From sacred lakes to luxuriant highland barley fields, from sun-bathed, snow-capped mountains to the bustling bazaars of Lhasa, the mysterious land of Xizang has always been on my travel bucket list. This long-held dream finally came true this summer.
Different Peaks of the Same Mountain
Boarding the Qinghai-Xizang Railway bullet train from Beijing marked the beginning of my \"journey to the west.\" I was eager to be thrilled by the stunning landscapes and the vibrant people of Xizang. Sitting next to me was a middle-aged man engrossed in a thick book written in Tibetan. His concentration and the unfamiliar script made him appear enigmatic. Unable to curb my curiosity, I struck up a conversation, eager to learn his story.
His name is Numu, a freelance Tibetan-Mandarin translator traveling back to Lhasa from Tianjin, where he spent seven years in a state-run school for Tibetan students in the 1980s.
\"The seven-year education in Tianjin, my second hometown, changed my life,\" Numu's eyes sparkled with pride as he recounted his childhood. He was part of a government-sponsored program for top students from his village. \"Initially, the language barrier and homesickness made my exam scores the third-worst in the class, but the slogan 'Study hard and make yourself one of the new Tibetans' inspired me to improve.\" Those seven years not only expanded his academic knowledge but also taught him how to connect with people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Numu is among the many beneficiaries of the education program launched in 1985, which has annually supported thousands of Tibetan pupils to receive quality education in 13 provinces and cities outside Xizang, alleviating the economic burdens on their families. Today, as a translator, he serves as a \"bridge-builder,\" bringing Tibetan culture to global audiences and linking local communities to the wider world. Quoting a Tibetan poem from his book, Numu described Xizang and other parts of China as \"different peaks of the same mountain,\" emphasizing the close connections despite geographical distances.
Education as a Barometer of Social Progress
To fully experience Lhasa, I hired a local guide who took me to Bakuo Street, the Potala Palace, and other iconic landmarks of Xizang. My guide, Drolma, is a vibrant Tibetan girl dressed in colorful traditional robes. She is a freshman spending her summer holidays in suburban Lhasa, attending a local boarding school where she excels in Mandarin.
As we wandered through streets lined with pilgrims spinning prayer wheels in devotion, Drolma shared her academic journey. Her parents had longed to provide her with a proper education, but the remote village's high altitude and sparse population made access to schools challenging. Fortunately, the local government established a boarding school in the nearby county, allowing Drolma and other children from her village to study and live there during weekdays.
Drolma's story is a testament to how education serves as a catalyst for social progress in Xizang, empowering young minds to bridge traditional values with modern opportunities.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
