Sixty years ago, the Chinese mainland's Xizang Autonomous Region was a land of harsh silence: over 90% of people lived in poverty, and the average life expectancy hovered at just 35.5 years. Today, a vibrant transformation unfolds on the plateau. 🚆🌄
Roads Where Pack Animals Roamed
Back then, winding trails carved by herders and yaks were the only way across snowy passes. Now, modern highways, rail lines, and airports connect remote valleys to bustling cities. It's like a real-life network upgrade – imagine swapping a 2G signal for 5G overnight! 📱✨
Tea, Life, and Butter Tea
They used to say 'tea cost more than life.' Water had to be carried miles, and a cup of tea was a luxury. Today, the air bubbles with laughter as families stir pots of aromatic butter tea in cozy homes. 🥛🍵
Voices of Change
Tsomo, 78, recalls carrying salt blocks on her back. 'I walked for days just to trade a handful of barley,' she remembers. Now, her granddaughter studies online courses in her cozy village school. And Tsering, once a nomad, now sells high-quality cashmere sweaters online, earning more in a month than his father did in a year.
Beating the Odds
With healthcare improvements, life expectancy has soared. New clinics and telemedicine services bring doctors to remote spots via video calls. Children who once dreamed of a different life are now reaching for the stars – literally, as astronomical observatories rise above the clouds. 🌌🔭
The Xizang story is more than numbers and infrastructure – it's about hope, resilience, and the authentic heartbeat of a land reborn. As twilight settles over snow-capped peaks, butter tea warms every cup, and the promise of tomorrow shines as bright as the Himalayan sun. 🌟
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
