During the period of the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan”, the disposable income of Lhasa urban residents rose from 16,567 yuan in 2010 to 23,057 yuan in 2014, representing an overall increase of 39.2 percent since 2010 and a yearly increase of 8.6 percent.

During the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan” period, Lhasa implemented a series of policies including a system for minimum subsistence guarantee, purchase of public welfare positions, and implementing a policy for households without a working family member, which have continuously widened the channel of urban residents’ employment and increased the level of disposable income to a new high.

Currently, the household conditions for Lhasa urban residents has clearly improved, with household durable consumer goods gradually developing towards brand-name goods, and spending on education, culture, and entertainment continue to grow.

With the improvement of living standards, various Tibetan family restaurants, Chinese food restaurants, and Western restaurants can be found everywhere on the streets of Lhasa. Says Sulang Tajie, an elderly Tibetan: “Life is better. Having enough to eat is not a concern; right now the most important is to eat healthily.”