Border guardian

Zhoigar, an NPC deputy from Tibet Autonomous Region. Xie Huanchi

As an ordinary Tibetan villager, Zhoigar and her family have been guarding China's borders on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for over three decades. Sitting at the southern foot of the Himalayas at an altitude of over 3,600 meters where steep slopes and rugged paths make it difficult to access, Yumai was once the least populated town in China.

It experienced tremendous changes during the past several decades, and Zhoigar has witnessed it all. Due to the lack of infrastructure, medical services and educational resources, most residents moved to the inland parts of the country. For many years, Zhoigar's family, including her sister Yangzom and their father, were the only residents in town, and the family herded livestock for a living. 

"My father used to say that despite a total of three residents, this was still China's Yumai town. We must safeguard our country's territory and never lose it to anyone," Zhoigar said. "We have tried our best to guard the border area as our father told us. Once the roads were connected, our life would get better and better."

In 1995, water, power, roads, as well as the Internet, were gradually accessible. Now, the population of Yumai has increased to more than 200. The town has become a moderately prosperous border area, with an average annual income of more than 34,000 yuan ($5,300) per person in 2020. Over the years, tourism has developed, too, with restaurants and stores selling arts and crafts with local features and attracting an increasing number of tourists nationwide.

"Yumai has changed drastically compared to what it was. We're getting old now, but I believe our future generations will make this place thrive even more," the 60-year-old Zhoigar said.