Step into Chang'an at Tang Dynasty mural art exhibition

“The Art of Murals: Unveiling the Splendor of the Tang Dynasty” features nearly 80 high-resolution reproductions of Tang Dynasty (618-907) murals, and 20 replicas of celebrated Tang paintings, pottery figures, gold, silver and porcelain artifacts.

Together, these displays reveal everyday life, customs, aesthetics, tastes and the artistic achievements of the Tang era.

Since few Tang palaces and temples have survived and original paintings on paper or silk are exceedingly rare, tomb murals provide a crucial window into Tang painting. The original murals are extremely sensitive to temperature, humidity and light, so high-quality reproductions let visitors appreciate the dynasty’s visual legacy without risking further damage to the originals.

The artistic accomplishment of Tang murals was exceptional, covering a wide range of themes: solemn Buddhist imagery, grand ceremonial processions, flowers, birds and auspicious beasts — all vividly conveying the grandeur of the period.

Many of the tomb murals collected by the Shaanxi History Museum were excavated from nearly 30 Tang tombs and are celebrated at home and abroad for their quantity, quality, comprehensive chronology and excellent state of preservation.

The exhibition, organized by Shenzhen Publishing Group in partnership with the Shaanxi History Museum, also offers immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences that let visitors virtually “enter” the murals: fly over the Tang capital Chang’an, explore bustling markets, watch a polo match, join imperial hunting parties on carriages, and experience the magnificence of the Tang world.

During the run of the exhibition, Shaanxi History Museum guides will lead tours explaining the historical stories, artistic value and cultural significance behind each mural. Visitors can also attend lectures and related activities to deepen their appreciation of Tang mural art and the era’s cultural glory.

Dates: Through Jan. 5, 2026

Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Exhibition tickets: 98 yuan (various concessions available)

VR tickets: 118-128 yuan per person, 208 yuan for two, 309 yuan for three

Venue: GBA Folk Art Museum, South Area, Eyes of the GBA, Bao’an District (宝安区“湾区之眼”南区湾区民俗馆)

Metro: Line 5 to Baohua Station (宝华站), Exit A1