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Yungang Grottoes (China)

Document type
Decision
Reference number
X.A
Date
Dec 11, 2001
Source
UNEP, InforMEA
Status
Active
Subject
Wild species & ecosystems
Treaty
Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Nov 23, 1972)
Meeting
25e session du Comité
Website
whc.unesco.org
Abstract

Property: Yungang Grottoes

Id. N°: 1039

State Party: China

Criteria: C (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

The Committee inscribed the Yungang Grottoes on the World Heritage List under criteria (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv):

Criterion (i): The assemblage of statuary of the Yungang Grottoes is a masterpiece of early Chinese Buddhist cave art.

Criterion (ii): The Yungang cave art represent the successful fusion of Buddhist religious symbolic art from south and central Asia with Chinese cultural traditions, starting in the 5th century CE under Imperial auspices.

Criterion (iii): The power and endurance of Buddhist belief in China are vividly illustrated by the Yungang grottoes.

Criterion (iv): The Buddhist tradition of religious cave art achieved its first major impact at Yungang, where it developed its own distinct character and artistic power.

The Committee encouraged the State Party to continue the maintenance efforts and management planning for the site.