March 28th marks the 67th anniversary of the emancipation of millions of serfs in China's Xizang Autonomous Region. Across the region, vibrant celebrations are underway to honor history, give thanks, and look forward to continued progress. Feng Yilei reports.
In Shannan's Kesong Community, the first village to undergo democratic reform in the Xizang Autonomous Region, people unite in shared national pride and celebrate a new era of freedom with vibrant performances.
At the local museum, residents look back at a history that stands in stark contrast to the present.
Before 1959, this region was a feudal theocracy where 95 percent of the population were hereditary serfs.
Over the last decade, economic modernization has reshaped lives here with rising incomes, better public services, and longer average life expectancy.
The resilience of the people is on full display in Dingri County, Xigaze. Following a magnitude-6.8 earthquake in early 2025, disaster recovery was completed within a single year, allowing residents to celebrate in new, safe homes.
LUOBU Dingri County Resident "This year, I plan to expand my teahouse by adding more rooms to increase my income. I want to take my family's life to a whole new level."
Xizang's economy is hitting high gear.
Driven by new quality productive forces, the region has leaped across 100-billion-yuan GDP milestones, that's about 14-billion-US-dollars.
A powerhouse of nine key industries, ranging from clean energy and digital tech to modern logistics and aviation, are now the region's high-speed growth engine.
In Nyingchi, ecological protection efforts have turned its stunning peach blossom landscape into a goldmine for local families.
PUQIAO Resident Gala Village, Nyingchi "Last year, every family in our village earned nearly 13,000 US dollars from tourism alone. We want the world to see our blossoms—life here just keeps getting better."
Culture remains the heartbeat of Xizang's development.
As the first-ever Tibetan tap-dance drama debuted at the Central Opera House, it proves that traditional arts can flourish in the modern spotlight.
This year, authorities are aiming for a 20-percent jump in cultural industry output and a record-breaking 78 million visitors.
LI CHUANZHOU Director, Industry Development Division, Xizang Department of Culture and Tourism "We focus on the all-round integrated development of culture, tourism and sports, continuously promote consumption, develop new cultural and tourism formats, and enrich the experience of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Xizang."
As China enters a new five-year development phase, Xizang's priorities are clearly defined: stability, development, ecological protection, and border security.
But at the heart of it all are its people.
This year, the regional government is investing nearly 2 billion US dollars in a comprehensive livelihood package.
Through upgrades to infrastructure and public services, the aim is to ensure that even the most remote communities can share in the benefits of development.