The QingMing week this week (for my family) reminded me about this one painting, which is the pride of China and is deemed the Mona Lisa of China that I was lucky enough to see back in Aug 2007. To mark the 10th anniversary of Britain’s return of Hong Kong to China back in July 1, 2007, the Chinese government has sent a couple of artworks which are the pride of China to Hong Kong to be exhibited at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. That great painting deemed the Mona Lisa of China, is Zhang Zeduan’s; Along the River During the Qingming Festival (清明上河图), a scroll painted in the 12th century.
Due to the paintings fragility, it is seldom displayed, even in its home back in the Beijing museum. I was just plain lucky to be able to experience this, and to see this 1000 year old painting with my own eyes. To begin with, I’m not expert in any of these Chinese history. But I am proud of the rich culture in art and music among the Chinese society since forever. Our history is so rich, I bet it has got to be one of the richest culture in the history of mankind.
some one part of the 5.28 meter painting
My uncle was ecstatic (and he went to see this painting 3 times which it was being exhibited in the Hong Kong Museum of Art) and he went on to buying tickets for me and my aunt. It wasn’t even pricey (if I remember correctly, it was a mere HKD30 per entrance) so it was all very worthwhile. He even gave us a pre-museum-visit briefing the night before — to make sure we’re not lost and that we see everything that we’re supposed to see (yes, he’s all very paranoid with us). Sessions are allocated for each group of people to have their turn in viewing the painting. Each session is only a mere 5 minutes. 5 minutes to view a 5.28meter painting — that’s just too quick! With the queue being really long, the museum has got no choice. Our group manage to go for 2 rounds before our 5 minutes is up.
checking out the painting - i did this too!
the long queue -- waiting for their turn
I didn’t know how to feel then. Maybe I was not aware of how great this painting is. With 814 humans, 28 boats, some 170 trees, 20 cars and 8 sedan chairs in all by scholars’ count, this painting is strewn with all kinds of businesses including restaurants, guesthouses, incense and herbs shoprs, pharmacies, street stalls with a wide variety of architectural structures including this awesome rainbow bridge. But I know many who were present were very excited. Some were overwhelmed by the opportunity of being able to view this painting. Others are just ecstatic.
When I was at the museum reading the write-ups of this painting, it is said that if you look close enough, the facial expressions of all the 814 humans are different. The number of ladies drawn in the picture is so minimal, only to portray that the ladies are not involved in any way, the business world back in the 12th century. I guess that’s the greatness of this painting — such great details drawn.
The QingMing festival back then is not only about visiting and cleaning the tombstones of the ancestors. It’s also a day where businesses flows in with people actively trading with the area (there were camels in the picture — to portray that business around there is not just from around that area. it comes from the place of the desert as well!).
I still don’t know much about this painting. But I most definitely feel honored and lucky to be able to experience the sight of this painting. It was cool. Way cool. Oh, one more thing. Aside from this painting, there are many more, which blew me away in some ways.
I got some souvenirs back from visiting this exhibition. It is still very much well-kept by me. 
mini scroll of the painting
the book with brief description of all the paintings
For more info on this painting, click here. Or you can read from the mini scroll I’ve got. It has the story of the whole painting. Click here to read about the press release for this event (I am aware of the outdated-ness of this information).
Okie, better head to bed. I’ve got another round of QingMing tomorrow.
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