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After dynasties of carving and centuries of
worship and protection, the Longmen Grottoes in central China's Henan Province
has gained its unique reputation as a Buddhist site of the only empress in
Chinese history.
In the largest cave of Longmen Grottoes, the Fengxian Temple, which is 35
meters wide and 39 meters high, there is a statue called the Grand Vairocana
Buddha. Some historical records reveal that it was modeled after the face of
Empress Wu Zetian, the only empress in Chinese history, who gained popular
support by advocacy of Buddhism and reigned during the Tang Dynasty 1,309 years
ago. People also call it Empress Wu Zetian's Statue.
  
About 17.14 meters tall with the head 4 meters long and the ear 1.9 meters
wide each, the statue of Empress Wu is believed the most extraordinary
masterpiece of the Longmen Grottoes. According to historical records, Empress Wu
supported the construction of the statue with her own money and headed officials
to the Buddhist ceremony when it was completed.
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