Even on a weekday morning, visitors wearing flower hairpins, hanfu, or other traditional Chinese outfits can often be seen strolling through Chikan Old Street (赤坎老街) in Zhanjiang, Guangdong.
Known as an ancient commercial port with a history spanning more than 1,000 years, Chikan Old Street is lined with stone-paved lanes, arcade buildings, and old wharves.
The trend began on Chikan Old Street in October 2023, when the first local flower-hairpin photography studio opened. What started as a niche experience soon grew into a thriving business. In just three years, nearly 100 flower-hairpin photography studios have taken root along the street.
According to local data, Chikan District received about 1.0806 million tourist visits during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, up 32.3% year on year, while tourism revenue reached 1.007 billion yuan, up 35.9%.
Author | Wu Dongjun
Photo | Wu Dongjun
