The Road Leads to Tibet

Tibet is a land of mountains where life is very difficult for its natural conditions. However, it is also known for its natural riches. Among other things, it is the source of the sacred Brahmaputra River. The mountain streams and rivulets create other big rivers. But there are also rich soil areas where fruit ripens, and grain is harvested. Herders on horseback herd sheep, goats, and yaks on the plains. The people are also engaged in weaving cloth and knitting their typical carpets. The architecture of the Dalai Lama's summer residence, Norbilunka, and the Potala Palace in Lhasa, as well as the Tashilhünpo Panchen Lama's residence, is admirable. In addition to these, there are several temples and monasteries. The people observe ancient customs and ceremonies, and ancient pantomime is practiced. Traditional sports include archery and horse-riding. Tibet is, however, very closed and is connected to the world only by dangerous and often damaged caravan routes across the peaks of the eternally snow-capped mountains. The caravans are essential for supplying the country with, for example, tea and wood. Therefore, in the summer of 1951, Mao Zedong signed a declaration for the construction of a highway to the Roof of the World, which was to connect the capital of Sichuan province (Sichuan-Sikchang – wrong in the film), Chengdu, with the Tibetan capital Lhasa. The "Road of Peace and Friendship" project, which is characterised by its unique complexity, was put in charge of the greatest experts. – The first soldiers and workers are wading through the snow to reach the Chorshan Mountain. They smash rocks with sticks so they can use explosives. Songs are sung about the construction of Kang-dzang-kung-lu. Even people from the inland who work here have never seen snow before. In the evening, they return to their tent camps. – The productive Mekong Valley. In the tents, lamas and caravan leaders confer, helping to supply the construction. Caravans of mules and yaks hit the road daily. – Another part of the road is being built in the rocks above the Nunjiang River. The construction workers are transported to the site by a primitive cable car across the water and transport supplies in the same way. Then the explosives can be used. The journey to Lhasa must be completed by autumn 1954. At last, the first machines can be brought over the pass. Pneumatic hammers are now being used and bulldozers are helping. A solid bridge will be built, and the first trucks will pass into the depth of Tibet. – A new day begins in the town of Ya-an. Praga trucks leave daily for the distant mountains with supplies for the builders along the original tea trail. Over the top of Orlanshan, they descend into the deep valley of another river, the Ta-tu, over which the ancient "Eight Heroes" bridge used to carry the great battles. Now there is a new river crossing. Workers greet a convoy of trucks. There is a simple memorial to those who died during the construction. The road handles all the traps. It is transforming the whole region and new villages are being built along it. The Tibetans admire goods they have never seen before. Hides, herbs, and precious musk are traded at the new trading stations. It sells imported tea, of which Tibetans consume large quantities. The first hospitals and doctors arrive to treat Tibetans who have been used to traditional medicine. A herdsman waits with a horse at a maternity hospital for a baby and its mother. Together they leave for the mountains. The children go to new schools where young Chinese teachers introduce them to the world. A meteorologist explains to the villagers how a weather station with a Czech hygrometer works. The first farm machines appear in the fields, helping with harvesting and ploughing. Machines are also being used in the new workshops. Electricity takes the place of the torch. Cars reduced months of traveling down to days. – The last mountain remains to be climbed before Lhasa. At the same time, a second road to Lhasa is being built through Qinghai province. Caravans of camels and yaks pass along the second road, which is still in the process of making. Here, too, in the steppe and glacier fields, workers toil. The nomadic herders are seeing “iron cows”, or trucks, for the first time. The road continues in patches of subtropical jungle. Old-timers advise engineers on how to avoid swamps and other obstacles. Chainsaws cut down massive logs. Tented camps have mobile shops where even Tibetans buy things and foodstuffs previously unknown to them. – In August 1954, the 14th Dalai Lama appears on the road and sets off from Chhamdo accompanied by Chinese officers on his way to Beijing. The spiritual leader speaks to the people at a ceremony and ceremony about the historic transformation of Tibet. The people of faith pay their respects. On the road, the Dalai Lama pays his respects at a memorial to one of the victims of the construction of the highway. A second Tibetan leader, the Panchen Lama, also travels to China, this time in a military off-road vehicle. On the way, he too is celebrated by ordinary people. – From Lhasa, Tibetans, men and women, are building the last past. They are building dams and regulating rivers. However, the floods have spilled out of the banks and the work so far is in danger of being destroyed. The water will cut the workers off from supplies. The most essential supplies are also transported down the river by rafts and boats. People waist-deep in water build more dams and finally overcome the elements. – In the valley of the Pa-ch River, all sections of the road meet. A great communal celebration of the workers follows. The first truck arrives. – Dawn breaks over Lhasa. The sacred and forbidden city of monasteries and temples, with its masterpieces of art and architecture, celebrates a festival on 25 December 1954, when Tibetans welcome the first column of trucks. The road is officially opened by city officials. The link between Tibet and the interior of China has become a reality. Trucks carrying a portrait of Mao Zedong pass under the Dalai Lama's Potala residence. Tibetans dance the dance of happiness at the festival. – At night, car headlights shine on the new road...