China Protects Ancient GrottoesTo protect the site of the world' s largest imperial grottoes, the Longmen Grottoes, Central China's Henan Province has decided to dismantle more than 300 surrounding modern buildings that offended to the eye.This will cost the local government 100 million yuan (12 million US Dollars). Luoyang City have also planned to resettle the nearby Longmen Village to make way for the Longmen Grottoes in order to return the ancient site its original surrounding. The village will be taken place by lawns and archaized architecture. Located in Luoyang City of Henan, the Longmen Grottoes, scattered along a one-kilometer cliff, were first excavated during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). Some 2,000 grottoes and 100, 000 stone Buddhist sculptures still exist today. China is applying for the Longmen Grottoes to be inscribed by the World Heritage List under the sponsorship of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Longmen Grottoes, a museum of religion, arts, architecture, calligraphy, music, fashion, and medication carved into mountains, is reappearing its glamour as the largest imperial grottoes in the world. The grottoes have long been a symbol and pride of Luoyang City with a history of over 4,000 years. Luoyang City will also rebuild a road with an investment of 70-odd million yuan (8.4 million US dollars) to reduce tremor and dirt caused by vehicles that affect the Grottoes. |
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