Galai Village, nestled in Nyingchi City of the Xizang Autonomous Region, has seen a remarkable transformation in recent years. When villagers shared their progress and rising incomes, Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote back: learning of these changes makes me feel happy for you. His recent letter echoed the optimism he felt during a 2021 visit, when he praised Galai as a true 'Peach Blossom Land' blessed by nature and heritage.
The term 'Peach Blossom Land' comes from a 5th-century fable by poet Tao Yuanming, symbolizing an idyllic and harmonious community. Each spring, Galai bursts into pink and white blossoms, drawing tourists from across China and beyond and turning this once-remote settlement into a vibrant springtime destination.
From 'Sky Road' to 'Prosperity Road'
The journey began with connectivity. Before 1951, Galai had no vehicle roads. The completion of the Qinghai-Xizang and Sichuan-Xizang highways in 1954, and the Qinghai-Xizang Railway in 2006, marked the arrival of a modern 'sky road'. By 2024, Xizang's road network grew from 65,200 km in 2012 to 124,900 km, while rail lines nearly doubled to 1,359 km and 183 flight routes linked the region with 78 cities.
These links paved the way for a 'prosperity road'. Under targeted support from developed provinces, local tourism and ecological industries (like organic agriculture) took root. In Galai, new homes stand side by side with thriving guesthouses, and in 2024, villagers' per capita income topped 40,000 yuan.
Data-Driven Growth on the Plateau
Xizang's economic story mirrors Galai's rise. Since 1965, regional GDP soared 155-fold to 276.5 billion yuan in 2024, with an average annual growth of 8.9 percent. Urban residents now average 55,444 yuan in disposable income, while farmers and herdsmen reach 21,578 yuan, thanks to policies that balance development, ecology and cultural heritage. All administrative villages now have fiber-optic and 4G networks, ensuring connectivity and opportunity.
President Xi's letter calls on villagers to protect the plateau's unique beauty, strengthen the tourism brand and build a stable, prosperous border area. Galai's transformation shows how infrastructure, culture and community spirit can unlock new futures on the world's highest plateau.
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A peach blossom village at the heart of Xizang's transformation
cgtn.com
