Old photographs on the wall of Dorje Ngodrup's home capture the journey of happiness through time for a family in Xigaze, Xizang. In the past, it took days of bumpy travel to reach the city — now, a high-speed train brings Lhasa just two hours away. Such dramatic improvements in transportation have made life on the plateau feel closer than ever. Dorje Ngodrup once regretted having to drop out of school to farm the land, but today his two sons are both attending university. Each photograph documents leaps in clothing, food, housing, and travel, telling not only one family's story but also a warmer, larger tale of progress shared by a nation and its people. 

Photo: Xizang Daily

Editor: Penpa Tsering, Zheng Yujie

Translator: Zhi Xinghua

Review: Drakpa Wangchen, Pan Lu