Qipao Brings a Touch of Shenyang of Liaoning to Washington, D.C.

A diverse group of local women experiences qipao, discovers its cultural roots and learns about Shenyang of Liaoning Province, known as the “Home of Qipao”

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 21, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol, a group of women in colorful qipao recently brought a touch of traditional Chinese fashion and culture to the heart of Washington, D.C.

Dressed in vivid shades of red, blue, green, purple and gold, the women moved to music, posed together and opened bright red folding fans bearing the words “HOME OF QIPAO · SHENYANG.”

Passersby stopped to watch. Some took photographs, while others pulled out their phones to capture the scene.

For many of the women taking part, it was their first time wearing a qipao — and their first opportunity to learn about the history and culture behind one of China’s most recognizable forms of traditional dress.

The event, organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Liaoning Province, brought together local women from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds to experience qipao and discover its connection to Shenyang, a city in northeast China known as the “Home of Qipao.”

More Than a Beautiful Dress

Beauty was what first caught many participants’ attention.

But after wearing the qipao and learning more about it, they began describing the experience in broader terms: elegance, history, confidence, beauty and culture.

Washington participant Jordan described the qipao as a beautiful gift from Shenyang, Liaoning, saying the experience brought people together and helped them make new friends.

For Nadia, the event introduced a side of the qipao she had not known before.

She had previously thought of it mainly as a traditional Chinese dress. Through the experience, she learned more about the history and culture it represents and its connection to Shenyang.

One of her most memorable moments, she said, was standing in front of the U.S. Capitol in a qipao alongside women from different cultural backgrounds.

The participants learned movements together, posed for photographs, laughed and shared their impressions on camera.

“I love the Qipao,” was a simple reaction heard during the event.

But as participants learned more, new questions followed: Where did the qipao come from? What history does it carry? And what is its connection to Shenyang?

Discovering Shenyang Through Qipao

Those questions introduced many participants to Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province in northeast China.

The city has deep historical and cultural ties to the qipao and was introduced during the event as “Shenyang — Home of Qipao.”

For participants who previously knew little about the city, the connection offered a new way to discover it — through something they could see, touch and wear.

For Heri, the experience sparked an interest in visiting Shenyang herself.

“If one day I could wear a qipao in Shenyang, Liaoning, I would be so excited.”

Her reaction captured a recurring theme among participants: an initial attraction to the beauty of the qipao often led to questions about the culture and place behind it.

A Colorful Scene at the U.S. Capitol

The location made the experience especially striking.

With the U.S. Capitol rising behind them, women from different backgrounds stood together in brightly colored qipao, holding red fans emblazoned with “HOME OF QIPAO · SHENYANG.”

As they moved to the music and opened their fans together, people nearby slowed down to watch. Some stopped for photographs; others recorded videos on their phones.

For the participants, the afternoon became an opportunity not only to wear a traditional Chinese garment, but also to share the experience with people they had met through the event.

For those passing by, it was an unexpected encounter with Chinese culture in the middle of Washington.

From Washington to Shenyang

The moments were captured in interviews, photographs and videos, with participants sharing what they had discovered about the qipao and the culture behind it.

Some came away knowing more about a traditional Chinese dress.

Others came away remembering the name of a city they may not have known before.

And for participants like Heri, the experience planted the idea of one day seeing that city for themselves.

Thousands of miles separate Washington and Shenyang. But on this day, a qipao, a red folding fan and a shared cultural experience brought the two a little closer.

Across the fans was the message: “Shenyang — Home of Qipao.” And from Washington came a simple response: “See you in Shenyang.”

Mike Qin
Media Strategy Global, LLC
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Written By: EIN Presswire