On March 28, 1959, the State Council issued an order to implement democratic reforms in Tibet and completely abolish the feudal serfdom of "integration of politics and religion". From then on, millions of Tibet serfs were liberated and took their destiny into their own hands.

History, roll forward.

Xinhua News Agency reporters went deep into the vast plateau, approached those serfs, and felt their happy life now.

Portrait of Grandma Yuzhen (photo taken on March 12). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ding Zengnida

Outside a neat Tibetan-style house in Sangye Town, Shannan City, Tibet

Old man Yuzhen, over 90, sat on the stone steps and bathed in the afternoon sun

The streets come and go, and the children play and play. This scene

For the old man Yuzhen, who has experienced the storms of the century, was once an unattainable luxury

In old Tibet

Yuzhen, a serf, lives in a place where she lives.

The cold wind whimpered in the winter night

The broken blanket with lice was the only cold-resistant thing in the whole family

"The serf owner said that we should work like yaks in nature."

The young Yuzhen relied on spinning wool for tsampa for the lord

"The spindle moved from morning to night, just to exchange for a handful of tsampa."

Grandma Yuzhen's ID card (photo taken on March 12). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Meidorji

The sound of the whip of the serf owner collecting debts echoed in the wind and snow

In days when they could not feel the warmth

The parents passed away one after another because they had no money to treat their illness

That was Yuzhen's most heart-wrenching memory

Grandma Yuzhen and her grandson chatted at home (photo on March 12). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Meidouji

The grandson took care of Grandma Yuzhen back to the house (photo taken on March 12). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ding Zengnida

In 1959, Tibet launched democratic reform

complete abolished feudal serf system

Millions of serfs turned over and became liberated

Yuzhen was in the process of democratic reform in Tibet

Millions of serfs like Yuzhen truly became the owner of the land for the first time

My daughter-in-law was offering tea to Grandma Yuzhen (photo on March 12). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Meidouji

The granddaughter-in-law is helping grandma Yuzhen to organize her headscarf (photo on March 12). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ding Zengnida

Yuzhen's family is now living a prosperous life

The grandson opened a sweet teahouse

Neighbors come to drink tea and noodles every day

Grandma Yuzhen drinks tea and chats with her grandson and neighbors in her own teahouse (photo on March 12). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Meidorji

This old man who witnessed the changes of the century said

"The days now are sweeter than sweet tea

I really want my parents to see the good scene today."

Yuzhen's story is like the waves surging on the Yarlung Zangbo River

Talk about the vicissitudes and changes in the snowy plateau from feudal serfdom to the new socialist world

Grandma Yuzhen (middle) took a photo with her grandson and daughter-in-law (photo taken on March 12). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Meidouji

Only those who have experienced the cold winter

know

The turnover serfs in Tibet have long lived the happy life that their ancestors dreamed of

Planning: Lai Xiangdong, Chu Guoqiang

Coordination: Fei Maohua Jin Meidouji

Reporters: Jin Meidouji, Ding Zengnida, Zhuang Yunkai