A touring exhibition of Chinese art kicked off in Milan on Thursday, acquainting an enthusiastic audience with works of contemporary artists in China.

As part of a series of events for the ongoing Chinese Culture Year in Italy, the exhibition showcases masterworks of three renowned Chinese artists.

Themed on traditional houses and ancient royal buildings in China, the works of Li Yaolin captured the Italian public with their rich cultural connotations.

"Art is a universal language capable of speaking to everyone in the world at a deep level, therefore it is an excellent bridge to enhance cross-cultural friendship and understanding," Li told Xinhua.

China and Italy both have a long history. It is not surprising that they have much to exchange and learn from each other in terms of culture and art, he added.

One theme that would certainly echo in the Italian audience is the importance of water as a bridge to civilization, widely featured in Yao Jianbo's set of oil paintings "Dream Water," whose title and subjects of rivers, lakes and waterside towns remind viewers of Italy's Venice.

"Although I have never been to China, I can feel a deep sense of proximity simply in looking at these paintings. Their atmosphere conveys a familiar feeling of calmness, as if China was my second home," said a journalist, Alberto.

"The harmonious colors and lines of Chinese water and mountain landscapes as well as their contrasting hues drive me inside the complex spirits and wisdom of such a huge nation. They brim with visual energy telling at a glance China's vastness," he added, referring to Zhong Jikun's paintings.

The three artists' works were displayed in a renowned Chinese restaurant in Milan.

"I came here to have a taste of Chinese cuisine and I found a taste of genuine Chinese art as well," said a customer, Tiziana, while having lunch in the restaurant with her colleagues.

"To Italians art is food and food is art, so I like the feeling of eating inside an extemporary exhibition hall," she said, adding that hosting art exhibitions inside restaurants could be an innovative idea to bring more people close to art.

The exhibition will move to Venice and Rome in the next few days.