Recently, the Shengjing 1636 Cheongsam Museum officially opened to the public in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province.

The museum’s name originates from the significant milestone year of 1636, when the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) established its capital in Shengjing (now Shenyang). This marked the cheongsam’s transition from imperial court attire to a garment among the people. After hundreds of years, it has become a resplendent pearl in the clothing culture of the Chinese nation. With the construction area of 1,500 square meters, the museum houses 360 over-a-century-old cheongsams, and features eight themed exhibition halls, including “Allure of the Qing Dynasty”, “Floral Clouds” and “Soft and Fragrant Brocade and Gauze”. The museum systematically traces the evolution of the cheongsam: from imperial court attire in the Qing Dynasty to a fashion symbol in the Republic of China (1912-1949), and finally to a modern cultural icon.

“Cheongsam is not only a cultural gene of Shenyang, but also an Oriental treasure to communicate with the world,” said Wang Xiuhui, Curator of the Shengjing 1636 Cheongsam Museum. Wang showed that in the future, based on the museum’s collection resources, they will develop cultural and creative products and digital collectibles, and build an “online + offline” cultural communication matrix, injecting cheongsam culture into public life with a more youthful and vibrant vibe.