After finishing this set of photos in Hengdian, the most unforgettable experience was actually being chased by the local kids to take photos together. The sensitivity of these young boys and girls to character recognition was truly beyond expectation. Seeing me walk past, they weren't shy at all, directly calling out to take photos together, and even guiding my standing positions on the spot! This was probably the most rewarding interaction I've had outside of anime conventions.
In terms of clothing, in order to restore the character's temperament this time, I put quite a bit of effort into everything from styling the silver-white wig to securing the animal ears. The blue-and-white high-collared top, paired with intricate golden patterns, the white waist sash, and the leg rings, gave the overall look a strong sense of layering. The coat is a white outerwear piece featuring metallic Chinese frog closure buttons. During the shoot, the lighting on the opera stage was fantastic, perfectly capturing the texture and details of the fabric's reflections. To match the character's powerful aura, I opted for cool-toned eyeshadow paired with light-colored contact lenses and red lips, making me look highly commanding on camera. Accessories like shoes and gloves were also fully equipped, especially those glossy black ankle boots, which felt incredibly stylish to walk in.
For this trip to Hengdian, I chose two different shooting locations. The wooden-structure opera stage shown in the photos was our first stop, where the red, yellow, and blue gauze drapes and the ancient blue-tiled roof turned out highly photogenic. Those classical elements fit the Chinese-style photography design of this outfit perfectly. The foot traffic in Hengdian was quite heavy during the shoot, but fortunately, this location was relatively spacious, allowing me to walk back and forth on the stage to capture natural snapshots. The shutter clicked seamlessly because the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the roof's wooden frame created beautiful, dappled light and shadow. We captured both wide-angle panoramas and close-ups, and I personally really love the close-up of the sitting pose.
Regarding doing a Hengdian cosplay, if you also have plans for this, I highly recommend checking the weather forecast in advance. If you go in summer, make sure to apply sunblock since most scenic areas are outdoors—for example, the opera stage we visited was completely exposed to the sun. Another very important tip is to bring portable makeup touch-up tools and spare wig hairpins. Hengdian is huge, and there is a lot of walking between scenic spots, so it's common for hairstyles to get messy from sweating or walking. Also, if you plan to take casual tourist-style photos, bring a few outerwear pieces or cloaks that are easy to put on and take off, making the transition between indoors and outdoors much smoother.
I also met many other tourists or photographers in Hengdian who greeted me warmly when they saw this outfit. Because we had to visit two scenic areas, the schedule for this journey was quite tight, but being able to get satisfying photos and experiencing the joy of being followed by young local fans the whole way made it truly worthwhile. The backdrops and props here naturally have a premium texture that looks great without needing too much lighting. This is one of the reasons why I highly recommend Hengdian if you have the budget for an outdoor shoot.
Besides the scenery, what touched me most about this shoot was experiencing the cultural atmosphere of different places. In fact, one of the pleasures of cosplay is allowing 2D characters to briefly enter the real world and meet everyone. Whether it was the kids circling around me and curiously asking all kinds of questions, or the helpful shop owners who gave directions, they all filled this journey with many unexpected colors. I believe that as long as you carry your love for the character and the shoot, you can leave wonderful memories no matter where you go.