Qomolangma visitors restricted, but it won't affect mountain views

The ban on ordinary tourists entering the core zone of Qomolangma National Nature Reserve will not stop them from enjoying a full view of the mountain, as travelers can still reach Rongpo Monastery, a pilgrimage site 2 kilometers from the Qomolangma base camp, according to authorities in the Tibet autonomous region.

The reserve's 10,312-square-km core zone, home to one of the world's most vulnerable ecosystems, will continue to be open to mountaineers with climbing permits.

The region's Dingri county banned ordinary travelers in December from going to base camp, which lies at an altitude of 5,200 meters in the core area, for reasons of environmental protection.