Zhang Zeduan painted the Song-dynasty handscroll Along the River During the Qingming Festival. The work is associated with the Northern Song period and is one of the best-known paintings in Chinese art.
The long handscroll presents a continuously unfolding urban and rural panorama. As viewers move from right to left, they see countryside, transport routes, river traffic, streets, shops, bridges, entertainers, workers, and officials. The painting is especially admired for its detailed observation of social life and built environments.
Its title links the scene to Qingming, a spring festival associated with tomb sweeping and seasonal outings. Scholars debate exactly which city or moment the painting depicts, although it is commonly connected with the Northern Song capital, Bianjing, modern Kaifeng.
Many later copies and adaptations exist, so the original should not be confused with reproductions. The original is held by the Palace Museum in Beijing, where it is treated as a major national cultural treasure.