Fifteen years after the devastating 2010 earthquake, New Yushu in Qinghai Province is transforming into a model of community renewal, ecological protection, and modern living.
Situated in the Sanjiangyuan region, known as the source of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang rivers, Yushu sits at an average altitude of 4,200 meters. Visitors entering the city immediately notice signs of transformation, including the Yushu Earthquake Memorial Hall and Gratitude Avenue, symbolizing the community’s recovery and resilience.
The earthquake spurred nationwide support and reconstruction efforts. Then-Vice President Xi Jinping visited Yushu, urging society to rebuild homes and schools. Today, those efforts are visible in rebuilt infrastructure and thriving communities.
Hongqi Primary School, previously depicted in children’s drawings during the disaster, now hosts multimedia classrooms. Students in Yushu can study remotely with peers in Beijing. Beijing has invested 270 million yuan ($38 million) in local education, raising the nine-year compulsory education consolidation rate to 97.05 percent. Multimedia classrooms now cover 99.2 percent of the region.
Ecological and social progress complements education. In 2018, 600 herder and farmer households relocated to Yirige Community, known locally as the “Community of Happiness.” Poverty alleviation and post-disaster reconstruction have lifted Yushu’s six most impoverished counties and 104 villages toward prosperity.
Villages like Ganda demonstrate sustainable development. Sheep pens were converted into supermarkets, generating 330,000 yuan in the first year. Residents benefit from affordable products, while urban visitors enjoy local specialties.
Local experts emphasize ecological stewardship. Song Rende, a “Yak Doctor,” trains herders in sustainable yak farming. Vegetation coverage now exceeds 67.4 percent, yak fattening cycles have shortened, and average profits per yak rose by 1,228 yuan. Song notes that technology-driven green development strengthens incomes while protecting the environment.
New Yushu’s urban areas also flourish. Jiegu Town hosts over 50 cafés and encourages entrepreneurship. Local cultural initiatives and museums preserve heritage while attracting tourism. Bridges such as the “Bridge of Happiness” and the “Bridge of Advancement” symbolize Yushu’s progress.
As New Yushu thrives, the city demonstrates a successful blend of post-disaster recovery, education, ecological protection, and modern lifestyles. Authorities plan to continue fostering sustainable growth, ensuring the region’s brightest days lie ahead.
