Cracks appeared on the walls of his adobe house after the quake. The clay structure was eventually replaced with a 70-square-meter house made of reinforced concrete. "Our old house wasn't warm or bright. The new one feels sturdy. We don't worry as much about earthquakes as before," he said.

During reconstruction, Tashi Dondrub also found work at the project sites, earning about 10,000 yuan ($1,432) in less than a month. His family moved into their new home in August.

Rebuilding efforts have addressed more than just housing needs. In Sangkar, junior middle school student Nyima said the new infrastructure has transformed her daily life.

"We now have paved roads, bank services and sports grounds," she said, referring to a newly built soccer pitch and a basketball court that have become popular hangouts for children. "It's much more comfortable to study in the new house. It's brighter and warmer," she added.

The recovery has also helped restore confidence in the local economy, including tourism.

Last year, Dingri, which is located at the foot of Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, received 940,000 tourist visits, up 3 percent year-on-year. The tourists generated 440 million yuan in revenue, a 5.5 percent increase from 2024, according to official data.

As the Shigatse Losar New Year Festival begins in two weeks, residents are busy tidying up the marketplace for the celebration of the Tibetan New Year in Shigatse. Norbu, a resident of Dingri's Gurong village, said he is eager to celebrate the new year in his new house.

"I have stocked up on mutton, cheese and butter for the celebrations, and I plan to do some more shopping over the next few days," he said. "In the coming year, I hope everyone will be wealthier and happier, and will live in harmony."