January 19th marked the first day of Tibetan Agricultural New Year in Xigaze, Xizang, China.

Shortly after 6 a.m., the stove in Tenpa's home in Luru Village, Xigaze, was glowing bright red. A pot simmered with the savory aroma of "Changguo," a traditional Tibetan dish, filling the entire new house with its fragrance.

This was the first Xigaze Agricultural New Year that Tenpa's family of five spent in their newly rebuilt house after the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Dingri.

Over the three years spanning the earthquake, Tenpa's family celebrated three distinct New Years in threedifferent homes. A single bowl of "Changguo" thus simmered with three different layers of savors.

New Year in the old house: hearth fires and hopes within earthen walls

The New Year of 2024 was spent in their old house.

Built in 2008 with subsidies from the Xizang Autonomous Region's settlement project for farmers and herders, the couple made their own adobe bricks and, with help from fellow villagers, erected a two-story Tibetan-style house facing south.

The old house’s photossaved ontheir eldest daughter, Tashi Tsongyi's mobile phone that show aneat and spacious exterior. Yet in memory, the old aluminum windows never sealed properly, and the earthen walls could not retain warmth.

71-year-old grandmother Kela sat by the stove, savoring her "Changguo" while chattering on about life's changes: "When i was little, we were content just having tsampa for the New Year. Over these years, life has gotten better and better, and the ingredients also have become more plentiful."

When did the changes begin? In 2017, the sunshine of poverty alleviation reached this once-registeredimpoverished household. The village cooperative began issuing year-end dividends, paid positions in the ecological sector provided stable income, and during agricultural off-seasons, Tenpa and his wife worked as day laborers...

New Year in the prefab house: warmth and mutual support amidst the cold wind

The hearth-smoke of the earthen house had barely faded when a sudden earthquake disrupted the rhythm of Tenpa's family life.

In the early morning of January 7, 2025, the tranquility of Luru Village was shattered by the earthquake.

Afterwards, the old house stood but was cracked, rendering it unsafe.

While shock still lingered, aid arrived. That same day, blue relief tents were pitched in the village clearing; Not long after, warmer prefabricated houses were built, becoming their temporary home.

Nature's wrath is merciless, but human compassion is profound.A government-distributed "New Year's gift package" sustained the New Year celebration in that prefab house: barley beer, tsampa, dried cheese curds, tea... all the essentials for the festival were there.

On New Year's Day, without a spacious living room, the family gathered around afolding table, holding bowls of steaming "Changguo," sighing with relief that "safety is what matters most."

The small prefab house carried the family's safety; the timely and thoughtful policies were filled with the commitment of putting people's livelihoods first.

New Year in the new house: new life and hope in a bright, open home

Spring arrived as scheduled.

Tenpa's new home was swiftly built on the original site in strict accordance with seismic standards, built with astonishing speed. To everyone's delight, this was not mere restoration, but an upgrade.

The new house features a reinforced concrete frame.Double-glazed windows fit tightly, finally keeping the wind and dustcompletely outside. The biggest change lies within: clearly defined living room, bedrooms, kitchen, and bathroom.

In 2026, the "Changguo" in Tenpa's home wasexceptionally fragrant. The family chatted happily about their New Year wishes: Grandma's wish was simple—to stay healthy and see more of these good times. Father Tenpa planned to earn more money, pave the courtyard, get a driver's license, and buy a car. Mother Sonam Phila hoped for family harmony, good health, and smooth sailing in all matters in the new year. Elder sister Tashi Tsongyi resolved to work hard. Younger sister Awang Lhamo focused on excelling in her studies.

Three New Years, three roofs. Within the markings of time lies the unchanging pursuit of an ordinary Tibetan family, hand in hand and heart to heart, striving for a better life. It also holds thewarm codeof national policies resonating in harmony with the well-being of the people.

Reporter: Yang Ziyan, Ma Xiaoyan, Tenzin Gawa

Translator: Dan Zhen, Liu Fang

Review: Hu Rongguo, Drakpa Wangchen