A number of large photographs of Shanxi province's ancient murals have been on display in Yuncheng city since March 26, showcasing the achievements of traditional arts in the North China province.

The exhibition, dubbed "viewing heirlooms from another aspect", was designed by Hou Yimin, an 88-year-old artist and the honorary chairman of the China Mural Association.

Hou hopes that people will appreciate Shanxi's murals from the aspect of fine arts history and the development of Chinese figure painting.

"Paintings depicting ancient social life show the achievements of traditional Chinese murals in many different respects," he said.

The exhibits of murals from the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) covers 1,200 square meters and involves the fields of religion, politics, economics, agriculture and opera of different periods.

All pieces were recorded by Wu Puao, the chairman of Shanxi Photographers Association, in more than 200 local ancient villages, and Buddhist and Taoist temples, where murals have survived through centuries. The largest of the mural photos is life-sized and measures 53 square meters.

There are 30,000 square meters of ancient murals in Shanxi, ranging from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The murals come in different styles and from various ethnic groups, especially those in Yuncheng (Yongle Palace and Qinglong Temple), and reflect typical artistic styles in ancient Shanxi and the development of Chinese ancient murals.

The exhibition closes on May 25 and has already attracted more than 1,000 residents, photographers and photography enthusiasts.

The opening ceremony for the exhibition of Shanxi’s ancient murals takes place on March 26 in Yuncheng, Shanxi province. After the seminar about 150 experts and scholars attended a seminar on the protection of ancient murals. [Photo/people.com.cn]