Part of Ming Dynasty painter Wu Bin's long scroll entitled Ten Views of a Fantastic Rock. [Photo provided to China Daily]

During the late Ming Dynasty, Zhu said, the Chinese were living in a turbulent society where there were acute social contradictions. As the rocks are firm and hard, intellectuals of the time would take stones as a showing of their perseverance.

Previously, part of the work was exhibited in the United States and Switzerland. This marks the first time the whole scroll is on display. The work will go up for auction at the 15th anniversary celebration of Beijing Poly Auction on Oct 16 to 20. A preview will be held through Oct 13 to 15.

The exhibition runs through Oct 8.