Jonathan Betz

As Tibet Autonomous Region modernizes and grows, there are fears that some of its ancient customs and languages could forever be lost. The Chinese government, however, said it values the region's diversity and is racing to save the land's unique cultures. Deep in the Tibetan mountains lives a people you've likely never met and a language you've probably never heard. Tobgye is speaking Lhoba - a unique community composed of several tribes.

Tibet is undergoing incredible changes – especially in its schools. China's been overhauling education in Tibet, saying it wants to improve the chances of the region's 600,000 students. Part of that approach means moving kids from rural villages to bigger cities. For Jayangludrup, going to class has taken him far from home. The 17-year-old attends a government boarding school – 1,400 kilometers away from his village – and everything he's ever known. His dream is to become a doctor.

Reporter's Diary: Return to town thoughts 2018-10-17 15:14 GMT+8