Princess musical makes Tibet villagers’ wishes come true

A musical about a charming princess has granted the wishes of residents of Tsechogling village in Lhasa, the Tibet autonomous region, by creating numerous jobs and boosting tourism.

Princess Wen Cheng, a musical staged outdoors tells the story of Princess Wen Cheng, a Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) princess of Han descent who married Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo and promoted economic, social and cultural exchanges between the ethnic Han and Tibetan peoples.

The show, first staged in August 2013 as a poverty alleviation project, has achieved huge popularity since then and become one of the top attractions alongside the iconic Potala Palace.

The majority of the performers consist of herders and farmers who used to grow potatoes and barley before the musical trained them in new skills and changed their way of life.

Phurbu Tashi, a 31-year-old former truck driver who joined the cast in 2013, told Tibet Daily that he has bought a new car and built a home thanks to the show.

"I've learned four different kinds of dance through the show and later I was hired by the local folk art group. I can earn 5,000 to 6,000 yuan ($790 to $950) every month, much more than I made as a truck driver," he said.

The show has already earned the village an income of nearly 50 million yuan during the early preparation stage by transport and infrastructure construction, according to Tibet Daily.

After the show was released, more jobs have been created, including security guards, cleaners, receptionists, administrative and other service roles besides the usual performing.

"Our village is now well-known for our affluence," Jampa, a villager, told Tibet Daily. "Our neighbouring villagers are joking that we are having a shower of wealth."

Zhang Yangfei contributed to this story.