Beijing, March 1: China reopened the popular scenic area surrounding Mount Everest—locally known as Mount Qomolangma—in Tibet Autonomous Region on Saturday. The reopening follows a closure prompted by safety concerns after a powerful earthquake struck the region in early January.
The area was initially closed on January 7 after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Dingri, the town that hosts the northern base camp of Mount Qomolangma, resulting in 126 fatalities and injuries to 188 people.
Mount Everest, or Mount Qomolangma as it is called in the Tibetan language, forms a natural border between China and Nepal. Both nations settled their border differences back in 1961, marking the international boundary along the summit of this world-famous peak.
Comprehensive Safety Checks Ensure Safe Conditions for Visitors
Despite the earthquake's devastating impact on the region, extensive inspections confirmed the mountain area remained stable. Ma Weiqiang, Director of the Mount Qomolangma Atmosphere and Environment Comprehensive Observation and Research Station under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, explained, "The Mount Everest scenic area was unaffected by the quake. We observed no significant ice falls, avalanches, or geological alterations."A joint inspection team formed by local authorities undertook a rigorous safety review process beginning January 22. The detailed inspection, lasting 35 days, examined critical infrastructure and popular sites to guarantee safe conditions for visitors.
Pasang, a local maintenance worker involved in the process, emphasized, "Only through comprehensive inspections could we ensure the safety of tourists when the scenic area reopened."
Local Hospitality Businesses Ready for Visitors
With the area's reopening, local hotels and hospitality services have already resumed operations. Tsering Geden, who runs a hotel in Pasum Village, noted enthusiastic responses from tourists, stating, "All 35 rooms have been cleaned, and half are already booked."The reopening signals a hopeful recovery for the region's tourism-dependent economy.
Rising Tourist Numbers Boost Economic Recovery
In the previous year, Mount Everest’s scenic area attracted more than 547,600 tourists, marking an 18 percent increase compared to the prior year. Overseas tourists numbering 13,700, predominantly from Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, and France, contributed significantly to the region’s tourism revenue of USD 15.3 million, according to official reports.The reopening is expected to boost regional tourism and aid the ongoing recovery following the devastating January earthquake.
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