As dusk fell and the sky gradually darkened, Zhaxigang Village in Zhaxigang Town, Maizhokunggar County, Lhasa City, was slowly enveloped by the night. At this moment, rows of solar streetlights lit up, with their soft light evenly spreading over the village paths, adding a touch of warmth and tranquility to this high-altitude rural area.

After finishing his evening stroll around the village, 82-year-old Losang returned home. He gently pressed the switch on the wall, and instantly, the living room was brightly illuminated. Sitting on the sofa in the living room, he ran his fingertips over the intelligent desk lamp on the table that could be adjusted to any brightness. The light changed from warm yellow to snow white. His thoughts drifted away, and in Losang's mind, three beams of light seemed to appear one after another—the faint glow of an oil lamp, the intense white of a gas lamp, and the brilliant brightness of an electric lamp. These three beams of light, like three distinct markers, clearly divided his entire life into three different stages.

"Back then, we relied on this lamp at night," Losang said, pointing to the rusty iron oil lamp in his home. The wick of this oil lamp was a small tuft of cotton, and the fuel was either kerosene or butter. In the 1960s and 1970s, this small oil lamp was the sole source of light for Losang's family at night. The flame of the oil lamp was only as big as a bean, swaying in the wind, and its brightness was less than that of a 3-watt light bulb today. Yet, it had to illuminate the lives of seven family members.

In the 1980s, brighter gas lamps entered people's lives and gradually replaced oil lamps. By pumping air into the gas lamp to pressurize it and then lighting the mantle, a beam of intense white light instantly filled the entire room.

Losang's family saved every penny and used half a year's savings to become the third household in the village to buy a gas lamp. At that time, the mantles were fragile, and everyone was extremely careful when lighting the gas lamp. The burned mantle ash, wrapped in a cloth, could also be used to stop bleeding when someone was injured, which was a unique novelty of that era.

However, the brightness and joy brought by the gas lamp didn't last long before even greater changes arrived—the government began to provide large-scale electricity to agricultural and pastoral areas.

"After getting electricity, there were huge changes at home," Losang said with emotion. "In winter, we can leave the laundry to the washing machine and no longer have to wash clothes by hand in icy water. In summer, there's iced highland barley beer in the refrigerator. Taking a sip is incredibly refreshing."

Nowadays, what fascinates Losang even more is that 5G signals have reached the village. He picks up his mobile phone and makes a video call, instantly seeing the smiling face of his daughter in Lhasa. When the lights are on, the way home is clearly visible; when the streetlights are on, traveling becomes more convenient. Even longing has a more tangible outlet thanks to this bright light.

From the faint and flickering light of the oil lamp to the bright yet delicate light of the gas lamp, and then to the stable and abundant light of the electric lamp, this is not just a change in illumination but also a dramatic transformation in life. In the past, the whole family huddled together and worked under the faint glow of the oil lamp, and life was extremely tough. Later, the gas lamp brought new hope, and the family sat around discussing the future. Now, the electric lamp illuminates every corner, and life is full of beauty and happiness.

Three lamps, three eras, have witnessed the high-altitude village's journey from backwardness to progress and from poverty to prosperity. They illuminate not only houses but also the path that people pursue for a better life. And Losang, like a witness to history, sits quietly in the light, feeling the pulse of the times and filled with anticipation for the future.

Reporter: Xire Dorje, Konchog Drolma, Tenzin

Translator: Zhi Xinghua

Review: Phurbu Tsering, Dong Xiuli