A changing situation

However, to preserve or clean the quake ruins has become a pending question in Yingxiu Township, the epicenter of the quake, in Wenchuan County.

"We also hope to make the ruins a memorial. But unlike Beichuan, we rebuilt the township in its original site," said Liu Wei, deputy head of Wenchuan.

Ruins in the densely-populated areas would cast a shadow over the lives of nearby residents, Liu said.

Paul Andreu, a world-renowned architect, held similar opinions.

The 73-year-old Frenchman, whose works involve China's National Centre for the Performing Arts, designed, at the invitation of the local government, an international center for academic exchanges on precautions to take against earthquakes and relief from disasters in Yingxiu Township.

The cruel scenes of the disaster won't offer positive influences to the survivors, he said in a letter written to the local government. He suggested gradually burying the ruins with soil.

As a matter of fact, the sorrowful atmosphere in the old town of Beichuan has begun fading. For example, some black-and-white banners and signs in the ruins have been replaced by blue-and white ones.

"We made the changes to create an atmosphere that is less depressed and more placid. It has been three years. We hope the bereaved people can leave their grief behind in the near future," Zhao said.