A researcher's never ending quest for Longmen

Updated: 2015-08-19

For many, it would be unimaginable to work in the same unit for more than a dozen of years without going in for a change in job. But for Lu, it has been different. During these years he has definitely established an inseparable attachment with Longmen.

Browsing the books about grottoes, walking into the grottoes in Longmen busy observing and recording, have grown into an indispensable part of his daily life, feels Lu.

A researcher's never ending quest for Longmen

Lu cleans unearthed relics at an excavation site in Longmen Grottoes. [Photo/Longmen Grottoes on WeChat]

Lu had also travelled around every bit of the land enclosed within the 31.7-sq-km scenic area of the grottoes, to gain precise knowledge on the type and number of cultural relics that lie in the area. One hundred and forty cultural relic spots have been found so far, which provide significant reference for the overall planning and construction of the area.

"It is my pride as well as my duty to do in-depth research and unearth the profound cultural connotations of the grottoes and bring to light the stories that lie behind the caves and statues," the researcher adds confidently.