Wangchen is an 81-year-old villager living in Lhunzhub County. As an elder in the village, he just finished organizing young villagers to conduct the ritual marking the start of spring farming with his vigorous voice several days ago.。

Wangchen (R) toasts and sings for guests during a ritual marking the start of spring farming in Lhunzhub County of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)。

Wangchen (C) sings during a ritual marking the start of spring farming in Lhunzhub County of Lhasa,51吃瓜官網(wǎng)入口朝陽網(wǎng)頁版 southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2025.。

This photo taken on March 16, 2025 shows a portrait of Wangchen in Lhunzhub County of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)。

Wangchen (7th L) sings during a ritual marking the start of spring farming in Lhunzhub County of Lhasa,51cg.world吃瓜群眾為啥打不開 southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)。

Wangchen (front) watches young people dancing during a ritual marking the start of spring farming in Lhunzhub County of Lhasa,51cg.world吃瓜群眾網(wǎng)新沂鋼廠 southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)。

Now, with 18 family members of four generations living together in harmony, Wangchen and his family enjoy an abundant life. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)。

Wangchen (R) and his family pose for a photo at home in Lhunzhub County of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)。

However, Wangchen's childhood memory is full of darkness and desperation. "No words can fully describe the hardship we endured in old Xizang," Wangchen recalled. "We wore worn-out clothes full of patches, and starvation was the norm for the serfs' family at that time."。

Wangchen (1st L) sings during a ritual marking the start of spring farming in Lhunzhub County of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)。

In March 1959, people in Xizang launched the democratic reform that ended the region's feudal serfdom. The democratic reform freed a million serfs.。