China’s oldest Buddhist statue, which is on the brink of collapse, is about to get a $10.8 million facelift.
The 1,459-year-old Meng Mountain Buddha in northern Taiyuan city will be repaired and restored after coal mines operating caused damage. The mines were closed in 2007 to protect the stone statue.
The report said local authorities hope to develop tourism in the area centered on the Buddha now that the mines have closed.
Washington Post reports the money will go toward stabilizing the statue and surrounding cliff to stop it from collapsing.