Located in Hebi, Henan Province, a Buddha statue carved into a cliff face on Dapi Mountain has a history spanning over 1,700 years.
Recently, a comprehensive restoration project for the statue and related stone carvings officially began. The stone Buddha, standing just over 22 meters tall, was carved directly into the mountainside with its head level on the cliff top. It is recognized as the earliest cliff-face Buddha statue in China and the largest of its type in northern China. The restoration project is expected to take three years. The previous major restoration of the 1700-year-old Buddha statue was in 1445, during the Ming Dynasty.
Zhang Junjie, Director of Restoration Project for the Cliff Face Buddha Statue on Dapi Mountain "The stone Buddha is part of a large-scale grotto construction project. The purpose of our restoration is to preserve its current condition to the maximum extent possible. By adjusting the micro-environment and enhancing its preservation stability, we hope to extend its lifespan by hundreds or even thousands of years."
Zhang Yinbo, Director of Cultural Relics Section, Culture and Tourism Bureau in Xun County, Hebi City, Henan Province "In recent years, due to natural forces and human activities, the stone Buddha has developed various forms of deterioration, including surface weathering, powdering, hollowing, and particularly water seepage, which has caused the most severe damage to the main structure. We will strictly follow the restoration plan to meticulously organize and execute the conservation work, ensuring the Buddha's authentic historical appearance is preserved while restoring it to its original state."
(Source: CGTV and Xinhua)
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