An exhibition featuring paintings and photographs of Taishan Mountain opens on Aug 25 in Dezhou, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

An exhibition featuring paintings and photographs of Taishan Mountain opened on Aug 25 in Dezhou, East China's Shandong province, bringing together 36 paintings by renowned contemporary Chinese artist Yan Jiakuan and 60 photographs by photographer Wang Dequan.

The paintings capture a rich array of the mountain's natural and cultural landmarks, including the summit, Nantian Gate, Jade Emperor Peak, Caishi Creek, Dai Temple and ancient cliff inscriptions. 

An exhibition featuring paintings and photographs of Taishan Mountain opens on Aug 25 in Dezhou, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

An exhibition featuring paintings and photographs of Taishan Mountain opened on Aug 25 in Dezhou, East China's Shandong province, bringing together 36 paintings by renowned contemporary Chinese artist Yan Jiakuan and 60 photographs by photographer Wang Dequan.

The paintings capture a rich array of the mountain's natural and cultural landmarks, including the summit, Nantian Gate, Jade Emperor Peak, Caishi Creek, Dai Temple and ancient cliff inscriptions. 

A visitor admires the lifelike cliff inscriptions of Taishan Mountain depicted in a painting by Yan Jiakuan. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Wang's photographs offer another perspective on the mountain. Over more than three decades, he has captured Taishan Mountain's changing landscapes, cultural heritage and everyday life, from its famed sunrises, sunsets and clouds to ancient architecture, cliff inscriptions and the sight of porters making their way up the mountain.

Wang, in his 60s and a native of Tai'an, Shandong, has accumulated about 300,000 original images and more than 20,000 valuable reversal films since he began photographing Taishan Mountain in 1990. He said many of the scenes recorded in his early photographs have changed with the passage of time, giving the images lasting historical value.

A visitor takes a photo of a Taishan Mountain photograph by Wang Dequan. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

"Photography captures the truth of a moment, while painting seeks to convey the enduring spirit of a scene," said Hou Heliang, vice-chairman of the World Chinese Photography Federation and honorary chairman of the Shandong Photographers Association. He described the exhibition as an opportunity for dialogue between different forms of art, with Taishan Mountain serving as a shared subject.

Visitors admire photographs of Taishan Mountain by Wang Dequan. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Taishan Mountain, one of China's Five Great Mountains, is a symbol of ancient Chinese civilizations and beliefs. It has long been a source of inspiration for Chinese artists and scholars. Through painting and photography, the exhibition offers audiences new ways to appreciate the mountain's natural beauty, cultural heritage and enduring spirit.

Wang Dequan (left) and Yan Jiakuan pose for a photo in front of a large-scale painting of Taishan Mountain during the exhibition. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]