Giant Buddha Gets a $30-Million Face Lift
CHINA
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A team of engineers has begun a $30-million, 60-day cleaning and restoration project of the world’s largest Buddha image, the official New China News Agency reported.
The 233-foot Leshan Buddha, carved into a cliff in Sichuan province, had been eroding rapidly because of wind and acid rain. Its face is discolored and parts of the statue have broken off.
The experts are cleaning the 1,280-year-old statue’s body and filling in cracks. They will also install a system to drain rainwater.
Acid rain is a major problem in much of China due to heavy reliance on coal-burning power plants.
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