In May 2025, the weather in Qamdo City, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Reegion, warms up. In Badong Village of Baima Town, Baxoi County, the rural house renovation project following the "government guidance + public participation" model is underway, and 48 households are on the verge of embracing a "new home and a new life".

Stepping into Badong Village, the construction site presents a bustling scene. The building of the foundations and the erection of the main frameworks for the houses of the 18 reconstruction households have been completed, while the 30 households in need of repairs are in full swing. Dengye said while mixing cement, "the government has given my family a subsidy of 155,000 yuan (RMB). Technicians are teaching us step by step on the spot. We have put in a lot of effort. Seeing the new house being built day by day, everyone is working with all their might!"

During the renovation process, a professional technical team has been stationed on-site throughout to provide guidance. They have not only carried out safety upgrades such as seismic reinforcement and electrical circuit modifications for the old houses but also retained cultural symbols unique to Tibetan architecture, like the painted doors and windows and rammed-earth walls, through innovative design. "We had multiple rounds of communication in the early stages to tailor renovation plans for each household and establish archives," said Dondrup, the director of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau of Baxoi County. Through measures such as reinforcing load-bearing walls and adding fire safety facilities, they are striving to enhance the safety standards of the houses.

Dondrup introduced that the renovated houses will be equipped with facilities such as independent bathrooms and sunny corridors for warmth, while also preserving traditional areas like Tibetan-style kitchens. This organic integration of tradition and modernity not only safeguards cultural heritage but also enhances the quality of life.

It is reported that Baxoi County will continue to establish and improve a long-term mechanism for the quality and safety maintenance of rural houses, promoting a transformation from merely having a place to live to having a high-quality living environment. This will ensure that the "new homes on the plateau" truly become a happy embodiment of rural revitalization.

Reporter: Zhou Tingting

Translator: Zhi Xinghua, Liu Fang

Review: Hu Rongguo, Drakpa Wangchen