STORY
Liangshan: Ancient Echoes
Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, in southwest Sichuan, is home to China’s largest Yi population and a melting pot of ethnicities. Yet, Liangshan, once a vital area for drug cultivation, now confronts a myriad of challenges, including economic, ethnic, and public health concerns.
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STORY ABOUT ME
I hail from an ancient ethnic group in Liangshan, which was rapidly swept into the currents of modernity within just 70 years. In our quest to adapt to new norms, we exchanged the richness of our cultural heritage for the homogeneity of standardization. The vibrant spirit that once defined us seemed to fade as we pursued success by external measures. Amidst these changes, my father broke new ground, transcending the traditional boundaries to become the only first-generation university graduate among his seven siblings.
Growing up, I faced the trials of surviving earthquakes and navigating the perils of drug abuse, experiences that have forged in me a unique resilience.
As an observer and a part of this community, I witness our collective journey towards self-affirmation, hoping to break old constraints, reforge our dignity, and write a brilliant new chapter in our story.
STORY ABOUT ACTION
I served as a liaison for Beyond Reading, a non-profit project where volunteers from across China read books via video calls to children in impoverished mountain schools in Liangshan. The initiative fosters reading habits and culture in underprivileged rural communities. Launched 3 years ago with around 50 students and 12 volunteers, “Beyond Reading” now benefits over 500 children with 50+ volunteers. In spring 2025, it continues expanding its reach to impact more rural schools and families.
STORY ABOUT VISIBILITY
As a young Tibetan from Liangshan, journey to Kangding (Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) has led me to understand: cultural visibility is not merely about being seen, but how we are seen.
The mountain mists mirror the state of our culture. While technology has made our homeland visible to the world, it poses a fundamental question: how do we maintain authenticity amidst exposure? As a new generation of Tibetan youth, we are both children of the plateau and participants in this era. Making our mountains visible isn’t about display, but about revealing their soul through genuine dialogue.
