Each of these counties has dozens of Buddhist monasteries, which are usually the most beautiful buildings in the town. The golden spears on the roof of the temple shine through the streets. The Tibetan residents donate a large portion of their income to the temples.
"The local government has been trying to satisfy the residents, but there's more to be done," Seda county chief Badeng said.
Tibetan counties have been providing government subsidized houses to help Tibetan herdsmen settle down, and are providing more years of free education than national standards and improving medical services, despite meager government budgets. Compared with other underdeveloped regions in western China, life here is more bearable due to its better welfare services.
Through education, the government hopes to show young people where their future lies.
However, education may not be enough. Many of the rioters were unemployed young people who were easily incited to riot, officials say.
"After graduation from middle schools, many young people can't land a job at home as there are few industries and employers," Badeng said, adding that it's a big problem facing his government. Due to its geographical location, the counties find it hard to attract investment from more prosperous regions. The prefecture has been promoting its picturesque towns to boost its tourism industry.
But life goes on. Ma Jiankang has moved to a government-provided home on the other side of the town, and his mother was sheltered in his elder brother's home. They haven't decided what to do with their former residence, but Ma, the taxi driver, stated he wouldn't live there again even if it was rebuilt, for fear of another attack.
Ma has started carrying a wrench with him for self-defense in case he encounters the rioters on the street. It's certain that he will have to live with fear for some time before the wounds heal.
Timeline
March 10, 2011
The Dalai Lama claims in India that he would "give up" his political role in the Tibetan "government-in-exile" and shift that power to an "elected leader."
March 17, 2011
Rigzin Phuntsog, a 16-year-old monk at Kirti Monastery in Aba County of the Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, dies more than 10 hours after setting himself on fire.
August 30, 2011
A local court in Sichuan Province jails two Tibetan monks (Tsering Tenzin and Tenchum) for intentional homicide over another monk's (Rigzin Phuntsog) death by self-immolation in March.
November 3, 2011
A nun dies after setting herself on fire in Dawu county of Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Sichuan.
January 8, 2012
Nyage Sonamdrugyu, 40, a high-ranking lama, dies after immolating himself in Qinghai, northwest China.
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