History of Cheongsam
The Cheongsam Dress (qipao) is the native dress of the Manchu nationality - one of the 56 nationalities in China. The Manchurians lived in north-eastern China and their history traces back almost 3,000 years.

Gaining quick popularity in China, the qi pao soon became the traditional costume for Chinese women. The Cantonese called the qi pao "cheongsam," a term literally meaning "long dress."


Excerpt courtesy of http://www.chinese-fashion.com/cheongsam.html

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