Yungang Grottoes saved for the nation and people to enjoy for years to come

Crowds of people admire a full-sized replica of Yungang's relics at a gallery in Shanghai earlier last year, which was made with 3D-printing technologies. XUAN LIN/FOR CHINA DAILY Experts and skilled workers applying scientific methods to protect treasure trove of Buddhist art Preserving a historical and cultural heritage site that was created more than 1,500 years ago would be a challenge in any country, but China has fulfilled the task in the case of the Yungang Grottoes in Shanxi province, thanks to the efforts of researchers in recent decades. "As a result, Yungang Grottoes has played a vitally important role among early Oriental Buddhist grottoes and had a far-reaching impact on Buddhist cave art in China and East Asia." "Yungang Grottoes Academy was launched on the basis of the former Datong Institution for the Preservation of Yungang Grottoes," said Zhang Zhuo, head of the academy. According to Zhang Zhuo, the Yungang Grottoes Academy has held online exhibitions for audiences from across the country and the world, allowing them to visit this world heritage site from their homes.