The Kala Mountain, a branch of the Nyainqentanglha Range, runs across the entire region, dividing Lhundrub County of Lhasa, Xizang Autonomous Region into two parts, forming a pattern of "farming in the south and animal husbandry in the north" at an average altitude of 4,200 meters. Here, there are not only more than 200,000 mu (approx. 133 km²)of farmland, over 5 million mu (approx. 3,333 km²) of natural pasture, and 200,000 yaks, but also Xizang's first full-industry-chain comprehensive agricultural and animal husbandry demonstration park aided by Jiangsu province — the Gesang Tang Modern Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Industry Demonstration Park.

In the Tibetan language, "Gesang Tang" means "an open area of happiness and beauty." Amidst the rolling mountains, the reporter arrived at Gesang Tang and felt suddenly enlightened, with the 20,000-mu park stretching beyond sight. The yaks here not only eat scientifically formulated concentrated feed but also live in modern breeding sheds, with all data monitored around the clock.

Batch after batch of Jiangsu aid-Xizang cadres adhere to the yak whole industry chain as the core, closely focusing on the goal of "strengthening the county and enriching the people," promoting the transformation from traditional grazing methods to modern breeding, so that the yak, known as the "boat of the plateau," gradually becomes a "golden yak" that drives the income increase of the masses.

"The yak is full of treasures, the key is to make good use of it." Rigzin Tagye is a breeder at "Gesang Tang." For herdsmen living in Xizang for generations, the yak is not only a "money bag" but also an inexhaustible "treasure chest," playing an extremely important role in their production and life.

In many counties and districts around Lhasa, yaks can be seen grazing scattered in the mountains. However, this extensive breeding method of "raising cattle by the weather" has weak risk resistance, low industrial development degree, and it is difficult to improve animal husbandry efficiency, mostly only meeting the self-sufficiency of herdsmen.

Exploring "scientific cattle raising," Jiangsu has carved out a new path for whole industry chain development in Lhundrub. In 2018, Jiangsu invested 150 million yuan(RMB) to start construction of "Gesang Tang." This project was not only the largest single aid-Xizang project of Jiangsu at that time but also a key livelihood project to promote Lhundrub's poverty alleviation and continuous rural revitalization.

"To raise cattle well, you must first raise good cattle." Zhang Fugang, deputy general manager of Lhundrub Jingmu Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Development Co., Ltd., is responsible for the operation of "Gesang Tang." He found that many local herdsmen had average yak breeds and poor quality.

For this reason, the park purchases "frame cattle" with poor appearance from herdsmen for scientific fattening, while promoting excellent breeding cattle. In 2025, nearly 300 heads have been provided to herdsmen, each enjoying a subsidy of 4,000 yuan, and herdsmen actually only need to pay three or four thousand yuan. Zhang Fugang has an account: it can increase the meat-to-feed ratio by more than 50%, reduce the slaughter cycle from nearly 10 years to half, reduce comprehensive costs by 20%, and improve meat quality and reduce mortality by 60%.

While promoting improved varieties, repurchasing and fattening, "in and out" forms a virtuous cycle. This new idea is not "blossoming on the spot" but runs through the whole process of yak breeding. In 2023, Jingtu Company cooperated with collective economic organizations such as Chunxiang Township, Dianchong Village, Tianka Village, and local private enterprises in a new form, planting 13,000 mu (approx. 8.67 km²) of oat grass through sharing, further solving the local winter forage shortage problem and also driving herdsmen to increase income and become rich.

Yaks are raised, but deep processing enterprises of yak meat products are still scarce in Lhundrub. In the past, local yak meat sales adopted the "quarter" method, i.e., cutting into four parts. For a "big guy" weighing several hundred kilograms, this sales method was difficult to sell at a good price, generally only selling for about 10,000 yuan per head. Under the guidance of Suzhou aid-Xizang cadres, the local yak meat was finely divided, with different prices according to different parts, increasing the added value and doubling the income.

From the breeding end to the production end, and then to the sales end, the yak industry is flourishing in Lhundrub. Following the aid-Xizang idea of "growing grass and raising livestock" in "small groups," this integrated whole yak industry chain is accelerating its formation. As the largest yak breeding base in Xizang, "Gesang Tang" is now applying for a national agricultural industry demonstration park, which will play a greater role in enriching the people and increasing income. According to preliminary statistics, only forage planting employed more than 2,000 local farmers and herdsmen, generating nearly 800,000 yuan in income for everyone.

When industries prosper, the people become rich. Cering Tashi, a villager from Songpan Village, joined the park in 2021, saying goodbye to the days of odd jobs and seasonal work. "Working here, accommodation and meals are fully covered, daily necessities are distributed every year, and wages are paid on time every month. Life is becoming more and more secure." At present, the park has driven more than 20 low-income households to increase income and absorbed local university students for employment. Since its operation, the park's various sales revenues have reached nearly 40 million yuan, driving the masses to increase income by 4.91 million yuan annually.

From scattered grazing to large-scale breeding, from self-sufficiency to whole industry chain development, from traditional extensive management to modern scientific management, Gesang Tang Modern Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Industry Demonstration Park is gradually becoming a powerful engine for rural revitalization in Lhundrub. From infrastructure improvement to precise industrial assistance, Jiangsu's aid-Xizang work always adheres to local conditions, relies on Suzhou's agricultural technology advantages and industrial experience, combines with Lhundrub County's resource endowment, and fully promotes the in-depth development of the yak whole industry chain, injecting continuous impetus into local rural revitalization.

"Step by step, now from '1.0' to '2.0', in the future, we will develop towards biomedicine and more directions. We need to study this 'cow' carefully, for example, yak hair can be used to weave tents, and yak bones can also be used to make teeth." Zhang Fugang said that now, Lhundrub and Suzhou enterprises have reached preliminary cooperation intentions to explore the comprehensive utilization of yak pericardium, bone and blood in biomedicine. At the same time, actively connect with leather and yak hair processing enterprises, and strive to make the best use of the yak "full of treasures" to achieve higher added value.

Nowadays, on this highland fertile soil implying "happiness and beauty," the yak industry is flourishing with vigorous vitality, and the channels for the masses to increase income are constantly widening. A modern pastoral picture of thriving industries and prosperous people is slowly unfolding in the Pengbo Valley.

Reporter: Huang Zhiwu

Translator: Liu Fang

Review: Phurbu Tsering, Drakpa Wangchen