壁画 (bì huà) literally means 'wall painting' — 壁 (bì) means 'wall' or 'cliff', and 画 (huà) means 'painting' or 'picture'. Together, they refer to a large-scale artwork painted or applied directly onto a wall, ceiling, or other permanent surface. Murals are commonly found in temples, caves, palaces, public buildings, and modern urban spaces — from ancient Dunhuang Buddhist cave paintings to contemporary street art.

Unlike portable paintings on paper or silk, murals are site-specific and often created for decorative, religious, historical, or social purposes. They may be made using fresco, tempera, mosaic, or spray paint techniques. In Chinese cultural contexts, traditional murals frequently depict mythological figures, historical scenes, landscapes, or auspicious animals like dragons and phoenixes — blending artistic expression with storytelling and spiritual meaning.