Shan shui

Shan shui is a type of Chinese painting that shows mountains and rivers. Imagine that you are looking at a picture of a beautiful mountain and river scene - this is what shan shui looks like!

The word shan means "mountain" and the word shui means "water". So, shan shui paintings are paintings of mountains and water.

Shan shui paintings are usually made with ink and watercolors on silk or paper. The artists try to make the mountains and rivers look very realistic, like you could reach out and touch them. They use different shades of ink and paint to make the mountains look like they are far away or closer up.

Sometimes you might see a tiny person or an animal in the scene, like a bird or a fish. The artists add these to show how big and powerful the mountains and rivers are compared to everything else.

Shan shui paintings have been made in China for a very long time - thousands of years! People have always loved looking at beautiful scenery and shan shui paintings show off some of the most beautiful scenery in China.