Haiman decorative painting (haiman caihua) at Prince Kung's Palace creates an overwhelming visual effect. Unlike traditional architectural decorative painting limited to beams and lintels, haiman spreads across eaves, doors, windows, and entire architectural surfaces, transforming buildings into immersive works of art — man-made yet seemingly crafted by nature.
In the Hall of Blessings, yellow old bamboo and green young bamboo are painted together, echoing the real bamboo planted nearby and turning the hall into a part of the bamboo grove that evokes integrity and refined restraint.
A different vitality emerges from haiman decorative painting featuring wisteria vines at the Grand Theatre, where cascading wisteria vines climb pillars and blanket the ceiling, orderly and abundant, creating the illusion of watching a performance beneath a blooming trellis.
Reserved mainly for imperial gardens, haiman decorative painting reflects the pursuit of spatial unity during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), inviting visitors to step inside and momentarily merge with a poetic and elegant realm.
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