Global Silk Route Research Alliance logo: a flowing cyan-to-blue wave

Global Silk Route Research Alliance

全球丝绸之路研究联盟

Independent Think Tank · Geopolitics · Belt & Road · Eurasia

LATEST

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

By News Desk 24 min read

Source Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes
China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Wang Yanqing (L), a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, conducts an archaeological investigation at the grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Sun Lina, a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, dusts a cultural relic of the grottoes at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

A tourist selects cultural and creative products at a shop near Yungang Grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Actors dressed in costume interact with tourists at Yungang Grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025.

Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Tourists visit Yungang Grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Tourists visit Yungang Grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

An Yongfang (L) and Wei Songlin, staff members of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, prepare for a study tour activity at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Zhang Fan, a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, dissolves the sample of the grottoes wall at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Li Pengfei, a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, restores porcelain of the grottoes at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Pan Bo (R), a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, collects data at the grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Huang Yifan (L), a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, collects data at the grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Dai Yuxiang, a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, restores a mural of the grottoes at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Wang Na, a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, displays a 3D-printed Buddha statue at an exhibition hall of the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Children visit Yungang Grottoes under the guidance of their teachers in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Wang Yanqing (L) and Ma Junyu, staff members of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, conduct an archaeological investigation at the grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

A staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes restores ironware of the grottoes at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Zhang Fan, a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, analyzes the sample of the grottoes wall at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Zhang Fan, a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, weighs the sample of the grottoes wall at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

A staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes conducts an archaeological investigation at the grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

A staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes restores broken porcelain of the grottoes at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Dai Yuxiang, a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, chooses tools to restore a mural of the grottoes at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Dai Yuxiang, a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, restores a mural of the grottoes at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Liu Quanyi, a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, restores porcelain of the grottoes at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Tourists visit Yungang Grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Sun Lina, a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, restores ironware of the grottoes at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

An aerial drone photo shows a panoramic view of Yungang Grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

This photo shows 3D-printed Buddha statues at an exhibition hall of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

Wang Chao (L), a staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes, collects data at the grottoes in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 16, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

China’s Shanxi makes great efforts to protect and study Yungang Grottoes

A staff member of the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes dusts a cultural relic of the grottoes at the institute in Datong, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 15, 2025. Yungang Grottoes was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art and represents the highest level of sculptural artistry in the world during the 5th century.

In recent years, Shanxi has made great efforts to protect and study the grottoes. In 2021, the research institute of the Yungang Grottoes was established for the protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes.

Since 2003, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has started the digitization of its 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues that are threatened by weathering. Cutting-edge technology has been used to record details of the Buddhist artworks, paving the way for their 3D digital reconstruction.

At present, the Yungang Grottoes scenic area has upgraded tourist facilities and offers various educational programs, receiving 4.44 million trips in 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

Reference Link:- https://english.news.cn/20250423/75cf48433ab044a7a2e68e92262724f9/c.html

Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan
Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan Founder & Chair, Global Silk Route Research Alliance

Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…

Get GSRRA analysis by email

One email a week: the pieces readers returned to most, plus the chairman’s own analysis.

Memberships & Partners · 伙伴联盟