Chongqing - On July 31, the "Exhibition on the Mural Art of the Yongle Palace" officially opened on the 72nd floor of Raffles City, Chongqing. Spanning eight thematic sections—from "Echoes of History: Yongle Palace" to "Digital Rebirth: AI Restoration"—the exhibition comprehensively unpacks the essence of Yuan Dynasty mural art. Diplomats, scholars, and residents experienced this immersive dialogue across civilizations.

July 31, the "Exhibition on the Mural Art of the Yongle Palace" opening ceremony on the 72nd floor of Raffles City, Chongqing. (Photo/Deng Nan)

Technology Revives Dormant Hues

At the heart of the exhibition stands the monumental Yuan-era masterpiece, The Chaoyuan Murals, which depicts over 300 deities in a majestic ritual. It took over a century to complete and capture Taoism's grand assembly of immortals paying homage to Yuanshi Tianzun (Primordial Celestial Worthy). Mineral pigments like gold foil, realgar, ochre, cinnabar, and malachite retain their luminous vibrancy after seven centuries, while the unique raised gilding technique (lifen tiejin) makes drapery patterns gleam like starlight. The exhibition pioneers AI restoration technology, accurately reconstructing the murals' original color spectrum in the "Digital Rebirth: AI Restoration" section. For the first time, the "Ba-Yu Dialogue: Ming Dynasty Ritual Paintings" unit juxtaposes Shanxi's Yongle Palace murals with rare Ming Dynasty water-and-land ritual paintings from Chongqing, highlighting interconnected cultural threads along the Yangtze River. "When algorithms recreate weathered brushstrokes, we witness the harmony of tradition and modernity," said Yu Min, Magistrate of Ruicheng County, at the opening ceremony.

At the heart of the exhibition is the monumental Yuan-era masterpiece The Chaoyuan Murals, which depict over 300 deities in a majestic ritual. (Photo/Deng Nan)

Craftsmanship Weaves Cultural Bonds

A 24-meter-long paper-cut rendition of the Chaoyuan Murals drew crowds. Master paper-cutting artist Li Yinzhu spent 14 years meticulously recreating the mural: "Using this intangible cultural heritage craft to present Yongle Palace's art—every detail was cut by my small scissors. We've already showcased it in four countries." This artistic journey captivated UNESCO headquarters in Paris in October 2024, where its AI restoration technology sparked discussions among over 80 Chinese and French scholars.

Li Yinzhu introduces her works to tourists. (Photo/Deng Nan)

Valentin Touris, Consul General of Uruguay in Chongqing, remarked: "This is a very nice and amazing event. I really like coming here. I think this exhibition will be very successful in any country of the world, including Uruguay." Curator Deng Liangjun revealed plans: "In 2026, we will bring Yongle Palace Murals and Dazu Rock Carvings to Hong Kong, building more bridges for civilizational exchange."

Valentin Touris, Consul General of Uruguay in Chongqing, stopped before a mural to admire it. (Photo/Deng Nan)

Youth Energizes Tradition

Two Hanfu-clad visitors became an instant attraction. Zhong Linhong and Li Shuying learned about the exhibition details online: "We thought wearing Hanfu would make us blend in better with the ambiance. We did our own makeup and came. Many people took photos with us." Zhong added, "China's traditional culture manifests uniquely in every province. For instance, Chongqing's Dazu Rock Carvings are iconic masterpieces. As Chinese, we should proactively learn about and promote this heritage."

Zhong Linhong and Li Shuying came to the exhibition wearing Hanfu. (Photo/Deng Nan)

Lu Kai, Project Manager of Chongqing Raffles City, stated: "As an international cultural platform, we collaborate with over ten consulates, including Hungary, Switzerland, Uruguay, and Italy. This exhibition continues that tradition, using Chinese art to open a window into our culture for global audiences. We remain committed to fostering diverse cultural exchanges, showcasing Chongqing's openness and innovation."

Li Yinzhu spent 14 years creating the paper-cut version of the Chaoyuan Murals. (Photo/Deng Nan)

The exhibition, which fuses technology, craftsmanship, and global perspectives, runs through August 28 and demonstrates the creative inheritance of Chinese civilization in the contemporary era.

Other exhibits at the exhibition on the Mural Art of the Yongle Palace. (Photo/Deng Nan)