As one of the representative symbols of Haipai culture (Shanghai-style culture), the Haipai Cheongsam (Shanghai Qipao) has always been known for highlighting the delicate figure and elegance of women. However, what many people don't know is that when foreigners wear cheongsams, they exude a different style that is equally stunning.

How to help foreigners understand Haipai culture? Some good ways are listening to a lecture on cheongsam, enjoying a Kun Opera performance, watching a cheongsam show, and learning to make traditional Shanghai snacks. On October 12, nearly 30 members of the group Consular Spouses Shanghai (CSS) from the United States, Germany, Greece, Spain, Kuwait and many other countries came to Evergreen Homeland to participate in a cultural experience activity following the theme of "A Century of Cheongsam, A History of Quintessential Beauty" to experience the unique charm of Shanghai-style culture in an immersive way.

Guided by the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the event was organized by the Shanghai Qipao Culture Promotion Association and Shanghai Merry Star Culture and Tourism Investment Holding Co.,Ltd. and was co-organized by the Shanghai Kunqu Pengpai Art Research Center and the Huacao Jinfeng International Community Development Association.

At the beginning of the event, Zhao Jinyu, a Kun Opera artist and ambassador of Haipai cheongsam culture, opened the lecture on "A Century of Cheongsam, A History of Quintessential Beauty" with a wonderful Kun Opera performance. From the origin and development of the cheongsam to domestic and foreign celebrities wearing cheongsams, Zhao talked about the development of the Haipai cheongsam with photos of representative celebrities, cheongsam craftsmanship and historical backgrounds.

　　Trying on cheongsams

　　Cheongsam show

Afterwards, team members from the Shanghai Qipao Culture Promotion Association presented a unique cheongsam show and helped the members of CSS to try on cheongsams and experience the charm of Haipai cheongsam.

　　Emy Marinova, wife of the Consul General of Greece in Shanghai

All the foreign guests attending the event were from the CSS, which was founded by the spouses of diplomats from the Consulates General in Shanghai. Emy Marinova, wife of the Consul General of Greece in Shanghai and president of Consular Spouses Shanghai, said,"CSS was founded 25 years ago and aims to organize and participate in local cultural events to help its members better integrate into local life in Shanghai and China. This cultural experience event is a good example of interactive exchanges that generate a deeper understanding of Shanghai-style culture". Emy wore a blue cheongsam, which was originally her Chinese friend's dowry and has now been passed on to her as her favorite possession. In addition to this precious gift of friendship, Emy's cheongsams were mostly purchased in Shanghai."Here, I can see many foreign cheongsam lovers like me, and many shopkeepers can communicate with me in English and customize a cheongsam for me", Emy said with a smile.

In the afternoon, the members of CSS learned how to make Shanghainese wontons with the guidance of Chinese teachers, experiencing the charm of traditional Shanghai cuisine in the process of making them. Maha Boftain, wife of the Consul General of Kuwait in Shanghai, learned how to make wontons for the first time in her life and gradually got better after wrapping the first wonton. She has just been in Shanghai for two months and this was also the first time she had worn a cheongsam. She said she loved the red cheongsam she had bought on Changle Road in Shanghai."I think I will go back to the same shop again because cheongsams make women more elegant. Costume is a very nice way to show everyone that these two societies are communities connecting with each other", said Maha.

　　Following the instructors’ guidance to make Shanghainese wontons