Han costume (hanfu) was showcased throughout a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration held on the afternoon of Sept 26, the festival's eve.

Having intrigued many citizens, the event was sponsored by the city library and the Kuntai Zhaohua hanfu club, with a theme of "admiring the ancient moon".

A classical dance performance Xi Shi Huan Sha received waves of applause at the beginning of the celebration. It revealed the feminine and elegant charm of Xi Shi, one of the most renowned beautiful women in ancient China, as she did laundry at a riverbank.

A group of girls then amazed the audience with 12 traditional Han costumes in different designs and from various ages.

The moon-worshiping ceremony was completed with incense offerings, drink offerings, and elegiac readings. At the end of the ceremony, moon cakes, oranges, bananas, and apples representing hopes of reunion, wealth and peace were given to all those in attendance.

Girls in traditional Han costume consummate a moon worshiping ceremony in Taicang, Jiangsu province, on Sept 26, 2015. [Photo/Taicang Daily]