As the Xizang Autonomous Region marks its 60th anniversary this year, a new documentary titled Sunrise over the Plateau offers a compelling narrative of progress through the voices of its people. Released in December 2025, the film weaves archival footage with personal accounts of former serfs, engineers, rural healthcare workers, and cultural custodians to illustrate the region's socio-economic evolution.
The documentary highlights infrastructure milestones, including the completion of the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway in 2021 and renewable energy projects powering remote villages. Educators share stories of literacy campaigns that reduced illiteracy rates from 95% in 1959 to under 3% today, while traditional Thangka painters discuss state-supported cultural preservation efforts.
Notably, the film addresses modern challenges, featuring interviews with tech entrepreneurs leveraging e-commerce platforms to sell local handicrafts globally. Public health workers describe mobile clinics serving nomadic communities, reflecting Xizang's current push for equitable development.
