A photo preserved by Qu Yinhua's family shows Qu and his team member Wang Fuzhou and Gongbu at the Mount Everest in 1960. [Photo: Beijing News]

China's first climber reaching the top of the world Mount Everest died at 81 of lung disease last week.

Qu Yinhua, who was born in 1935 in Sichuan Province, ascended Mount Everest on May 25, 1960. He is also the first person in the world to reach the world's top from the north side of the Himalaya Mountains.

Before becoming a professional climber in 1958, Qu was a lumberjack. His wife Yang Junying said Qu was a good candidate due to his exceptional arm strength developed as a result of working in the lumber industry.

The honorary credential Qu Yinhua received after successfully ascending the Mount Everest in 1960. [Photo: Beijing News]

In 1960, a team of 214 people reached the base camp with tons of equipment, food and fuel. Due to the hostile climate at the high altitude, many team members were frostbitten and some were died. Only three young climbers, Qu Yinhua, Wang Fuzhou and Gongbu finally reached the peak of Mount Everest.

Due to severe frostbite, Qu Yinhua lost all ten toes and one finger. Since the climb, both Qu Yinhua and Wang Fuzhou have suffered from lung disease.