响堂山石窟

Xiangtangshan

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Address:	Xiangtangshan.
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History

Description

The artificial limestone caves of Xiangtangshan (or Xiang Tang Shan, pronounced "shahng-tahng-shahn", Mountain of Echoing Halls), were built during the 6th century, during the Northern Qi dynasty (550-577 AD). The caves are today only a shadow of their original beauty, because they were looted in the first half of the 20th century. The artworks were removed and sold on the international art market.

Xiangtangshan is the name of a series of caves. There are three sites called Nanxiangtang (南响堂), Beixiangtang (北响堂), and Xiaoxiangtang (小响堂).

Lately an exhibition was created by the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian. It is a series of 3D computer images, which are a reconstruction of the lost scupltures. The exhibition is actually a better way to see the caves than the original caves in China.