-City of Sunlight– Depicting the beautiful life of the Tibetan people
As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, the hit television series “Sunlight City” is captivating audiences on CCTV and Mango TV. The show draws viewers’ attention away from the holiday festivities and into the vibrant lives of Tibetan families in the snowy highlands of Tibet.
The series unfolds like a magnificent canvas illustrating the contemporary journey of Tibetan people striving for a better life. Set against the backdrop of Lhasa’s Barkhor Street, we meet the passionate Tibetan opera inheritor, Tuden, who eagerly awaits news of his son, Solang, passing the civil service exam. However, the somewhat unreliable Solang has different plans; he abandons the exam to pursue entrepreneurship, only to see his promising e-commerce contract fall apart. Meanwhile, his equally unconventional brother, Doctor Tashi, dreams of becoming a renowned Tibetan opera artist, following in his father’s footsteps. Their sister, Quzong, finds her romance with community head Xu Shaojie heating up, leaving her torn between running a sweet tea house or moving far away to Shandong with her lover. These personal, professional, and emotional choices reflect not only the challenges faced by Tibetan people in their pursuit of a better life but also the authentic depiction of Tibetan youth chasing their dreams while maintaining their ideals. The series intricately paints the dedication of Tibetan people to their aspirations of a fulfilling life.
“Sunlight City” is a vibrant anthem of youthful entrepreneurship among Tibetan youth in the snowy highlands. It encapsulates Solang’s dream of e-commerce, Tashi’s medical ambitions, Jiumei’s aspirations for championship glory, and Gesang’s desire to touch the sky. Representing a new generation of Tibetans, Solang and his peers are infused with the entrepreneurial spirit aimed at revitalizing their homeland. They keenly recognize the opportunities of the internet age, striving to connect hometown treasures like tsampa, matsutake mushrooms, and caterpillar fungus with the global market, showcasing the entrepreneurial confidence that emerges from China’s new era of modernization.
The series is alive with a collective spirit rooted in a shared national identity. Doctor Tashi, who cherishes the non-material cultural heritage of Tibetan opera, finds purpose in his work—especially when caring for a critically ill Han teenager, Peng Yang. This experience reinforces his commitment to safeguarding public health. Gesang, the aspiring pilot, overcomes ridicule and ultimately soars into the skies, paving the way for a new generation of pastoral youth. Additionally, Solang’s business partner Dazhen’s mother, Qiao Yanru, grapples with the emotional trauma of losing her son, Luosang, during a rescue mission. The narrative deepens as Doctor Yin Wei, grappling with the weight of this life-and-death exchange, works tirelessly, almost to a fault. When Qiao Yanru gathers the strength to request that Yin Wei perform her surgery, their reconciliation epitomizes powerful themes of love, understanding, and hope—an inspiring symphony of life and a testament to the collective emotional resonance within the Chinese community.
The series also resonates with the echoes of revitalizing Tibetan culture. Cultural landmarks like the Potala Palace and Barkhor Street, alongside elements of Tibetan opera, traditional medicine, festivals, and sports, imbue “Sunlight City” with the rich tapestry of Tibetan customs and traditions. Real-life narratives of community governance, medical assistance, and pastoral e-commerce vividly illustrate the unity and collective labor of Tibet’s diverse population. Tuden, as a torchbearer of Tibetan opera, embodies the urgency of cultural inheritance while reflecting the pressing need to safeguard and innovate within China’s rich traditional heritage. The infusion of such a wealth of cultural elements has contributed to a surge in local tourism and heightened interest in Tibetan culture, showcasing the powerful synergy between film, television, and cultural tourism.
