Tibetan communities see massive improvement in life quality

陈小将

In the rugged mountains of Songde village in Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province, nearly 800 residents from 167 families spread across nine valleys by the Duke River, at an altitude of about 3,150 meters, are experiencing a remarkable transformation.

These Tibetan communities, renowned for their breathtaking natural beauty — towering mountains, meandering rivers, and serene valleys — have long struggled with inadequate infrastructure, particularly poor road conditions.

Before 2016, villagers relied on dirt roads for travel. Lo Ping, the head of the village, recalled the challenges: "When we needed to go out, we usually walked or rode bicycles. On sunny days, we'd be covered in dust; on rainy days, we'd be covered in mud." The situation worsened from October to May, when icy conditions made travel treacherous.

According to local official Li Yonglei, the average annual income per person in the village was about 6,000 yuan ($830) prior to 2016.

The first major improvement came in 2016 with the construction of a gravel road, which allowed some vehicles to access the area. The breakthrough came in 2019 with the completion of a 4.2-kilometer paved road connecting the village to National Highway G227. This road has opened up a gateway to the broader world for the villagers.

This road extends up the mountain from National Road G227. It is about 4 meters wide, with a paved surface and a designated bike lane to accommodate the increasing number of cyclists who have become tourists in recent years.

The impact of the new road has been profound. Travel time to the center of Rangtang county, the closest county center, has been reduced to about 30 minutes, encouraging more villagers to seek employment outside their home areas. Many have invested in motorcycles, tractors, and even cars.