Nestled in southeastern Xizang Autonomous Region, Galai Village has become an unexpected beacon of rural revitalization, drawing visitors with its annual peach blossom spectacle each spring. Local resident Dawa Gyaltsen, who hosted President Xi Jinping during a 2020 visit, describes March and April as months when 'the valley turns pink with opportunity,' as tourism revenue now accounts for 70% of village income.
This year's 60th anniversary of Xizang's establishment coincides with renewed momentum following President Xi's recent correspondence with villagers. In his letter, Xi emphasized 'protecting the plateau's ecological wonders while building distinctive rural tourism brands,' aligning with national strategies for frontier development.
The village's transformation from subsistence farming to a model of eco-tourism mirrors Xizang's broader economic growth, which has seen GDP increase eightfold since 2000. Agricultural experts note Galai's success in packaging cultural heritage with natural beauty – their peach-derived products now reach markets across the Chinese mainland.
As workers install new solar-powered streetlights along hiking trails, the village prepares for its expanded Peach Blossom Festival, demonstrating how environmental stewardship and cultural preservation are driving sustainable prosperity in China's western regions.
