The painting is known as the Mona Lisa of China.

The ancient painting "Qingming Shang He Tu" (Overlooking the River on Qingming Festival) is more than 5 meters long and is one of China's most precious treasures.

Panorama of the painting "Above the River during Qingming". Photo: Ancient Origins

According to Ancient Origins, the painting "Qingming Shang He Tu" or "Riverside Scenery on Qingming Festival" is one of the most famous works of art in China, dating back to the 12th century. It depicts the scenery inside and outside the capital city of Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng, Henan Province) during the Song Dynasty, during the Qingming Festival.

"Along the River During Qingming Festival" is also known as "China's Mona Lisa". The public rarely gets to see the real painting, only copies, because the original is so precious. The last time the painting was exhibited was more than 10 years ago, in 2002 in Shanghai.

Since September 8, Beijing residents have been queuing for six hours outside the Forbidden City to see the original. The painting will be on display until October 12.

Zhang Zhe Duan (1085-1145) painted the work on a long scroll, 24.8 cm high and 5.29 meters long. Viewers must enjoy it from right to left.

The painting depicts people, animals, rivers, boats and houses in the countryside, suburbs and city center. It looks like a snapshot of the bustling city during the festival.

According to the China Online Museum, the word "qingming" is translated as "clear and bright". However, Professor Valerie Hansen of Yale University (USA) said that another translation of the word "qingming" is "peace and order". Therefore, the title of the painting is also synonymous with "peace reigning across the river".

When opened, "Qingming Shang He Tu" will include three main areas: the countryside on the right side, businesses and other activities in the middle, then the river scene, traffic roads, and the bridge across the river. Further to the left is the bustling city scene as well as the entrance gate.

The rural area has a small bridge, a stream, crop fields and country people (pig farmers, goat herders, farmers). There is also a road leading into the city centre where more houses appear and the population becomes more dense.

Looking out over the city, we see a large river, bustling with boats from the beginning of the town to the main streets and the border gates. Shops sell a variety of goods including: food, wine, cooking utensils, musical instruments, gold and silver, lanterns. They also sell bows and arrows, decorations, paintings, medicines, needles, and dyed fabrics.

The most prominent part of the painting is near the center, where a bridge spans the river and people are moving across it. Some of the people standing on the bridge are gesturing, fearing that the large masted ship might collide with the bridge.

The left side of the painting shows the city with its entrance gate. There are many shops, a tax office, and people loading goods onto boats. People seem to be very busy. They are walking, standing in the streets, carrying baskets on their shoulders, or using animals such as camels and donkeys to transport goods. There are also ox carts and horse carts on the streets. The buildings are also very diverse, from simple huts to large buildings such as temples, hotels, and administrative buildings.

According to Women of China, the Palace Museum plans to display the original painting next in 2020.

According to VnExpress