Hanfu enthusiasts reenact Chinese classic "Dream of the Red Chamber"

Dream of the Red Chamber, written by Cao Xueqin, is recognized as one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature. Today we're at Grandview Garden, the filming location of the acclaimed 1987 TV series adaptation of the book. The show is hailed as a surmountable classic in the history of Chinese television. As we celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, we revisit iconic scenes from Dream of the Red Chamber, capturing the essence of this festive occasion. Empress gave everyone a gift for the Dragon Boat Festival. Red musk beads are strings made of musk and other ingredients. They are Dragon Boat Festival gifts made of spices. Traditionally, the Dragon Boat Festival was a grand celebration, with wealthy families dedicate considerable time to prepare. In the spirit of the Dragon Boat Festival, we explore how Jia's family from Dream of the Red Chamber celebrates this occasion. The festival's main activities include indulging in sticky rice dumplings, wearing colorful robes, and hanging mugwort leaves on doors. It's worth noting that Cao Xueqin, the author of Dream of the Red Chamber, was also a skilled kite maker. Today at Grandview Garden, we have the opportunity to witness Cao's kites, which hold the status of a national intangible cultural heritage. During the Dragon Boat Festival, flying kites serves as a medium to convey hopes and blessings through the wind. Kites are depicted multiple times in Dream of the Red Chamber, and their meanings are expressed through metaphors or symbols. As the summer breeze rustles nearby trees, the fragrance of sticky rice dumplings leaves fill the air. Together we travel through space and time, immersing ourselves in the charm of Dream of the Red Chamber as the festive season begins. Caroline Wu, Xi Jitian, Beijing.