May 12 marks the sixth anniversary of the 8.0-magnitude Wenchuan Earthquake, which struck southwest China's Sichuan Province in 2008.

Many people mourned the dead once more as the day drew near. The quake left more than 80,000 people dead or missing.

Wenchuan, Qingchuan and Beichuan counties, which were severely damaged by the quake, have changed fundamentally since the beginning of reconstruction projects in the wake of the tragedy.

This photo, taken May 7, shows an aerial view of Wenchuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province (LI QIAOQIAO)

Yingxiu Township of Wenchuan County (LI QIAOQIAO)

Qingchuan County (LI QIAOQIAO)

A boy grieves for those killed by the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake in Beichuan County on May 11 (XUE YUBIN)

People visit the ruins left by the Wenchuan Earthquake in Beichuan County on May 11 (XUE YUBIN)

People visit the ruins left by the Wenchuan Earthquake in Beichuan County on May 11 (XUE YUBIN)