Rain or shine, Tsering Chopa treks for long hours to deliver mail. For 18 years, the Tibetan mailman has been a vital link between the remote town and the rest of the world.
At 5,373 meters above sea level, Pumachangthang in Nakarze county of the Tibet autonomous region is China's highest township. The oxygen level is less than 40 percent, the annual average temperature -7℃ and the average life expectancy only 49.5 years. The area of the township is about 1,500 square kilometers. The distance from the county town is some 70 km and a single trip to all the six villages can be as long as 160 km.
In 2005, Tsering Chopa became the first mailman of his hometown. In nearly two decades since his first mission, he has delivered over a million newspapers, more than 20,000 letters and 10,000-plus parcels in Pumachangthang, and has never been accused of failing or mixing up mail.
One night, a local resident Nyima Tsering's daughter had fainted and desperately needed help. Knowing that, the mailman arranged for a car right away and sent her to the county hospital. He also gave some cash to the family for the girl's treatment. Nyima Tsering's daughter recovered soon, and Tsering Chopa became an idol in the village.
The busiest time for Tsering Chopa is between July and August each year, when students are waiting for their admission letters from various universities. He recalls once he had to deliver mail to one student whose family had already moved away. He had to ask neighbors several times to find the new address. It was summer and the usual road to the village was blocked because of rain. He trekked for more than 20 km and struggled with shortness of breath all the way to finally deliver the letter.
In 2019, Tsering Chopa received the China Youth May Fourth Medal. "It is an acknowledgment of what I do and a token of encouragement as well," he says. "And I want to help more people living in remote areas. I want to bring the world closer to them and take them closer to the world."
