What's on

Faces of history

Classical portraits preserve the details of history and the evolution of social trends. More than 130 pieces from the collection of the National Museum of China are on show in Portraiture From the Ming and Qing (1368-1911) Dynasties, an exhibition until March 30 at Shenzhen Museum in Guangdong province.

The paintings depict emperors and empresses, members of the aristocracy and high-ranking court officials along with banquets attended by intellectuals who would compose poems, paint and chant. They also offer a glimpse into the intimate aspects of women of well-connected families. A major transformation from Ming to Qing works is apparent as Qing artists attempted figurative techniques and the chiaroscuro of Western oil painting introduced by European missionaries.

10 am-6 pm, closed on Mondays.4001 Jintian Lu, Futian district, Shenzhen, Guangdong province.0755-8812-5550.

Traces in nature

Ancient Chinese perceptions of the relationship between humans and nature are vividly presented in landscape paintings. Between the ranges of mountains, along the rivers and streams, under trees and surrounded by plants are travelers, or hermits, accompanied by visiting friends who chat, appreciate the scenery, play board games and drink.

The depiction of these small figures in the expanses of a landscape animates the composition and directs the viewers' eyes to appreciate the paintings.

Where to Find the Traces is an exhibition at the Anhui Art Museum in Hefei, Anhui province, that dwells on the philosophical views of the classical landscape paintings in the collection of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. The exhibition was curated and first shown at the CAFA Art Museum last year.

The paintings lend viewers the perspective of the figures within the landscapes, from the faraway hilltops covered with snow to the forests and springs, into a feeling of being part of nature.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 1 Chengdu Lu, Hefei, Anhui province.0551-6280-6800.

Great views

The Five Great Mountains of China — Taishan in Shandong province, Huashan in Shaanxi province, Hengshan in Hunan province, Hengshan in Shanxi province and Songshan in Henan province — command thrilling views that have inspired artists and writers to create works hailing the landscapes and embodying the spirit of heroism and perseverance.

The Great Beauty of Five Great Mountains is an ongoing exhibition at the National Art Museum of China that displays works of artists of several generations depicting the distinctive views of these peaks, the dense clouds, strange rock formations and extraordinary pine trees on the mountains. It runs until April 8.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6400-6326.