One of Liu Xiaobei's murals in Tangtou village of Zhoushan. [Photo/Tide News]

In Tangtou village, Putuo district, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, colorful murals have transformed the area's atmosphere, under the work of wall artist Liu Xiaobei.

Liu's artwork features sailboats, playful cats, and parked motorbikes along the coast, each painted with expressive detail.

"It's so lifelike!" said Weng Youzhang, a resident of Tangtou, as he watched Liu at work.

Meticulous in his craft, Liu often steps back to assess the composition before leaning into perfect fine lines — every stroke is deliberate.

To capture the village's essence, Liu explored every corner, observing daily life for inspiration. Some nights, residents would spot him painting late under a streetlamp. "The buildings here have character, and the winding coastline feels like a natural painting," Liu said.

His murals have not only beautified Tangtou but also gone viral, drawing national attention through short videos. Under Liu's brush, the village's once-hidden charm is now on full display.

As the sun sets and golden light outlines his latest work, Liu packs up his tools, ready to continue painting the stories of this once-quiet fishing village.