CCTV9英语新闻：Kanjing Temple of Longmen Grottoes opens to public（在线收听）

Central China's Henan Province is home to the World Cultural Heritage, the ancient Longmen Grottoes.  Visitors now have the chance to get closer to view stone statues in one cave, the Kanjing Temple. For more than half a century, they could only be viewed from a distance.

The Longmen Grottoes are an outstanding representation of Buddhist culture and art in ancient China. But for the past 63 years, they could only be viewed from outside, to protect the relics. 

Experts say the newly-opened cave Kanjing Temple was built by royal families or monks with royal backgrounds. 

The set of 29 life-sized arhat sculptures is the most complete and best preserved in China, dating back at least one thousand years.

Experts say the newly-opened cave Kanjing Temple was built by royal families or monks with royal backgrounds.

The cave has been equipped with protective glass,  and infrared cameras and other devices to monitor water, temperature and humidity. The number of visitors will be limited.  The goal is to allow the public to have a close look at ancient artifacts without damaging them.  And that's not all. 

"We have done three-dimensional scanning of all statues in more than 2000 caves, so we can produce a digital display of the restored images in 3-D. We plan to display the digital images so visitors can have a better experience and understanding of Longmen Grottoes," said Yu Ying, director of Longmen Grottoes Scenic Area Admin, Commission. 

Researchers say through opening Kanjing, they want the public to both better understand the value of the Grottoes, and the need to protect the cultural record of history.

The cave has been equipped with protective glass, and infrared cameras and other devices to monitor water, temperature and humidity.