A special gallery is unveiled at Huixianlou Skyview of Chongqing World Financial Centre (WFC) in Yuzhong District, Chongqing. Here, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Chongqing, admire traditional Chinese paintings and cultural creations themed on the story of old Chongqing, listen to the story of the gallery owner's hometown Chongqing and experience the unique cultural glamour of this 8D magic mountain city.

The gallery owner is Zhu Wenxin, a famous painter of the Bayu School in Chongqing. He hopes that the gallery will provide more visitors with an opportunity to appreciate the city's unique cultural charm while enjoying its modern outlook.

Zhu Wenxin, a famous painter of the Bayu School in Chongqing. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

To tell the story of old Chongqing

Born in Chongqing, Zhu Wenxin lived in a stilted building on Heping Road in Yuzhong District in his childhood. He started to learn traditional Chinese painting from a master at the age of eight and has released more than 200 paintings in news media. "I choose Chongqing as the theme of my paintings for two reasons. Firstly, I have lived in Chongqing since I was a child, so I know the local life very well. Secondly, I miss the days when neighbors were very close to each other, and I want to recreate those memories with paintings."

Zhu's paintings are full of elements of the old Chongqing. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Thus, scenes like stilted buildings and old roofs trees have become part of his works. The old Chongqing residents' custom of drying peppers on the roof is reproduced in the painting "Red Fortune on Top." "At that time, locals liked to dry peppers on the eaves and roofs. Neighbors also lived in harmony in those days. I want to record the history and culture of Chongqing in my works so that viewers can feel the warmth between old Chongqing neighbors compared to today's indifference."

While creating the series of "Stilted Buildings," Zhu Wenxin came up with the idea of creating the painting "Seventeen Gates of Chongqing." "I found that there were very few pictures and information about the city gates of Chongqing, so I had to look up the information and visit the elderly at the same time. Based on their descriptions, some folk songs, and other information collected, I applied my imagination to reproduce the gates of Chongqing in this painting." He feels gratified that the scroll painting "Seventeen Gates of Chongqing" unveils the former appearance of the 17 city gates of Chongqing.

Show city beauty at the highest building in Chongqing

Showing his works at Huixianlou Skyview is full of meaning for Zhu. Huixianlou Skyview is located at the highest point in Chongqing, where you can overlook the Yangtze River and Jialing River's confluence and the upper and lower half of Chongqing. Legions of tourists come here to appreciate Chongqing scenery and Zhu's works.

Ban Ki-moon, the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, collected Zhu's scroll painting "Chaotian Gate" when he visited the gallery. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

At the "Seventeen Gates of Chongqing exhibition," a group of optimistic old ladies danced joyfully there. Out-of-town tourists who visited the Huixianlou Skyview were attracted by Zhu's paintings and learned about the mysterious side of Chongqing. Children were reluctant to leave before Zhu's works and pestered their parents to listen to the stories of old Chongqing. Ban Ki-moon, the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, collected Zhu's scroll painting "Chaotian Gate" when he visited the gallery.

"As a Chongqing native, I have such a social responsibility to promote the image of Chongqing and reveal its culture through my works."