Beijing: The scenic area of Mount Everest, known locally as Mount Qomolangma, in the Tibet Autonomous Region has reopened to the public after a temporary closure following a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in January.
The quake, which struck Dingri County on January 7, claimed 126 lives and injured 188 others. Dingri is home to the northern base camp of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak.
Although the earthquake prompted the immediate closure of the scenic area for safety reasons, experts confirmed that the region suffered no significant geological impacts such as icefalls, avalanches, or terrain shifts.
Ma Weiqiang, director of the Mount Qomolangma Atmosphere and Environment Comprehensive Observation and Research Station, assured that the area now meets the safety conditions required for reopening.
In preparation for the reopening, a joint inspection team conducted thorough evaluations of key locations in the region over 35 days, beginning January 22.
Pasang, a local maintenance worker, emphasized the importance of the comprehensive inspections in ensuring tourist safety.
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Local businesses are also ready to welcome visitors. “All 35 rooms have been cleaned, and half are already booked,” said Tsering Geden, a hotel owner in Pasum Village.
In 2022, the Mount Everest scenic area attracted over 547,600 domestic and international tourists, marking an 18% increase from the previous year.
Among these, 13,700 visitors came from abroad, including countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, and France, generating USD 15.3 million in revenue.
Known as Mount Qomolangma in Tibetan, Mount Everest straddles the border between China and Nepal.
The two nations settled their boundary dispute in 1961, with the border running through the summit of the iconic peak.
