For the Qixi Festival on Aug 10 (also known as Chinese Valentine's Day), Huaqing Palace in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, organized a grand Tang Dynasty-style wedding ceremony.

Seven couples, from China and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, dressed in splendid Tang Dynasty (618-907) attire. They were adorned with phoenix coronets and robes before being escorted by a ceremonial procession into the palace through the Wangjing Gate of the Huaqing Palace.

Couples pose for a group photo. [Photo/Xi'an Daily]

This full-scale recreation of a Tang Dynasty wedding allowed the couples to tie the knot amidst the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty and the beauty of the royal gardens.

Berik Timur from Kazakhstan expressed, "For those of us who love Chinese culture, being able to dress in traditional Chinese attire and experience traditional Chinese rituals in the historically rich Huaqing Palace is truly unique and precious."

The couples sign a marriage contract. [Photo/Xi'an Daily]

The Huaqing Palace also provided various cultural experiences, such as traditional papermaking and velvet flower hairpins, allowing couples and visitors to further immerse themselves in the charm of Chinese culture.

Furthermore, special benefits were provided, including free entry for newlyweds nationwide on the day of the event upon presenting their marriage certificates and ID cards, as well as free entry for those wearing traditional Chinese clothing.

Couples experience the Tang Dynasty-style wedding. [Photo/Xi'an Daily]