usatvline Chapter 107: Xinduqiao Heart Journey
Chapter 107: Xinduqiao Heart Journey
The car drove out of Kangding City, as if breaking free from the anchor chain of time, and plunged into the embrace of National Highway 318 leading to the sky.
Sister Xiaotao sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window, as if she wanted to swallow all the scenery along the way. Li Fugui held the steering wheel steadily, and every turn brought them one step closer to Xinduqiao.
The Zheduo Mountain Pass gradually blurred in the rearview mirror, like the end of a dream. But then the airport road ahead suddenly opened a new curtain of fantasy. The road stretched straight into the distance, like a long sword wielded by the earth, slicing through the yellow-green meadow and the azure sky. The wing-like shoulder of the road caused Sister Tao to exclaim in surprise and clamor for a stop. The two stood by the roadside, the wind whistling like a reckless teenager, tugging at clothes and hair. As they gazed into the distance, Mount Gongga shone from behind a veil of clouds. The snow-capped peaks, gently caressed by the sunlight, shone with a holy light, like fine diamond dust scattering from a god, aloof and dazzling. The majestic aura filled them with awe, as if they were mere ants confronting the might of the universe. Sister Tao's eyes welled up as she murmured, "This journey has been worth it." Li Fugui silently held her hand, his warmth warding off the chill of the plateau.
We set off again, the car swooping like a bee seeking a scent, headed for Xinduqiao, known as a "photography paradise." Along the way, Tibetan villages seemed to sprout from the earth, their white walls striking against the backdrop of green fields. Their vermilion-lacquered gates, like the warm hearts of the Tibetans, opened wide to welcome distant visitors. In the courtyard, an elderly woman dried barley, the plump grains rolling in a winnowing basket, a sense of the down-to-earth life. A mischievous child chased a lamb, their laughter startling birds beneath the eaves, a pure and carefree expression. As the car slowly moved, the river beside us, its shimmering waters reflecting the blue sky, the mountains, and the Tibetan village, like a flowing oil painting.
Near Xinduqiao, the light and shadow magic show begins.
As the car pulled into Xinduqiao, the view outside the window left them speechless, and they hurriedly stopped the car. Xiao Xing ran into the golden poplar forest, her skirt brushing against the grass, her hair ruffled in the wind. Zhang Bei held up his camera, clicking the shutter non-stop, capturing every moment of her joy.
At dusk, the afterglow is like honey, pouring down on the Tagong grassland, and the tips of the grass are rimmed with gold. In the distance, the Yala Snow Mountain is like a silent giant, standing in gold and silver, guarding this tranquility.
Li Fugui set up his camera and used the lens to capture the scene. Sister Xiao Tao was beside him, her hair dyed a warm brown by the sunset. She gently picked up the Gesang flower, smiled faintly and turned around. With the sound of "click", the beautiful moment was frozen. The two figures blended into the scene, and the emotions were surging in their hearts, hotter than the sunset.
Like a lost pearl, Xinduqiao lies quietly in the western part of Kangding City, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, gleaming brightly and attracting countless dreamers. To trace its origins, one must open a thick scroll, dusted by time and filled with legends and fireworks.
Back in ancient times, this region was once a desolate mountain wilderness, a seasonal pasture for nomadic tribes. The grasslands stretched endlessly, like a verdant carpet spread across the earth. Yaks and sheep scattered across them like clouds. Tibetans, following the path of water and grass, pitched their black tents, wisps of cow dung smoke rising. The sounds of chanting and pastoral songs mingled in the wind. In the embrace of heaven and earth, life followed the rhythm of nature, simple and untamed.
At that time, Xinduqiao was just an unknown place on the long nomadic route, repeatedly trampled by the hooves of horses, cattle and sheep. Only the cold snow-capped mountains and clear rivers silently witnessed this primitive life.
By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Han-Tibetan tea-horse trade reached its peak, transforming the southern Sichuan-Tibet Road into a major commercial artery, with Xinduqiao at a crucial juncture. Caravans, laden with Yunnan and Sichuan teas, their bells jingling, leisurely arrived from the east, bounding deep into Tibet. Initially, it consisted of a few makeshift tents, providing a place for travelers to rest and feed their horses. Bonfires burned throughout the night, roasting rations and brewing butter tea. Merchants with diverse accents gathered around, chatting, their rough hands gesturing as they traded tea for furs and medicinal herbs. Wealth flowed across simple wooden tables, and friendships and trust began to form. Soon, settlements grew, and wooden houses sprang up along the road. Taverns and general stores emerged, where proprietresses greeted guests with hearty laughter and large bowls of highland barley wine. Shelves were filled with mainland porcelain and Tibetan handmade textiles. Xinduqiao began to take on a life of its own, forging bonds of ethnic integration amid the caravan bells and bustling market life.
After the Qing Dynasty established Dajianlu Hall, its decrees were extended to this area. Soldiers were stationed there for garrison duty, and post stations were set up for communication, bringing a sense of order and stability to Xinduqiao. Tibetan Buddhism also took deeper root. Monastery lamas chanted and prayed, and believers worshiped devoutly. Prayer flags fluttered in the wind, their colorful banners engraved with scriptures. Each flutter was a gentle prayer to the gods of heaven and earth, praying for favorable weather and the safety of people and animals. Muya Tibetan opera was performed in Caobazi during festivals. Actors, clad in masks and ornate costumes, sang in high and melodious voices, recounting ancient legends such as King Gesar. The audience, young and old, gathered in rapt attention, carrying on the essence of national culture. Xinduqiao, nourished by faith and art, has become increasingly rich in heritage.
In modern times, the Sichuan Army entered Kang, bringing new ideas and technologies that also affected Xinduqiao. Simple schools opened amidst the sound of chanting, where Tibetan children learned Chinese characters and arithmetic, their innocent eyes gazing at the blackboard as if gazing upon a window into a new world. Western medical clinics emerged, where herbal and Western medicines coexisted in the same room. Doctors and military surgeons exchanged medical knowledge, healing the afflictions and protecting the lives of the people. Although Xinduqiao's remote location spared it from widespread destruction during the war, it also provided supplies for passing armies, bearing witness to the passion and tragedy of battle. Packhorses and ox carts laden with supplies, the simple faces of the people etched with determination, silently dedicating themselves to their country.
After liberation, Xinduqiao ushered in a new life. Highways were widened and repaired, and cars replaced horse caravans, whizzing by, bringing tourists from all over the world. Photography enthusiasts, armed with cameras and cameras, rushed in and were struck by this paradise of light and shadow. In spring and autumn, the poplar trees alternated between golden and emerald green, creating a striking contrast with the red and white walls of the Tibetan dwellings. Morning mist, like a veil, swirled around the village, while smoke curled upwards, and sunlight filtered through, outlining a dreamlike landscape. Cameras captured these moments, freezing them in timeless art. The photos spread far and wide, and Xinduqiao's reputation soared, earning it the nicknames "a world of light and shadow" and "a photographer's paradise."
Strolling through Xinduqiao these days, every corner is filled with scenery. On the Tagong Grassland, the Yala Snow Mountain towers majestically, its peak capped with perpetual snow, casting a silvery glow like a divine being. Herders ride horses, wielding long whips, herding cattle and sheep with a carefree and leisurely air. Tucked away in the mountains, the Curie Monastery houses a treasured collection of ancient thangkas and Buddha statues. Lamas debate passionately, their palms clapping, sparks of wisdom colliding, and a legacy of millennia-old Buddhist teachings.
In a roadside Tibetan homestay, the owner warmly invites guests. The cow dung stove in the house is warm, and steaming hot butter tea and hand-pulled mutton are served. The owner tells stories of his ancestors, and the years are deposited in the wrinkles of his smile. The past and the present are perfectly integrated in Xinduqiao.
As dusk falls, we stay in a Tibetan family's home, sit around the fire, and listen to the old ladies talk about the old times of Xinduqiao. From the legends of the caravans to the legends of the temples, everyone is fascinated and their hearts are captured by this land.
At night, the sky was dotted with stars, like dreamlike gems. They stood in the courtyard wrapped in blankets, gazing at the starry sky. Zhang Bei whispered, "Xinduqiao is like an endless book, every page is a treasure."
Xiao Xing nodded repeatedly, her eyes reflecting the stars: "I hope we have a part in its story."
At this moment, Xinduqiao still lies quietly, using its unique style to continue writing the earthly poetry that spans time and space, welcoming the next batch of dream seekers and continuing the legend.
Dusk fell, the cow dung stove warmed inside, and outside, a sea of stars shone. Wrapped in thick clothes, they strolled along the terrace. The Milky Way stretched across the sky, its stars glittering like eyes. Sister Tao leaned against Li Fugui, pointing at the galaxy and saying, "When we're old, we'll look back on this journey and feel so happy." Li Fugui nodded, his heart empathizing. "There will be more beautiful scenery to see. Let's keep going together."