Experiencing China, Not Just Visiting
When the Truman family traveled from the United States to Beijing, they wanted an authentic cultural experience. A Summer Palace Hanfu Photoshoot was the perfect way to capture their spring vacation.
Spring in Beijing is incredibly short but breathtaking, with vibrant pink peach and cherry blossoms framing the ancient imperial architecture. To make their visit truly unforgettable, we planned a traditional Hanfu (ancient Chinese clothing) family photoshoot at the Summer Palace.
Rather than stiff, awkward poses, this session was designed as a relaxed family stroll. Meanwhile, The kids had fun playing with traditional fans, while Anna and her husband enjoyed a romantic walk under the blooming trees.
Vincent’s Master Route: The “Picture Scroll” Walk
The Summer Palace is massive, and wandering without a plan usually leads to exhaustion and photo-bombing crowds. For Hanfu photography, you need classical architecture and quiet corners.
Here is the exact route I designed for the Truman family to combine easy sightseeing with stunning photography:
📍 Start: East Palace Gate (东宫门): The most majestic entrance. First of all, we started early here to capture the grand royal vibe before the tour buses arrived.
📍 Viewpoint: Zhichun Pavilion (知春亭): The best spot to capture the blooming peach blossoms with the iconic Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake in the background.
📍 The Quiet Gardens: Garden of Harmonious Interests (谐趣园) & Jiqingxuan (霁清轩): This is my secret weapon. Often called the “garden within a garden,” these classical pavilions and weeping willows offer a serene, traditional vibe perfect for Hanfu portraits.
📍 The Iconic Stroll: The Long Corridor (长廊): We captured candid moments of the family walking along the world’s longest covered wooden promenade.
📍 The Grand Finale: Strolling through a Picture Scroll (画中游 – Huazhongyou): This architectural marvel sits higher on the hill. The winding corridors and pavilions literally make you feel like you are walking inside an ancient Chinese painting.
Chasing Beijing’s Spring Blooms: Peach, Apricot, and Cherry Blossoms
Spring in Beijing is notoriously short, lasting only from late March to late April, but it is undoubtedly the most magical season for photography. The Summer Palace transforms into a living watercolor painting.
As a local photographer, I constantly track the blooming schedule to ensure my clients get the best backgrounds:
Late March: The delicate Mountain Peach Blossoms (山桃) and Apricot Blossoms (杏花) are the first to arrive. In the photos above, you can see the Truman family framed by these breathtaking, vibrant pink branches.
Early April: The elegant white and purple Magnolias (玉兰) bloom around the ancient halls, perfectly complementing the traditional Hanfu style.
Mid-April: The classic Cherry Blossoms (樱花) and blooming Weeping Willows (垂柳) take over. The combination of green willow branches gently touching the lake surface with pink blossoms in the background is the ultimate symbol of a Chinese spring.
Because the floral window is so brief, booking your session in advance is crucial. I guide my clients to specific hidden corners—like the banks near Zhichun Pavilion—where the blossoms are thickest and the crowds are thinnest.
Essential Logistics: Planning Your Summer Palace Hanfu Photoshoot
If you want to recreate this magical experience for your own family trip to Beijing, here is what you need to know:
👗 Costume Rentals: You do not need to buy outfits beforehand! There are numerous Hanfu rental and makeup studios located just outside the Summer Palace (near the North Palace Gate or Beigongmen subway station). They provide the clothes, hair styling, and accessories. As your photographer, I can help recommend quality shops.
⏰ Timing is Everything: Do not book a mid-day shoot. We started our session at 8:00 AM. Early morning gives you the softest light for portraits and allows us to claim the best window frames and bridges before the park gets crowded.
👟 Comfort First: Hanfu skirts are long. Wear comfortable walking shoes underneath—nobody will see them in the photos, and your feet will thank you after a 2-hour walk!
Ready to book your own Summer Palace Hanfu Photoshoot? Let’s skip the stress and capture the joy of your Beijing trip.
[Contact Vincent to Plan Your Beijing Family Photoshoot]
Summer Palace Official Site:https://summerpalace.net.cn/en/index.html?_isa=1
Other family photoshoot works:
Forbidden City Family Photoshoot Guide: How to Beat the Crowds & Capture the Morning Glow
Mutianyu: A Wise Choice for Family Trip Photography
Beijing Family Photography Gem: The Imperial Ancestral Temple