Our deepest condolences and thought go out to victims of a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that hit Qinghai Province, just north of Tibet yesterday, April 14, 2010.

Like most of the rural areas in China, the buildings in the quake-devastated region in Qinghai Province are not-at-all quake proof. Over 700 people died and more than 10,000 were injured in the earthquake.

The epicenter of the earthquake is near the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu (where a large number of Tibetan ethnic minorities inhabit). in southern Qinghai, just north of Tibet Many people were still buried under the debris of collapsed houses in the Gyegu Town near the epicenter.

Chinese central government is calling out rescue effort from all over the country. Let’s hope these strong people pull out from this disaster soon.

Travel to Tibet in the next couple weeks is expected to experience delays. Travellers are advised to arrive the airport/train station early and tune in for updates of the road condition, train/flight schedule.