Today, visitors can appreciate the ancient wonder from platforms built on the cliff, or take a boat ride to have a better view of the ancient murals as a whole from the river.

The murals in scarlet stand out atop the emerald mountains, and from a distance they look like the cliffs are sporting mystical tattoos. From up close the numerous thickly dotted figures are a treat to the eye. Experts say, they look like the depiction of a ceremony or a religious ritual of ancient times.

The city museum of Chongzuo, 46 kilometers away from the cliff, provides detailed information about the cliff murals and the ancient Luoyue culture. In some primitive villages near the river, locals still conduct rituals related to the rock art and the virgin forests.

Li Ziyu in Guilin contributed to this story.

liyang@chinadaily.com.cn