Xuankou Middle School earthquake site

The site was left as is, untouched, and some of the teachers and students who perished are forever buried beneath the ruins. The once shocking earthquake remains have gradually been covered by green grass and trees, blending seamlessly into nature. However, the scattered remains of broken walls and ruins serve as a constant reminder of the tragic past for future generations.

To protect the ruins, portions of the building were supported with reinforced concrete to preserve its original earthquake-resistant appearance. Of the original five-story men's dormitory, only four remain. The first floor has completely collapsed into the ground, and the walls are riddled with cross-shaped cracks, typical of earthquake-damaged buildings. It's said that a boy in the dormitory felt the quake and instinctively rushed to the bottom, but the first floor of the dormitory sank deep into the ground, where he died. If he had chosen to run upwards, he might have had a chance of survival.

The corridor connecting the two teaching buildings survived the collapse due to its zigzag structure, leaving its overall framework largely intact and serving as a safe escape route for teachers and students. As the highest point of the earthquake site, the five-star red flag flying on the roof stands out against the predominantly gray and black tones, evoking a sense of warmth.

The tour guides at Xuankou Middle School are all survivors of the earthquake. At the entrance, we heard a female tour guide recount how she ran out with her daughter on her back during the earthquake. A lifeboat was docked on the Aba side of the river. Her only hope was to get her daughter out. She said she was one of the first people aboard. She recounted many of the events of that time, and we felt incredibly overwhelmed, with indescribable emotions. She choked up several times as she spoke. The driving assistant told us that May 12th is an everlasting pain in the hearts of the people of Wenchuan. Sometimes you see an elderly grandmother sitting in a doorway; she might be the sole survivor of her family. The tour guide explained that the earthquake knocked all the buildings around them backwards, completely destroying the stairwells and corridors, preventing many people from escaping. My explanation was simple, but the tour guide's description was so moving that it felt like a real-life experience. Everyone listened in silence, some even tearing up. The tour guide explained that the people of Yingxiu live happily every day because they've experienced life and death, and that living in the present is important. They also told their children to study hard, leave the mountains, and see the world. We had lunch near Xuankou Middle School. A woman on the bus mentioned the famous Zha Zha Noodles there, and since she hadn't checked in yet, she brought us along. The noodles were quite delicious. Since we don't like spicy food, we ordered the non-spicy version, but it looked like it would be quite good even with the spicy version.

Ruins of Xuankou Middle School: In the Wenchuan earthquake, Yingxiu Town was the most severely damaged in Wenchuan, among which Xuankou Middle School was the first to be hit and suffered the most severe losses.

When I arrived at the earthquake site of Xuankou Middle School in Yingxiu Town, I couldn't stop crying before I even went in.



Here, time is forever frozen at 2:28 p.m. on May 12, 2008.



The 8.0 magnitude Wenchuan earthquake was equivalent to 25 atomic bombs being dropped simultaneously. Although I have seen this scene countless times on TV and the Internet, when I was actually standing here, I realized that empathy is sometimes a false proposition. How can you empathize if you have never experienced it?? ! !



The tour guide we invited was also a survivor who was rescued that year. She was lucky and she and her one-year-old daughter were saved.



Being close to the scene, I felt the fear and grief. During the explanation, I burst into tears several times and couldn't control myself.



The entire building sank, and the original five-story building sank to four floors, with the two corners of the first floor being squeezed out of the ground.



All the roads collapsed. The first unit of the Chengdu Military Region took 12 hours to climb over mountains and ridges and brave the aftershocks to come to the rescue.



To this day, there are still more than a dozen children buried forever in the basement of the school building. With the consent of their parents, we have given up on rescuing them, so that they can preserve a complete and beautiful image of their children in their hearts. It hurts so much!!!

Thirteen years later, in June, we arrived in Yingxiu, Wenchuan. After post-disaster reconstruction, the ruins had been restored to an idyllic new scene. The town's uniformly planned houses were beautifully constructed, and walking along the clean, tidy streets lined with shops, it was hard to imagine the despair the people there once felt. Locals now settled into their new homes, leading orderly lives like everyone else, smiling, busy and peaceful, seemingly peaceful and tranquil. Yet, every time they passed the remains of the Xuankou Middle School earthquake site on one side of the town, they couldn't help but recall the devastating 2008 disaster.

On May 12, 2008, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province. Several strong aftershocks followed in the following days. Yingxiu Town was the epicenter and the hardest hit area. The devastating scenes I witnessed on television that year left a deep impression on me, so when I visited Wenchuan this time, I was eager to visit the earthquake site. The most intact site still extant in Yingxiu Town is the Xuankou Middle School ruins of the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan. This site, preserved as it was in commemoration of the Wenchuan earthquake, remains intact. It's said that the remains of 19 students and two teachers remain buried beneath the rubble of the main teaching building. Honestly, it's hard to describe the feeling I had while visiting the site; it felt indescribably depressing. Only after exiting the gates of the Xuankou Middle School ruins did I finally recover and truly appreciate the beauty of life.

The Wenchuan earthquake was a great disaster. Even after so many years, we will never forget it.

The power of nature should not be underestimated. Cherish the people around you.

Entering the ruins, I looked at the hill behind the red flag sculpture. After investigation, it was found that there was no landslide. So a large pit was dug there, and a layer of victims was placed there, and then a layer of lime was spread. The victims were buried there. So sad!

When we arrived at the ruins of Xuankou Middle School, the first thing we saw was the broken clock, forever frozen in time. Contrary to our imagination, Xuankou Middle School was so well-built back then, yet it still couldn't withstand the earthquake's ruthless destruction. An uncle told me there are still eight bodies buried there. I imagine that if the earthquake hadn't happened, they would all be living their own lives and dreams just like us.

Thanks to nationwide aid, the area has been completely renovated after the earthquake. The remains of the Xuankou Middle School earthquake site have been preserved, and a memorial hall has been built. With the arrival of tourists from around the country, the area has become a scenic spot.

Standing in front of the severely deformed ruins, it is hard to imagine how panicked and helpless the teachers and children were when the earth was shaking.

I started my trip from Chengdu, took the subway to Xipu Station, and then transferred to the high-speed train to Dujiangyan. I originally planned to take a taxi directly from Dujiangyan to Yingxiu (about 70 RMB, not including tolls). However, the driver said the road was under construction and I would have to take a detour, which would cost over 200 RMB. In the end, I was grateful to the driver who gave me a ride to Yingxiu via a minivan (15 RMB). It was truly an easy journey.

Today, the faces of the people of Yingxiu are filled with smiles, but they will never forget the disaster, and neither can we. Nineteen remains remain buried beneath the ruins of Xuankou Middle School, even though the grass and trees have grown green among the ruins. Remembering this is to move forward better. Those who have experienced the separation of life and death must live bravely. Those who have lived a happy life must continue to live happily. Being alive is the greatest good in the universe; living happily is the greatest blessing to oneself.

Feel the helplessness and frustration that natural disasters bring us.

Wenchuan City, located on the way from the tourist attraction Jiuzhaigou to Chengdu, suffered severe damage in the 2008 earthquake. The epicenter of the quake was Yingxiu Town, which was largely destroyed, with only a few buildings remaining. Among them, the collapsed building of Xuankou Middle School has been preserved as an earthquake relic for visitors to visit.

This is probably the most worthwhile place to visit in Yingxiu Town. There's no entrance fee, and parking is on the hill across the road, with dedicated staff directing you to park. However, on the way down the hill after parking, and even on your way back to the parking lot, children will stare at you and ask you to buy flowers. This pattern of consumer disaster is truly distasteful. Xuankou Middle School isn't large. Upon entering, you'll first see a memorial square where a massive clock sculpture shattered to the ground, its hands stopped at 2:28 PM. Turning inside, you'll see nothing but rubble and debris left from the earthquake, a stark contrast to the demolition sites we often see. Imagine the building crumbling like a building block, with the fifth floor literally becoming the ground floor. What about the people on the first, second, third, and fourth floors? Could they have escaped? I can't even imagine. Walking along the plank path, you can see classroom desks, blackboards, hanging lights, and exposed steel bars in beams. The more realistic, the more brutal. Today, there's no longer the sound of students reading aloud; only moss and creepers grow unchecked.

Thank you to the government for preserving this site and opening it to the public. We should all have the opportunity to visit and pay our respects.

It was shocking to watch. The earthquake was so powerful, and you can only imagine how difficult it was for people back then. I couldn't calm down for a long time on the way out of Yingxiu.

There are many local tour guides here. We didn't hire one, but we listened for a while.

Xuankou Middle School was built in 2006 and was said to have the best earthquake resistance index at the time. Therefore, it only existed for two years before the earthquake. Today, Xuankou Middle School is in ruins.

I used to learn about earthquakes through the news, but arriving at the earthquake site was truly horrifying. Seeing the ruined school building and hearing locals explain how many children were buried in the rubble brought tears to my eyes. Through the broken windows, I could see green plants growing on the tilted, shattered floors of the classrooms. The entire site is slowly being covered in vegetation, and hopefully, over time, it will heal the trauma of the local people. Life is so fragile in the face of nature.

Visiting the Xuankou Middle School earthquake site, I was struck by the horrific ruins of the school after the earthquake. It was a heartbreaking experience. I can't even begin to describe what the children went through back then. The more fragile life is, the stronger it is. There are so many touching stories in the face of life. Fortunately, things are getting better in Wenchuan these days.

The tour guide talked as we walked, bringing us to the Xuankou Middle School earthquake site. We listened to her recount the heart-wrenching and touching events that took place that year...

You can feel the scene when the disaster struck, and mourn the victims of the May 12th earthquake with a heavy heart.

If you have not been to Wenchuan, you will never know the destructive power of an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. I visited the most representative site of Xuankou Middle School and walked around it. I felt heavy-hearted.

It's been almost 10 years since the Wenchuan earthquake, and Yingxiu is now remarkably well-developed. Xuankou Middle School, a relatively well-preserved earthquake site from that devastating disaster, has become a landmark building at the epicenter of the "5.12" Wenchuan earthquake, a witness to that devastating event. We were delighted along the way, and upon entering the middle school, we were struck by the powerful visual impact, allowing us to directly experience the power of nature.

As the only relatively intact building preserved from the 5.12 disaster, the ruins of Xuankou Middle School has become a landmark building at the epicenter of the Wenchuan earthquake and one of the witnesses of that devastating earthquake. However, time flies, and the small trees next to the collapsed teaching building have grown vigorously, forming a sharp contrast with them. This probably also symbolizes the tenacity and perseverance of the Yingxiu people.

The tenth anniversary will be unforgettable. I went to school in Chengdu in 2008 and came back to visit after 18 years to pay my last respects!

2008 was a year of countless stories: despair, sorrow, glory, and brilliance. This special year was destined to change China's history and is indelibly etched in the minds of every Chinese.



That year, 46 million compatriots were displaced.

That year, 370,000 compatriots were injured and disabled.

That year, 85,000 compatriots were killed or missing.

If these were just numbers,



That year, that day, and that moment, Xuankou Middle School, where more than 1,000 children studied, became like this forever.

It's really hard to bear. I hope there will be no disasters in the world. It still hurts when I think about it now.

As soon as we got off the bus, we were greeted by a bustling crowd of people selling all sorts of small goods. Walking further inside, it was even more crowded, with all sorts of snacks, making it feel like middle school after school. Stepping into the school ruins, the collapsed buildings were still there. The tour guide explained that beneath one of the dormitories, a pregnant teacher, her sister, who had come to visit her that day and was also pregnant, and their mother were still buried there. Looking at that building, a sudden wave of sadness washed over me, though I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I circled the school, feeling the destructive force of the earthquake. As we exited, Sister Jing and I were still talking about how this should be a quiet place for everyone to reminisce about that time, not the current practice of profiting from the suffering of others. The local government should regulate this area, not turn a place that needs remembrance after a disaster into a bustling city.

In Yingxiu, the remains of Xuankou Middle School, preserved after the earthquake, immerse ourselves in the devastation of the earthquake. The earth was riddled with holes, and homes and lives were destroyed. This tragedy brought untold suffering to the people of Yingxiu. All we can do now is to come here and pay tribute to the deceased. Every purchase we make here helps the people of Yingxiu rebuild their homes.

Upon entering the middle school, a cracked clock lay on the steps. This clock, modeled after one in the school, had been frozen in time at the moment of the tragedy when the earthquake struck. The entire campus was in ruins. While the teaching buildings still stood, the five-story dormitories were gone. Atop the crumbling roofs, red flags still fluttered, symbolizing the resilience of the people of Wenchuan. The structures had been reinforced with steel to prevent collapse. The five-story lecture halls had collapsed and were stacked together. We left with heavy hearts, praying that such a tragedy would never happen again.

It's a heartbreaking place. When we visited there, we were all heavy-hearted and spoke in hushed voices. There was a tour group whose guide, while introducing the site to the group, practically cried, saying, "There are still many students buried there!" I couldn't help myself, and I turned away, wiping away my tears.

It's so sad. All the school buildings have been surrounded. Everyone is here quietly visiting. There is a booth for taking pictures. Sigh~

It is impossible to describe this place with its scenery, characteristics, and services. This is a sad place with a tragic history. The "5.12" incident will forever remain in these ruins.

As the only relatively intact building preserved in that disaster, the ruins of Xuankou Middle School has become a landmark building at the epicenter of the "5.12" Wenchuan earthquake and a witness to that earthquake. People will visit it when passing by.

Many years have passed since the Wenchuan earthquake. Today, the ruins of Xuankou Middle School have been preserved, becoming one of the witnesses of that devastating earthquake. Therefore, we must cherish the present and live every day to the fullest.

Those who have experienced this will want to cry standing here. Those who have not experienced it, such as the children today, I think they will not understand it very well.

Time froze at 2:28 PM on May 12, 2008. The main teaching building, once a circle, stood in the background, forever frozen in the moment of the earthquake. The guide nearby explained that aftershocks have been frequent in Wenchuan since the earthquake, loosening the soil. We felt an aftershock the night before our arrival. We wonder if this aftershock was related to the mudslide the following day. The devastation wrought by the earthquake shook the hearts of every visitor. May the deceased rest in peace, and may all be well.

I don’t dare to look at too many exhibition boards about the earthquake, for fear that the more I look, the more uncomfortable I will feel.

I see that the town is well built, with few people and the transportation is not very convenient.

Back to the moment of the 5.12 earthquake in 2008, time seemed to stop...

That afternoon in 2008, I was in a meeting and didn't feel anything. It wasn't until afterward that I learned that the earthquake had claimed so many lives and brought the Chinese people together. Visiting this place, I can imagine the enormity of that moment.



I remember that evening, after watching Premier Wen's speech, I couldn't contain my excitement. For the first time in my life, I took the initiative to donate money to a charity. It was a very willing act.



This place should not be visited as a tourist attraction, but as a remembrance.



The disaster did not defeat the people here, and Yingxiu, after its rebirth, remains as beautiful as ever. After visiting the earthquake site, everyone felt a little heavy in their hearts.

I was very happy along the way, except when I arrived at Xuankou Middle School in Yingxiu, Wenchuan. My heart skipped a beat and tears welled up in my eyes. My wife said I had a fragile heart [heartbroken]. It reminded me of that day, May 12, 2008.

The dead are gone, the living are like this [rose][love]

The traces of the May 12 earthquake are deeply left here, and you can directly feel the power of nature. Entering the middle school brings a strong visual impact.

The ruins of Xuankou Middle School, as the only relatively intact large-scale ruins and the landmark building at the epicenter of the earthquake, seem to have lifted the veil of mystery and strangeness, allowing you to re-examine the disaster and its rebirth after the disaster.

If you're passing by, be sure to stop and take a look—no entrance fee required. After a tour, you'll definitely gain a new understanding of the meaning of life. It's a truly soul-stirring attraction. If you can, definitely find a local guide to help you truly experience the preciousness and transience of life.

I also felt the shaking during the recent earthquake in Taiwan. Earthquakes are truly terrifying. I can only imagine the scene at school at that time – how terrifying it was.

Walking into the earthquake site of Xuankou Middle School, the scene is shocking, and we can see the destructive power of the 5.12 earthquake.

No tickets are required. I felt very heavy when visiting. I could imagine the tragic scene of the earthquake and mourned deeply for the victims.

This is a place of remembrance, not just a tourist attraction. Within the ruins, flowers and plants flourish, and the ruins still stand. Sunlight seems to be unable to penetrate every corner, so every step must be taken quietly. Don't disturb that tranquility and peace. Without loss, it's hard to appreciate the happiness we have and be grateful for the future... Humanity remains vulnerable before nature. Conquering nature? Nature has never been conquered; it's only our self-righteousness and ego that have become the issue...

Many years have passed since the Wenchuan earthquake. The vestiges of the earthquake are no longer visible in Yingxiu. Only the remains of Xuankou Middle School remain. Because the ruins were left as they were, some of the students who died are buried forever beneath the rubble. Seeing the collapsed buildings and broken walls is heartbreaking. There's a saying that beautifully captures the remains of this devastating disaster: "A memorial for the forgotten."

Looking back at the earthquake, it is still shocking. Cherish your beautiful life! Treasure your life.

I believe the most familiar scene to everyone is the clock facing the main entrance of the middle school. The ruins are now open to the public free of charge.

The Xuankou Middle School earthquake site is located in Yingxiu Town, Wenchuan County. Before the earthquake, it served as a middle school for both Xuankou and Yingxiu towns. Due to the devastation caused by the earthquake, it was reduced to ruins. After the original buildings were reinforced and opened to the public, most of the site has been preserved to its original state to the greatest extent possible, allowing visitors to clearly understand the devastation of the earthquake. Several memorial structures have been constructed after the earthquake, including entrance signs, address timelines, and other items. Visitors can hire a guide for a detailed explanation or visit on their own. You can also leave flowers during your visit. As someone who experienced the 5.12 earthquake, recalling it with some fear is a good experience. Visiting the hardest-hit area and learning about that period of history is a rewarding experience.

Walking through the school gate, the first thing I saw was a memorial dial, the time forever frozen at 2:28 p.m., and the pain of memory slowly washed over me. The campus, once filled with the sounds of students reading and laughing, is now in ruins. People came to pay their respects at the monument, holding chrysanthemums, bowed deeply, and left silently... Starting from the right side of the square, what came into view were buildings with severely cracked walls, sunken, misaligned, twisted, and collapsed. Although a lot of weeds have grown around them, these collapsed teaching buildings, dormitories, and laboratory buildings always look like they did at the time of the earthquake. A building with only a frame left is considered the highest point of the ruins, and a bright national flag still flutters in the wind... Seeing this made me feel a little choked up and speechless...

This is right across from the Earthquake Museum, which was completely destroyed by the earthquake. Walking along the designated route, looking at the empty classrooms, I felt a sense of weightiness. Across from it is a museum documenting the history of the earthquake and the rescue efforts of the 512 Incident. Around the area, you can still see ongoing reconstruction, some of which feels like an ancient town. Blessings!

In the devastating earthquake of May 12, 2008, Xuankou Middle School suffered severe damage, and dozens of teachers, students, and family members of staff lost their lives. Today, this site serves as one of the core attractions of the Yingxiu "5.12" Epicenter Memorial Scenic Area, showcasing the earthquake's devastating power. In front of the collapsed building, a clock stands, forever frozen in time at the moment of the earthquake. Visitors to the site observed a moment of silence in front of the square, wishing the deceased peace and strength to the living. Walking around the ruins of Xuankou Middle School, I felt a deep sense of sadness.

This site is incredibly well-preserved, and seeing it is truly heart-shaking. Imagine the students and teachers hugging each other as they escaped the earthquake. Natural disasters can be life-threatening! This is a fantastic educational base.

I originally thought the Xuankou Middle School site in Yingxiu would be relatively unpopular, but despite the light rain, it was still packed with people, including many tour groups. It's become a tourist attraction, which is hard to say for sure, but it certainly has a positive impact on earthquake education. However, I've seen people taking photos of the ruins of Xuankou Middle School, like they were taking in the scenery, pretending they were there, but I find that inappropriate. I'd rather walk quietly, since the remains of some teachers and students are still buried there and haven't been exhumed.

I visited this place with a sad heart. If you have time and take this route, you must come to Yingxiu to find a tour guide and help them!

Upon entering the ruins of Xuankou Middle School, the first thing that caught my eye was a large commemorative dial. The hour and minute hands clearly intersected to show the time of the earthquake: 2:28 PM, May 12, 2008. The shocking scene of shattered mountains and rivers washed over me. Time stood still here, etched in the hearts of everyone who passed by, leaving all the memories and pain vividly palpable. We made a brief stop at the ruins of Xuankou Middle School in Yingxiu. My heart remained heavy, as if I had witnessed the earth-shaking scene. I felt a strong sense of the devastation of the earthquake: the staggered collapse of floors, the landslide... Among the ruins, children and teachers still lay buried. My trip to Wenchuan—a truly soul-cleansing journey! Shocking, moving, filled with gratitude and cherishment.

Except for the main gate, the interior is in ruins. Only one floor of the five-story dormitory remains, filled with children! Time is forever frozen at 2:28 PM on May 12, 2008.

It has become a site for people to visit.

Actually, the middle school suffered the least damage, while the other buildings were reduced to ash... Only a flagpole remained of the elementary school.

The bodies of the murdered students and teachers are still buried underneath

When I reach this place, I feel inexplicably sad! May the deceased rest in peace! The sound of reading aloud not far away gives me new hope!

Walking into the Dukou Middle School earthquake site, I was greeted by the five-star red flag fluttering in the wind. Looking at the rubble and broken tiles, time seemed to freeze again at the moment of the May 12, 2008 earthquake. I feel a heavy heart, hoping that such disasters can be avoided, or even prevented, in the future. We must learn the profound lessons learned through blood and tears. Strive to live each day to the fullest.

The construction of Xinyingxiu Town is quite good. The brand new buildings make me, a visitor from other places, feel that life is full of hope and happiness.

Xuankou Middle School in Yingxiu Town has preserved the earthquake ruins for everyone to visit.

Yingxiu Town in Wenchuan was the epicenter of the Wenchuan earthquake. A school collapsed instantly in the face of the disaster, and steel and concrete buried countless young boys and girls who had not yet fully understood the world. They died at the age of blooming flowers. It was sad and lamentable. The ruins left behind can only be admired by future generations, warning those who are still alive to cherish life and cherish the present.

In the afternoon, I passed through Wenchuan County and visited the 5.12 earthquake site in Yingxiu Town. I was shocked and sad...

As I walked, I felt sad. Youyou felt the same as me, so I decided not to look anymore and turned back.

I was there myself, and when the person next to me said that, I felt sad. There were so many students sitting there, how could I bear to look at them like scenery?

The earthquake ruins of Yingxiu Xuankou Middle School, which collapsed in the earthquake, are now being developed into a tourist attraction. It feels strange... The roads are also very congested...

When seeing all this, life is so fragile. We must live well. May the deceased rest in peace!

My first feeling when I went there was shock. Now that I have studied earthquake resistance engineering, when I see those X-shaped cracks again, I hope I can learn earthquake resistance well in the future!

The various deformations of buildings produced during the earthquake can be found at the site of Xuankou Middle School, so it is preserved as a memorial site for the "5.12" earthquake relics.