Photo shows the Hailuogou Glacier Park in Luding county, Southwest China's Sichuan Province on August 27, 2022. The park was at the epicenter of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the province on Monday. Photo: VCG

A total of 216 tourists trapped inside the scenic area of Hailuogou Glacier Park, located at the epicenter of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Luding county in Southwest China's Sichuan Province on Monday, have been relocated to a safer place by rescuers, according to local authorities.

The only road to the scenic area was cleared Wednesday evening. 

The road has previously experienced a partial cave-in, causing hundred of visitors to be trapped inside the popular tourist spot for more than 50 hours.

Many netizens have been worried about the safety of the stuck tourists and scenic areas of Hailuogou. Local authorities have responded, saying that the tourists are safe and the glaciers in the scenic area were not affected by the earthquake.

Hailuogou Glacier Park in the Hailuogou Scenic Area is the only glacier forest park in China. 

Besides being the largest glacier in East Asia, it is also the region's lowest-altitude glacier, with its lowest point only 2,850 meters above sea level. 

Listed in China as a National Nature Reserve, National Geo-park and National Forest Park, the Hailuogou Glacier Park is a popular tourist destination for nature lovers. 

The place covers 350 hectares along the east slope of Mount Gongga, the highest mountain in Sichuan. 

And the glacier park is also one of the best places to admire the mountain peak, known locally as the "Gate to Shambhala." 

Apart from the glacier, the park is highly favored by visitors for its multi layered primitive forest of diverse verdant trees and gorgeous snow mountain peaks that glisten under the sun. 

Tourists can also enjoy soaking in glacier hot springs amongst ice and snow, and appreciate bright red rocks, alpine lakes, a sea of clouds, rare animals and other wonders of nature. 

Chinese netizens have been expressing their best wishes for the natural treasure house on social media platforms such as China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo.

Others expressed the hope that they can visit the glacier park as soon as possible to see its natural wonders for themselves.

Global Times