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Buddhist grottoes to be restored in NW China

Xinhua, July 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

Caves severely damaged by natural erosion at Maijishan Grottoes in northwest China's Gansu Province are to be restored, according to local authorities.

The Maijishan Grottoes, or Wheat Stack Hill, are a 1,500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of almost 200 caves and more than 10,000 Buddhist sculptures.

"Restoration of the six caves will be completed in November," said Yue Yongqiang, deputy director of the preservation division of Maijishan Grottoes art institute.

Due to natural humidity and erosion, cracks have appeared on some caves and some sculptures and murals are in a state of decay, said Yue.

The restoration will cost 3.3 million yuan (about 500,000 U.S. dollars).

"Around 60 percent of caves at Maijishan are in need of restoration. Since 2000, we have restored 17 caves, roughly one cave each year. Work on these caves will be accelerated," Yue added.

Maijishan Grottoes is one of China's four largest Buddhist cave complexes, along with Mogao, Yungang and Longmen grottoes in Gansu, Shanxi and Henan provinces. Endi