Beneath the clear blue sky, a glacier stretching to the foot of the Xianggela Mountain glistens with crystalline purity. The Gangkar Ice Cave, like a colossal sapphire embedded in the snow-capped peaks, offers breathtaking views to visitors.

How much can a tourist attraction transform a village? Phayum First Village in Banbar County, Qamdo City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, provides a definitive answer. Over just three years, this village nestled at the glacier's base has proven that "ice and snow are as valuable as gold and silver."

"Before the discovery of the ice cave, villagers relied mainly on traditional farming, herding, and caterpillar fungus, bringing a limited economic structure and low income," said Li Xin, head of the village's work team.

Today, Phayum First Village—once remote and isolated—has become "the darling of the snowy mountains." Rows of four-wheeled motorcycles line up neatly outside the village committee office, ready to transport tourists to the ice cave.

Motorcycles are the most common mode of transportation here. "There was originally no path to the ice cave. To ensure visitor safety while preserving the natural experience, village officials led us in paving this riding trail with small stones," explained a villager as he drove the reporter to the site.

Upon arrival, the cave entrance—about one meter high—requires visitors to stoop to enter. Inside, the space gradually expands, revealing a hidden world of stunning blue-tinted ice walls that seem to trap the sky itself. At the widest section, an ice platform allows visitors to take photos and soak in the surreal beauty.

In 2023, the ice cave's tourism offerings were upgraded. The Banbar County Culture and Tourism Bureau invested over one million yuan to purchase 50 all-terrain vehicles for the Gangkar Ice Cave adventure experience. Meanwhile, the Banbar Town Party committee and government secured 750,000 yuan(RMB) to expand the village's Party-service station, adding a second-floor viewing restaurant where tourists can relax and enjoy tea with panoramic vistas. The project is now complete and operational. Thanks to the ice cave's allure, Phayum First Village welcomed nearly 320,000 visitors in 2024.

In July 2023, the village committee partnered with investors to repurpose vacant homes into boutique guesthouses combining dining, lodging, and leisure.

As livelihoods improve, the smile on Lhadar, the village committee director, grows brighter. "Life is better now—more families own cars, and children have easier access to schools and shops," he said with excitement.

Phayum First Village's story demonstrates how traditional villages, when paired with modern tourism, can awaken dormant resources into engines of development, painting a vibrant "ice-and-snow economy" onto the canvas of rural revitalization.

Reporter: Phuntsok Namgyal

Translator: Liu Fang, Zhi Xinghua

Review: Hu Rongguo, Dong Xiuli