When History Sings: A 71st Anniversary Musical Tribute
Today, December 25, 2025, marks the 71st anniversary of the opening of the Sichuan–Xizang Highway and the Qinghai–Xizang Highway. On December 25, 1954, these routes officially opened to traffic, ushering in a new era of road transportation in the Xizang Autonomous Region.
This year, over 50 musicians and cultural groups have joined forces to host a musical tribute along the 2,100-kilometer Sichuan–Xizang route. Starting at Chengdu (500 meters above sea level) and climbing to high-altitude passes over 4,000 meters, performers blend Sichuan folk instruments with Tibetan chants to celebrate the highway's legacy of connectivity.
The itinerary features pop-up concerts in Kangding, Litang, and Zedang, streaming live via VR and social media. Early data shows more than 3 million digital viewers tuning in, bridging audiences from Chengdu to Cape Town in real time.
Sustainability drives the event, with solar-powered stages and low-emission vehicles minimizing its carbon footprint. For business and tech enthusiasts, the tribute underscores how infrastructure investments can spark innovation: since 1954, trade volume along the highway has grown exponentially, transforming remote communities into eco-tourism and specialty goods hubs.
Thought leaders view the musical caravan as a model for cultural exchange and sustainable development. Travelers and digital nomads are invited to join the final performance in Nyingchi, where interactive workshops on local crafts and gastronomy await.
This celebration reminds us that roads do more than connect places—they connect people and stories. Share your own #SichuanXizang moments and be part of a living legacy that continues to resonate across cultures.
Reference(s):
When history sings: A musical tribute to the Sichuan-Xizang Highway
cgtn.com
