An exhibition of Chinese mural art — presented for the first time overseas at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris — allowed visitors to directly experience the beauty of ancient Chinese thought, art and religion.

The Yongle Palace exhibition showcases mural art, color exploration, digital restoration, reproduction of costumes and the display of cultural and creative artifacts.

The palace, located in Ruicheng county of Yuncheng, Shanxi province, was built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). It was designated a national key cultural heritage conservation unit in 1961.

"The exhibition also provides a platform for dialogue in the field of cultural heritage conservation for China, France and international communities," said Wang Ying, deputy representative to UNESCO for China. "It promotes better understanding and cooperation between countries in a multicultural context."

The Yongle Palace mural art, an ancient treasure from the 13th and 14th centuries, is considered an artistic masterpiece. The exquisite murals also have significant reference value for the study of Chinese religious culture and ceremonial systems. They have inspired the creation of some literary and artistic works in recent years.

"We used high technology for replication and display, so that every visitor can experience the unique charm of these murals up close and resonate with art enthusiasts worldwide," said Xi Jiulong, director of the Yongle Palace Mural Protection and Research Institute in Shanxi. "The exhibition serves as an important opportunity to promote international cultural exchange and cooperation."

Cheng Kun, CEO of Beijing Culture Pieces Development Co, the organizer of the event, highlighted the fusion of classical culture and modern technology in the exhibition, which showcases the infusion of modern vitality into traditional culture.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. It is China-France Cultural Tourism Year.