Nestled in the southwestern corner of Banbar County, Qamdo City, Jaggong Township borders Jinling Township to the east, Lhari County of Nagqu to the west, and Biru County of Nagqu to the north. Spanning 1,055 square kilometers, this remote area was long isolated by treacherous terrain and poor transportation, resembling a secluded "island" cut off from the world.

Recalling the past, Tsering Dorje from Jaggong Township sighs deeply: "Banbar is the farthest county in Qamdo, and Jaggong is the most remote township in Banbar. Back then, leaving home was harder than climbing to heaven! A trip to the county seat—just over 100 kilometers—took us three full days!"

His words transport us to those bygone days: narrow, winding mountain paths flanked by towering peaks, cliffs as sharp as if carved by knives, and dark, deep valleys where roaring rivers echoed like thunder, sending chills down the spine.

"The hardest was winter," Tsering Dorje recalls. "When heavy snow sealed the mountains, we were truly cut off. Snow piled waist-deep, burying every path for months. Fresh vegetables, daily supplies couldn't get in, and news was scarce—even listening to the radio was difficult."

Poor transportation was like heavy shackles, stifling Jaggong's development. Villagers dreamed of selling their yak meat, butter, foraged caterpillar fungus, and fritillary bulbs in the county for better prices. But Tsering Dorje shakes his head: "We could only rely on horses and our own backs. Trekking over mountains took days. In summer, we feared rain; in winter, snow. The rough journey damaged goods—broken herbs, spoiled meat. By the time we reached the county, items were wilted or rotten, selling for little. After covering travel costs, we earned almost nothing."

"The mountains blocked our children's futures." Education, the key to changing destinies, was once an unbearable burden in Jaggong. "Sending kids to better schools in the county was too hard! The distance, the danger—children couldn't walk it, and parents couldn't rest easy. Many kids, especially girls, had to quit after primary school to herd or work. Not for lack of desire, but because the road stole their futures." His eyes glisten with regret for the younger generation's lost opportunities.

Medical care was even more dire. "In emergencies, we cried to the heavens in vain! Carrying the sick over mountains to the county? Time was a luxury we couldn't afford—lives were at stake!" Tsering Dorje's voice is heavy with emotion.

Yet, the tides of progress surged forward, and the winds of development swept across the plateau. The Xizang Autonomous Region prioritized transportation in its blueprint for growth, embracing the adage, "To get rich, first build roads." To break Banbar's transportation barriers, meet year-round travel needs, and boost local economies, the state and regional government launched major infrastructure projects. Jaggong finally saw hope for change.

A milestone came in September 2024 with the opening of the Shagong La Mountain Tunnel—a feat that rewrote history. Tsering Dorje reflects: "Before, from October to April, heavy snow buried Shagong La, cutting off the road to Jinling. Now, the tunnel defies even the deepest snow. Villagers no longer detour hundreds of kilometers via National Highway 317 to Lhasa." The tunnel not only ended Jaggong's winter isolation but also bridged Banbar to the outside world, laying the foundation for Jaggong's rise.

Meanwhile, Jaggong's internal "capillaries" were also unclogging. The two-phase expansion of the road from G349 Highway to Yangxoi Township's Ga Village progressed swiftly. Phase one, linking G349 to Jaggong Township and Guoqing Village to Yib Village, was completed in 2018 as a flagship "Four Good Rural Roads" project. Phase two, connecting Yib Village to Ga Village, is now underway.

"The change is earth-shaking!" Tsering Dorje beams. "Now, the county seat is just two hours away." Once-impassable terrain has given way to smooth asphalt roads, tightly linking Jaggong to the wider world. This transportation revolution has awakened the dormant mountain township:

"Yak meat and caterpillar fungus now reach markets fast, fetching good prices. Villagers' pockets are growing fuller."

"More families own cars—travel is easier, and transport businesses are booming!"

Children's education is no longer a struggle. "Kids effortlessly reach county schools—this is Jaggong's future hope!"

Healthcare has transformed. "For emergencies, a call brings an ambulance straight to the county hospital!"

Once rarely visited, Jaggong now draws distant guests. The towering Sapu Snow Mountain, straddling Yangxoi and Jaggong, with its majestic glaciers, lures tourists.

"Now, driving from the township to Sapu is smooth. More visitors come to see the ancient glaciers—everyone says they're breathtaking!" Tsering Dorje proudly shares. Additionally, ancient cliffside plank roads along Jaggong's valleys, like historical codes etched into rock, attract adventurers and researchers.

"Three days' journey is now two hours. These roads reach our doorsteps—and our hearts!" Tsering Dorje's words are simple yet powerful. As transportation networks expand, Jaggong's landscapes and culture will captivate more. In this new era of connectivity, Jaggong Township is stepping into a brighter future.

Reporters: Zhou Tingting, Phuntsok Namgyal

Translator: Liu Fang

Review: Purbu Tsering, Drakpa Wangchen