Review | “Wearing” Haipai Retro Cycling—An Immersive Experience of Modern Era Shanghai-Style Culture

On the afternoon of November 17, 2024, the Huiwan Club organized a unique immersive Haipai cultural experience event on the banks of the Huangpu River in Pudong, Shanghai—“Wearing” Haipai, Retro Cycling. A total of 20 people participated in this event, which officially started at 1 PM.

Group photo of the “Wearing” Haipai Retro Cycling event

Wearing Traditional Clothing, Reliving the Modern Era

At the beginning of the event, under the guidance of the famous Hongbang tailor, Mr. Lü Fang, everyone put on various traditional outfits, including the Zhongshan suit, elegant long gowns for men, simple and elegant qipao for women, and student uniforms.

The picture shows a corner of Hongbang tailor Mr. Lü Fang’s studio at WE Lai Fang.

Mr. Lü Fang selected different outfits for each person to experience.

The picture shows everyone quickly traveling through time in traditional clothing, spontaneously starting a short skit.

The picture shows two gentlemen wearing elegant long gowns.

Mr. Lü then led everyone to visit the Haipai Cultural Heritage Development Center located in Weifang Street’s “WE Lai Fang,” sharing his stories of making and promoting traditional Chinese clothing. This gave everyone a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese clothing culture.

Mr. Lü Fang explained the history and culture of traditional Chinese clothing to everyone.

Retro Cycling, Experiencing Haipai Charm

The picture shows Master Lü Fang with participants wearing traditional Zhongshan suits.

The picture shows Master Lü Fang riding with participants on the Pudong Riverside Cycling Path.

After donning the modern-era attire, everyone got on their bicycles and started the afternoon’s retro cycling. The original route was to take the Huangpu River ferry to the old wharf in Puxi. However, due to the high tide of the Huangpu River, the ferry service was temporarily suspended, and the group had to change their plans, stopping at the riverside trail next to the Art Warehouse Museum in Pudong.

The picture shows participants spontaneously performing a retro skit on the Pudong Riverside Waterfront Platform.

Despite the change in plans, everyone remained enthusiastic, taking retro-style photos along the banks of the Huangpu River in their modern-era outfits.

Event Concluded Successfully, Leaving Participants Wanting More

The event, originally scheduled to end at 4:30 PM, concluded successfully at 5:30 PM due to the participants’ high spirits. Many expressed that through this event, they truly understood the clothing culture of the modern era and felt the unique charm of Haipai culture. Not only did they experience a unique retro cycling event, but they also gained a deeper understanding of the blend of tradition and modernity in Shanghai. Many participants expressed their anticipation for more similar cultural events in the future, allowing them to continue exploring and experiencing the rich and colorful Haipai culture.

They are visiting WE Laifang Shanghai Style Culture Inheritance and Development Center.

The success of this Huiwan Club event was made possible by the special support of Hongbang tailor Mr. Lü Fang, as well as the visual creative design provided by Yizhi Advertising, the venue provided by WE Lai Fang, and the bicycle media support from Qile Network and 7Cycling. We look forward to more such events in the future, leading everyone to continue “wearing” Haipai, “traveling” through time, and experiencing the charm of Haipai culture.