Long and beautiful

When I see this famous Chinese painting, I keep quiet for so long. Long because the painting is physically long, and also because it is really beautiful.

Enjoy it with background music played (the landing page is in Chinese; don’t panic. you will see the painting unfold. just slightly scroll down.)

The painting in question is Qing Ming He Shang Tu (Along the River on Qing Ming Festival), a handscroll painting by Song dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan (960-1127). Ranked among China’s top art treasures, the painting is 24.8 cm high, and 528 cm wide. The fine details of the painting, depicting busy life along the river in the then Song capital Kaifeng, are impressive, as well as its spectacular length.

There are many replicas of the painting (and the one shown in the link is probably a replica). The orginal one, kept in Beijing’s Palace Museum, and a replica are now on display in Hong Kong. Do take note that the original painting is usually not displayed to the public for the sake of protection, and this time, Hong Kong public gets the opportunity to view it only because of the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China - a special “present” from the Central Government to the city.

So if you happen to visit Hong Kong this month or next, don’t miss the opportunity.