Eroding Yungang Grottoes taking remedy

Taiyuan (CNS) -- The Yungang Grottoes in Datong, north China's Shanxi Province, have been suffering from weathering and rainfall erosion in recent years.

By 2013, part of this important piece of world heritage will be going through a protracted period of consolidation and construction; the focus is No.3 grotto and the Wuhua Cave which includes grottoes No.9 to 13.

Yan Hongbing, head of the cultural relic renovation research group, told CNS on Wednesday that rosewood will be imported from South Africa to build eaves for the Wuhua Cave.

The key to the renovation work lies ultimately in solutions to rain and weather damage, Yan explained. He acknowledged the inconvenience to visitors and pledged to improve efficiency.