• China reopened the scenic area of Mt Everest, known as Mount Qomolangma, in the Tibet Autonomous Region after it was closed to the public following the January earthquake.

• The area was closed on January 7 after a 6.8-magnitude quake struck Dingri, home to the northern base camp of the world’s highest peak.

• The quake claimed 126 lives and left 188 others injured.

• The scenic area was closed on the same day for the safety of tourists and staff.

• In the Tibetan language, Mount Everest is known as Mount Qomolangma which forms the part of the border between China and Nepal.

• Mount Qomolangma reaches an altitude of more than 8,840 meters.

• Both countries settled their border dispute in 1961 with the boundary line passing through the summit of Mount Everest.

• The Mt Everest area had not been affected by the quake, with no obvious ice falls, avalanches or geological changes being observed.

• Last year, this area received more than 547,600 domestic and overseas tourists — an increase of 18 per cent year on year, including 13,700 overseas tourists, mainly from Singapore, Malaysia, Germany and France, earning $15.3 million in revenue.

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