A party for women wearing traditional qipao shows that the young have a new interest in old styles.

A recent theme party in southwestern China's Chongqing celebrated the qipao - the form-fitting ancient-Manchu dress later modernized in coastal Shanghai.

More than 40 women visited a restaurant clad in the colorful clothes. Music was performed on ancient instruments while masters painted traditional pictures and calligraphy. The women also played the ancient board game Go.

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"It's for beautiful women who love qipao to meet new friends offline," says event organizer Wang Youdong, who directs a local channel of Sina's website that focuses on socializing. Attendees included college students, white-collar professionals and entrepreneurs. Most are in their 20s. The youngest is 18.