Tuesday marks the seventh anniversary of the Wenchuan earthquake, which hit Wenchuan in Southwest China's Sichuan province on May 12, 2008.

It is heartbreaking to remember the magnitude 8 earthquake that claimed more than 80,000 lives and traumatized hundreds of thousands who survived.

But at the same time it is heartwarming and inspiring to see the new towns that have sprung up in places that were flattened by the earthquake and the better quality of life the survivors now enjoy.

Seven-year-old Li Yangyang stands in front of her damaged house after the deadly earthquake in Anyang county, Mianyang city of Southwest China's Sichuan province, May 14, 2008. [Photo/IC]

Li Yangyang, 12, stands in front of her new home on May 1, 2013. [Photo/IC]