Lin Feng's ink paintings mostly reveal the lives and culture of Chinese ethnic groups. Photo provided to China Daily

"It requires a lot of study and watching people closely to paint figures well," he says.

During his 50-year stay in the region, Lin has visited valleys, snow-capped mountains, grasslands and places off the beaten track. He made friends with the local people and was invited to stay with them.

"I was born in Fujian, but Xinjiang is the place that cultivated my soul and inspired me to never stop painting."

If you go

9 am-5 pm, through June 1. National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Street, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6400-1476.