Silk Road: Artists’ Rendezvous – Art Across Borders

Launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, Silk Road: Artists’ Rendezvous is a major international cultural exchange initiative. Over the years, it has invited more than 500 outstanding artists from over 100 countries to China for artistic exploration, creation and cultural exchange.

In October 2026, during the Fourth Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, 25 renowned artists from 14 countries, including Kazakhstan, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Malta, Australia, New Zealand and Nepal, participated in Silk Road: Artists’ Rendezvous – Renowned Artists Co-creating Picturesque Zhejiang, embarking on a journey of artistic discovery and cross-cultural dialogue.

From the 5,000-year-old Liangzhu civilization to the misty landscapes of West Lake, from everyday life along the historic Grand Canal to the vibrant commercial city of Yiwu, the artists explored Zhejiang's rich cultural heritage and contemporary vitality. Through museum visits, hands-on experiences with intangible cultural heritage and traditional Wu Opera performances, they discovered new perspectives on China's history, traditions and modern development. These experiences became a source of inspiration for their artistic creations.

Drawing on their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic perspectives, the artists expressed their impressions through oil painting, watercolour, rubbing techniques and other creative media. The resulting exhibition features more than 40 original themed artworks, alongside sketches, painted fans and umbrellas created during the journey. A collaborative calligraphy scroll featuring multiple languages, jointly completed by all 25 artists, further reflects the exchange and integration of different cultures.

In a series of interviews, the artists shared their interpretations of China's landscapes and Eastern culture, explained the ideas behind their works and reflected on the inspiration gained through cross-cultural encounters. Their personal stories offer unique perspectives on contemporary China.

The exhibition is now open to the public, with the physical exhibition running until 31 October 2026. An online exhibition is also available to audiences worldwide.

Explore the online exhibition:

Silk Road: Artists’ Rendezvous – Online Exhibition