Combo photo taken on Nov. 24, 2021 shows Sherpa villagers in Zhentang Town of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)
LHASA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Situated deep in the Himalayas, a small town called Zhentang in Tibet's Dinggye County is one of the settlements for the Sherpa. The border town has an average elevation of 2,000 meters.
In recent years, great changes have taken place in Zhentang. A series of infrastructure projects have been put into use. Besides, Zhentang is also focusing on the development of cross-border trade, aquaculture, tourism and processing industry with local features to increase the income of villagers. In 2020, the per capita disposable income of local residents in Zhentang reached 10,679 yuan (about 1,679 U.S. dollars).
Nyima (R), a Sherpa villager in Zhentang of Xigaze, and his family hold a Chinese national flag in front of their house on Nov. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)
Namkha, an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage of Sherpa singing and dancing, sings in the field in Zhentang Town of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Nov. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
Aerial photo taken on Nov. 27, 2021 shows the view of Zhentang Town in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)
Combo photo taken on Nov. 25, 2021 shows three Tibetan Opera actors posing for pictures in Zhentang Town of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
A Sherpa woman works in the field in Zhentang Town of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Nov. 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
Sherpa women carry supplies uphill in Zhentang Town of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Nov. 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
Aerial photo taken on Nov. 27, 2021 shows the view of Zhentang Town in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
Sherpa women talk with each other at a square in their village in Zhentang Town of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Nov. 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)
Combo photo taken on Nov. 25, 2021 shows Lhapa Tagye feeding chickens in his chicken farm (top) and Lhapa Tagye sitting in his car bought after he opened the farm, in Zhentang Town of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
Sherpa parents pick up their children after school in Zhentang Town of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Nov. 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)
Aerial photo taken on Nov. 27, 2021 shows the view of Zhentang Town in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)
Third-year primary school student Wangmo reads a textbook in class in Zhentang Town of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Nov. 24, 2021.(Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)■
