Report: Sichuan quake sites to open to tourists

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — Sections of streets, schools and bridges destroyed during last year's massive earthquake in southwestern China will soon be open to tourists, state media said Saturday.

Ruins from the May 12 quake centered in Sichuan province that left almost 90,000 people dead or missing have become a draw for visitors, especially during national holidays, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

"There is a huge tourism market in the ruins," Wu Mian, deputy director of the Sichuan provincial tourism department, was quoted as saying.

"We cannot block the tourists out," he said. "We also hope the tourists watch their behavior and not hurt the quake survivors' feelings."



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