Innovation helps restore ancient treasures

Carved into the cliffs of Wuzhou Mountain in the northwestern suburbs of Datong, Shanxi province, over 1,500 years ago, the Yungang Grottoes stand as a monumental testament to cultural exchanges between China and the Buddhist world. Added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 2001, the organization said in a document that the site has a universal value as it represents "the outstanding achievements of Buddhist cave art in China".

Today, it is not only preserved as a history book etched in rock but has also been revitalized through cutting-edge technology and innovative cultural initiatives. In recent years, local authorities have intensified efforts to protect and study the grottoes, elevating conservation standards and deepening research into their historical legacy.

Established in 2021, the Yungang Grottoes Academy spearheads these efforts, and follows to a conservation-first principle.