The first memorial park to the 87,000 dead and missing from China's May 12 earthquake opened on Wednesday in the southwestern Sichuan Province.

People attend the opening ceremony of Donghekou Earthquake Relics Park in Qingchuan county of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 12, 2008. Donghekou Earthquake Relics Park, the first memorial park of Wenchuan Earthquake, opend to the public on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhong Min)

Many landforms resulting from the earthquake can be found in the park, such as landslides, cracks, faults and folds.

Thousands of survivors from Qingchuan and elsewhere attended the opening ceremony on Wednesday morning to pay their respects.

A girl who survived the May 12 earthquake grieves for her classmates and teachers who died in Wenchuan Earthquake in the Donghekou Earthquake Relics Park in Qingchuan county of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 12, 2008. Donghekou Earthquake Relics Park, the first memorial park of Wenchuan Earthquake, opend to the public on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhong Min)

Donghekou Village was completely buried under landslides, with more than 780 people dead.

Another huge rock in the park was painted with a red large Chinese character for "xie" (Thanks), and villager He Xianmei was seen cleaning the rock with a white towel on Wednesday morning.

"The xie character expresses our great gratitude to everyone who helped us. No dirt should be seen on it," he said.

"It also tells us survivors to care for each other and live well in the rest of our lives."

A girl presents flowers for the victims in the May 12 Wenchuan earthquake in Donghekou Earthquake Relics Park in Qingchuan county of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 12, 2008. Donghekou Earthquake Relics Park, the first memorial park of Wenchuan Earthquake, opend to the public on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhong Min)