Young Grotto Scholars to Gather in Chongqing’s Dazu District for Conservation Innovation

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CHONGQING, China, Nov. 27, 2025 — A gathering of young grotto researchers is scheduled to commence on November 29 in Chongqing’s Dazu District. This event, the 2025 international academic exchange, is part of the Asian Alliance for Cultural Heritage Conservation’s Youth Ambassador Program and will be held in the district that houses the UNESCO World Heritage site, Dazu Rock Carvings.

More than 100 young academics from over a dozen countries, including China, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, India, and the UK, will participate in discussions focusing on innovative strategies for preserving and passing on grotto temples. The aim is to collaboratively develop advanced concepts and practical solutions for the conservation of cultural heritage.

The event, featured in the outcome list of the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, is guided by the Asian Alliance for Cultural Heritage Conservation and the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development. It is co-organized by the China Academy of Cultural Heritage, the People’s Government of Dazu District, Chongqing, and the Academy of Dazu Rock Carvings.

The event will revolve around the themes of protection, inheritance, innovation, and symbiosis, emphasizing academic exchange, methodological innovation, cultural inheritance, regional cooperation, and global youth action. Participating scholars will engage in interdisciplinary dialogues on key topics such as international communication of Bashu grotto culture and the use of digital technologies in grotto conservation.

Digital technologies are facilitating a transition from traditional, experience-based grotto temple protection methods to more scientific and precise conservation approaches. The Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have been at the forefront of digital preservation efforts.

The site boasts high-precision digital archives with millimeter-level accuracy, along with a permanent 3D database encompassing over 10,000 statues. An intelligent monitoring system provides round-the-clock surveillance, and virtual restoration technologies enable accurate condition assessments via digital means. Furthermore, the Dazu Rock Carvings metaverse project recreates physical landscapes digitally, offering immersive experiences to a global audience.

This international academic exchange seeks to create a top-tier dialogue platform for young Asian scholars, injecting new energy into grotto temple conservation efforts.

Looking ahead, the Asian Alliance for Cultural Heritage Conservation Youth Ambassador Program will continue to foster international exchange and collaboration, cultivate young professionals in cultural heritage protection, and provide ongoing support for Asian cultural heritage preservation.

Source: The People’s Government of Dazu District, Chongqing

CONTACT: Contact person: Ms. Meng, Tel: 86-10-63074558

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