During the 1980s to 1990s, the village first began to earn money by running a transportation business, shipping lumber from nearby forests to other places.

After logging was suspended to protect the environment, villagers found another path to wealth through the building material industry, producing sandstones, concrete and prefabricated wall panels.

Managed under a collective economy, the businesses resulted in 5 million yuan ($774,000) for the village in 2020.

By taking advantage of the rich natural resources, Baji village also developed tourism to diversify its industrial structure.

With 473 residents living among 101 families, the village generated 37.06 million yuan of economic income last year, and per capita disposable income hit 47,000 yuan, growing 1,382 times over that of 1959.

"I feel really lucky nowadays, as all of the Tibetans have shrugged off the dark history of the past and become masters of their own affairs," Dalong said.