Students practice restoring Yuan Dynasty mural details at Shanxi University

More than 20 international students from Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Yemen, and other countries participated in an immersive mural restoration workshop on Friday at Shanxi University in Taiyuan, Shanxi province.

The workshop centered on the Yongle Palace murals, a pinnacle of Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) art. The participants practiced restoring a detailed close-up of the hand of the White Tiger Deity from the massive Chaoyuan Tu (The Assembly of the Gods).

"The course was structured around coloring, outlining, antiquing, and mounting," said instructor Lan Fang. "We hope such practical classes can bring mural art to a broader audience."

Using specialized brushes, the students meticulously traced contours, experimented with mixing traditional pigments, and worked to recreate the texture and hues of historical artifacts.

"This form of mural is not found in my hometown," said Ahmed Muhannad Abduljalil Abdullah, a 21-year-old student from Yemen. "The class was incredibly interesting."

He found color-mixing to be the most challenging part. "It seemed simple with just three colors, but achieving the ideal shade really tests your skill."

Meechai Chanitsara, a student from Thailand who had previously visited the Yongle Palace, expressed awe: "The murals are not only grand in scale but also breathtaking in detail. After trying the restoration myself today, I better appreciate the immense patience and perseverance this work demands. The craftsmanship of ancient artisans is truly admirable."

According to Liu Xiaohui, a teacher from the School of International Education and Exchange at Shanxi University, the college has offered an Understanding Contemporary China course for international students since September 2023.

"Using Shanxi's practices in energy transition, sci-tech innovation, and cultural heritage protection as case studies, the courses employ immersive teaching, seminars, and field visits to help international students gain a deeper understanding of China," said Liu.

Ding Yi and Lyu Peipei contributed to this story.