In the Sapu Scenic Area of Biru County, Nagqu City, Xizang Autonomous Region, the glaciers stand tall and majestic, while the lakes are as still as mirrors. In Tibetan, "Sa" means "snow leopard" and "Pu" means "deep in the mountain valley". In recent years, with the continuous improvement of transportation conditions, an increasing number of tourists have flocked here to admire the unique landscapes.

Road connectivity boosts tourism boom

"Rocks are scattered everywhere, making it nearly impossible for people and horses to pass. The hardships are beyond description." This was how people used to describe the roads in Xizang.

At the end of September last year, the Xarkang La Mountain Tunnel was officially opened to traffic, turning the "most perilous pass on the way into Xizang" into a thoroughfare and enabling the fullopening up of National Highway G349, also known as the "Central Sichuan-Xizang Route".

Tashi, who lives in the county seat of Banbar County, Qamdo City, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. "The number of vehicles and tourists has more than doubled. Parking lots and accommodations are fully occupied," he said. A series of major transportation projects in the local area have been approved and commenced construction one after another. While national and provincial trunk roads have become unobstructed, the "capillary network" of county and township roads is being rapidly upgraded, bringing tangible benefits to local villagers.

Phayum First Village, located more than 50 kilometers away from the county seat of Banbar, boasts unique natural landscapes such as the Xianggela Glacier and the Gangkar Ice Cave. At the beginning of 2024, the Banbar County government donated 50 off-road motorcycles to the village and actively developed a distinctive tourism project combining "ice and snow exploration with off-road riding". All 149 households in the village have joined in. "Thanks to this motorcycle, my annual income has exceeded 10,000 yuan," said Phuntsok, a villager.

Spurred by a series of policy incentives, Banbar County received over 300,000 tourists last year, generating tourism revenue of 34.54 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 225.84%.

Scenic beauty coexists with ecological well-being

The Sapu Mountain, located at the junction of Yangxiu Town in Biru County and Jaggong Town in Banbar County, attracts numerous tourists with its towering and magnificent appearance and its large-scale maritime glaciers.

At the end of 2023, Biru County successfully established itself as an autonomous regional-level all-for-one tourism demonstration county. In July this year, 14 tourist attractions in Xizang, including the Sapu Scenic Area, were officially approved as national 4A-level tourist attractions.

Staying in homestays, pitching tents, savoring Tibetan cuisine and hot pot, galloping on horseback, and enjoying scenic photography... There are more and more new scenarios for cultural and tourism consumption. After the rain, actors from the Biru County Art Troupe and tourists gathered in a circle, leading everyone in dancing. Songs, applause, and laughter blended together.

"To ensure that the beautiful scenery remains, we must protect the ecological environment of the scenic area," said Jamyang, a member of the Biru County Party Standing Committee and Minister of the Publicity Department. To encourage more people to participate in ecological protection, Biru County has set up 36 positions in the Sapu Scenic Area, including forestry ecological protection, water ecological protection, and road maintenance workers. This approach not only addresses employment issues for the local people but also protects the ecological environment.

Vacant houses turn into "golden homes"

With the vigorous development of the tourism industry, an increasing number of farmers and herdsmen are finding employment opportunities close to home.

Tenzin Dargye is a native of Biru County. After graduating with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Xizang Vocational Technical College in 2021, he chose to return to his hometown to work as a tour guide. "It gives me a great sense of accomplishment to share the stories of my hometown with more people," said Tenzin Dargye.

Since 2017, the cultural and tourism department of Biru County has encouraged and guided local people to open family inns using their idle houses, providing accommodation and catering services for tourists. A total of 2.26 million yuan has been invested in decorating homestays, purchasing oxygen-making equipment, and providing accommodation supplies.

In the Tricolor Lake Scenic Area, the first inn officially opened in Phayum First Village at the end of 2022. Currently, there are seven operating family inns in the local area, with each household seeing an average annual income increase of 50,000 to 100,000 yuan.

It's not just Banbar and Biru counties that are experiencing this transformation. In the Basum Tso Scenic Area in Nyingchi City, family inns that retain the architectural style of the Kongpo Tibetan ancient villages are highly popular among tourists, with local per capita annual income exceeding 20,000 yuan. In Kambu Town, a hot spring resort in Xigaze City, once-ordinary rural houses have now become excellent choices for tourists to get close to nature...

In recent years, through policy support, brand building, and other measures, the cultural and tourism industry in Xizang has flourished, driving more and more farmers and herdsmen to participate, enabling them to achieve employment and income growth close to home and share in the dividends of high-quality development.

Reporter: Xian Gan, Lv Jiuhai, An Bowen

Translator: Zhi Xinghua

Review: Phurbu Tsering, Dong Xiuli