Painter's passion helps villagers realize their dreams on rural canvases

ZHENGZHOU — A photo of a group of elderly villagers beaming with joy in front of the Tian'anmen Rostrum, their faces radiating with a warm sense of excitement, recently went viral online.

A closer look reveals a heartwarming scene: the "Rostrum" is actually a meticulously painted mural in Wuying village, Shangqiu city, Central China's Henan province. The artwork was created to fulfill the lifelong dreams of local seniors who had never visited the iconic site in China's capital.

The mural's completion marked a festive day for the village. Elderly residents dressed in their finest attire as if celebrating a major holiday, with some overcome by emotion and shedding tears of joy.

"With this paintbrush, I would like to take my fellow villagers to places they haven't been to," says 39-year-old Wu Chengyan.

Wu inherited his love of painting from his father, but it was in 2023 that inspiration really struck, and he painted a landscape for his wife's grandfather in Zhaolou village. That moment gave Wu an idea: why not create art for the seniors in his hometown?

At the beginning of 2025, inspired by the popularity of the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, he created over 10 murals based on the movie, which earned the nickname "Ne Zha Village".

These murals quickly became tourist attractions, drawing visitors from far and wide. Villagers soon set up a market, giving the village's economy a big boost.

On Dec 18, Wu began his masterpiece on an 18-meter-wide, eight-meter-tall white wall, where villagers often hang out. He worked hard over five days, putting in eight hours each day to bring the majestic Tian'anmen Rostrum to life.

"My hand trembled while painting the national emblem," Wu recalls. "It is the symbol of our country."