Hanfu Photoshoot in Hangzhou: 花晨月夕
Hi my lovely readers!
A 汉服 (Hànfú / hanfu) photoshoot at 西湖 (Xīhú / West Lake) had been on my list for months before I went to Hangzhou. The combination of traditional costume, a skilled photographer and one of China’s most iconic backdrops felt like something I could not leave without doing, and it completely delivered. If you are heading to Hangzhou and have not added this to your itinerary yet, let me change your mind right now.
Finding and Booking 花晨月夕 (Huā Chén Yuè Xī)
I found them through 小红书 (Xiǎohóngshū / Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote) after comparing several studios. The style of photos in their portfolio was natural-looking rather than heavily staged, and the makeup style felt more wearable than some other studios I had seen. Once I decided, I messaged them on WeChat (微信, Wēixìn), discussed the date, and paid a deposit of RMB 100 (around SGD 19) to confirm the booking.
Tip: Before you go, spend some time on 小红书 (Xiǎohóngshū / Xiaohongshu) looking at different 汉服 (Hànfú / hanfu) styles from different dynasties and regions. There are so many outfit options at the studio that walking in without a reference point can feel overwhelming fast. Save a few photos you love and show them to the staff when you arrive. It makes the whole selection process so much faster and you are less likely to second-guess yourself in the moment.
The full package costs RMB 400 (around SGD 75) per person and includes one outfit, the photoshoot, 8 edited photos and all the raw photos. Though they will quote 499 in their pamphlet, I believe there should be some room for negotiation if they don’t give this discount. They do offer additional edited photos at the end for around RMB 100 (around SGD 19) for 3 to 4 extras, but in my opinion, skip it. They give you pretty much all the raw files anyway, so you have plenty to work with.
On the Day
We arrived at 9am and called them on WeChat to find the exact store location. They don’t tell you the actual store as it is a little tricky to find on your own. Hence, do arrive 15 mins earlier. Once inside, we had about 10 minutes to pick our outfits before heading straight into hair and makeup.
Each of us had our own stylist who also doubled as the makeup artist, which made the whole process really smooth.
The makeup artist did an incredible job balancing out the natural asymmetry in my eyes so that in the final photos, they look almost identical. By 10am we were ready and heading out for the shoot.
Our photographers did not speak much English, but they would physically adjust our posture and positioning when needed, which actually worked well. We walked to our first location and by 10:20am, the shoot had started. At 11am we were done with the shoot, which was faster than I expected. The experience felt a little more rushed than I anticipated, but that gave us more time to explore 西湖 (Xīhú / West Lake) on our own afterwards in full costume, so honestly it worked out.
Something I did not do but you absolutely should: ask to see the raw files on the camera mid-shoot. If a shot does not feel right, you can ask to retake it on the spot. I got lucky and was happy with mine, but knowing you have that option makes a difference.
By 11:30am we were back at the studio choosing our edited photos. They edit all the raw files first and then you pick your 8 to keep, which sounds simple but is genuinely hard when so many of them look good. My trick: skip the ones that are easy to edit yourself and save your picks for the shots that truly benefit from their professional retouching.
They edit the photos to look slimmer and brighter than real life. I barely recognised myself. This is completely standard practice for this style of photography in China, just go with it, it is part of the aesthetic and the results are beautiful. Since we were foreigners, they sent some photos directly on WeChat and imported the raw files onto our phones via USB, which was a seamless process.
We also did a quick group shot with all three of us at the end, which turned out really well. Definitely ask for one if you are going with friends!
The Colours Matter More Than You Think
This is the most important tip I can give you: go bold with your colour choice. While soft, muted tones are beautiful, bolder colours photograph even better outdoors against the greens, greys and water tones of 西湖 (Xīhú / West Lake). The more saturated and dramatic your colour, the better your photos will turn out.
There were three of us that day and we each went in a different direction. One wore green, another blue, and I went with a turquoise outerpiece layered over a light gold dress. All three of us looked great, but when I compared the edited photos side by side, there was a clear difference in how the colours popped against the West Lake backdrop. Mine came out with so much more depth and vibrancy in the edits. The contrast between the costume and the landscape just had something to work with.
Tip: The staff are incredibly helpful during selection, just point and ask 那一套比较出片 (Nǎ yī tào bǐjiào chū piàn / which outfit photographs better) and they will guide you. No Mandarin needed beyond that one phrase.
After the Shoot
We kept our outfits on after selecting our photos to explore 西湖 (Xīhú / West Lake) and took our own photos, which was such a good call. We wandered around until about 2pm before heading back to return the outfits and grab lunch. The outfits are beautiful and delicate, so be careful, no food, avoid sitting on the ground, and keep an eye on the hem near water.
During our wander, we stumbled across a small hand-rowing boat service near the lake with almost no queue. The original pier we wanted to go 15 mins away, had a three-hour wait and this one was 30 mins.
Sitting on the lake in full 汉服 (Hànfú / hanfu) with Hangzhou’s waters in the background was one of those completely unplanned moments that ends up being the one you talk about most. If you find it, get on the boat. Do not overthink it.
No Booking? Still Worth Trying
If you have not booked ahead, the building where 花晨月夕 (Huā Chén Yuè Xī) is located has many other 汉服 (Hànfú / hanfu) rental shops. Walk in, browse the options, and if the price works, get started on the spot. Great if you are more of a go-with-the-flow traveller and did not plan this.
If You Are Travelling Solo
While it can be intimidating, a 汉服 (Hànfú / hanfu) photoshoot is absolutely worth doing solo. You get the photographer’s full attention, the session feels more personal, and wandering 西湖 (Xīhú / West Lake) in costume alone is something else entirely. Take your time, follow the paths, and just enjoy being in one of China’s most beautiful cities dressed in one of its most beautiful outfits.
Solo Female Tip: 花晨月夕 (Huā Chén Yuè Xī) is easy to communicate with on rednote, although they will only inform on prices via WeChat. The whole booking process can be done over WeChat with photos, and the staff on the day are patient and gesture well.
Getting There
📍 66 长生路 (Chángshēng Lù / Changsheng Road), 湖滨街道 (Húbīn Jiēdào / Hubin Street), 上城区 (Shàngchéng Qū / Shangcheng District), Hangzhou (50 metres from Guomao carpark entrance, 100 metres to 西湖 / West Lake) Level 3
📱 Find on 小红书 (Xiǎohóngshū / Xiaohongshu), book via WeChat (微信, Wēixìn), pay RMB 100 (SGD 19) deposit to confirm
💰 RMB 400 (SGD 75) per person, includes 1 outfit, photoshoot and 8 edited photos
🕔 We started at 9am and were done by 11:30am, with the full afternoon free to explore
Have you done a 汉服 (Hànfú / hanfu) photoshoot before or is this going on your Hangzhou list? Drop me a comment below, I would love to see where you all end up shooting! And if you are still planning your Hangzhou trip, my full 3-day guide has everything you need. [Hangzhou in 3 Days Guide]
- Hangzhou in 3 Days Guide
- Hangzhou In77 Complete Guide
- 外婆家 Hangzhou In77 Review
- Essential Apps to Download for China
- How to Pay for Things in China
- The Ultimate Shanghai & Hangzhou Travel Guide
