Going Up the River at Qingming Festival Time

painting by Zhang Zeduan

Also known as: “Ch’ing-ming shang-ho t’u”

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June 29, 2026

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"Going Up the River at Qingming Festival Time" is a renowned scroll painting by Zhang Zeduan from the Song dynasty. This artwork offers a remarkably detailed and realistic depiction of urban life along the Bian River in the capital city of Bianjing (modern-day Kaifeng) during the Qingming Festival.1

The painting captures a bustling scene with a wide array of activities, including bustling markets, crowded streets, boats on the river, and various social strata of people. It serves as an invaluable historical document, providing insights into the architecture, economy, and daily life of 12th-century China. The meticulous detail and vibrant portrayal make it a masterpiece of Chinese art and a significant historical record.1

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Chinese architecture
The Song (960–1279), Liao (907–1125), and Jin (1115–1234) dynasties
…a remarkably realistic hand scroll, Going up the River at Qingming Festival Time, painted by the 12th-century court artist Zhang Zeduan (whether painted before or after the sacking is uncertain). From contemporary accounts, Bianjing was a city of towers, the tallest being a pagoda 110 metres (360 feet) high, built…
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…a remarkably realistic hand scroll, Going up the River at Qingming Festival Time, painted by the 12th-century court artist Zhang Zeduan (whether painted before or after the sacking is uncertain). From contemporary accounts, Bianjing was a city of towers, the tallest being a pagoda 110 metres (360 feet) high, built…
Read More