In the rugged mountains of Songde village in Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province, nearly 800 residents from 167 families spread across nine valleys by the Duke River, at an altitude of about 3,150 meters, are experiencing a remarkable transformation.

These Tibetan communities, renowned for their breathtaking natural beauty — towering mountains, meandering rivers, and serene valleys — have long struggled with inadequate infrastructure, particularly poor road conditions.

Before 2016, villagers relied on dirt roads for travel. Lo Ping, the head of the village, recalled the challenges: "When we needed to go out, we usually walked or rode bicycles. On sunny days, we'd be covered in dust; on rainy days, we'd be covered in mud." The situation worsened from October to May, when icy conditions made travel treacherous.

According to local official Li Yonglei, the average annual income per person in the village was about 6,000 yuan ($830) prior to 2016.

The first major improvement came in 2016 with the construction of a gravel road, which allowed some vehicles to access the area. The breakthrough came in 2019 with the completion of a 4.2-kilometer paved road connecting the village to National Highway G227. This road has opened up a gateway to the broader world for the villagers.

This road extends up the mountain from National Road G227. It is about 4 meters wide, with a paved surface and a designated bike lane to accommodate the increasing number of cyclists who have become tourists in recent years.

The impact of the new road has been profound. Travel time to the center of Rangtang county, the closest county center, has been reduced to about 30 minutes, encouraging more villagers to seek employment outside their home areas. Many have invested in motorcycles, tractors, and even cars.

"Before, the villagers would spend the whole year idle; now, they work year-round, even during summer and winter," Lo said. The average annual income of the villagers has surged to over 16,000 yuan ($2,200).

The road improvements have also enhanced access to essential services. Rangtang county now offers rural bus services, allowing residents to book rides with just a phone call. Small buses, typically five or seven-seaters, charge around 2 yuan for a trip from Songde village to the center of Rangtang county, greatly facilitating access to essential services.

Children no longer face long, difficult journeys to school; parents now use cars or motorcycles for school runs. For the elderly, the new road has made it possible to visit temples and fulfill lifelong dreams, such as traveling to Lhasa in the Xizang autonomous region.

"Some elderly people who dreamed of going to Lhasa now have the chance. They can take a bus to Chengdu and then fly to Lhasa, realizing their lifelong wish," Lo said.

Local tourism is also developing thanks to the road upgrade.

Various businesses such as farm stays, pastoral stays, and guesthouses have begun to develop in Songde village.

"Currently, the new residential houses being built in the village will eventually be turned into guesthouses," Lo said. Once the houses are completed, villagers will invest by contributing their available rooms, with the government providing funding for renovation. The profits from the operations will be distributed according to the proportion of their investment.

Wei Changming, a local driver with over a decade of experience, highlighted the transportation transformation.

"Previously, many villages were inaccessible or required high-clearance vehicles. Now, the improved roads make travel much easier. I often transport passengers and packages from the county to the villages, with fees ranging from 2 to 10 yuan," he said.

These improvements in Rangtang county are part of a broader initiative to enhance rural infrastructure across China. Liu Changmei, deputy head of the county's transportation bureau, noted that the county's road network spans approximately 1,028 kilometers, with rural roads making up about 744 kilometers.

"In such mountainous and canyon-filled regions, the development of rural roads is crucial for overall growth," he said.