included in every package?
No. The basic package excludes photography. The upgraded option includes 30 raw photos and 5 retouched photos.
What is included in the basic package?
It includes one Hanfu outfit and one makeup-and-accessory session. Photography is not included.
How much is the clothing and props deposit?
The deposit is CNY500 per person. It is refunded in full if the clothing and props are returned without damage or large stains.
When must I return the costume?
Return it to the shop by 5:30 PM on the day of the activity.
Are park admission tickets included?
Admission is listed as included. Confirm the number and timing of tickets for your party, as ticket arrangements may need checking.
Are lockers available at the shop?
No separate lockers are provided. Luggage may be left at the shop, but plan to keep an eye on your belongings.
Is there an age limit?
No. The activity has no age limit.
