Modern Logistics Transforms Life on the Roof of the World

He Haiyan, a courier for YTO Express, one of China’s leading logistics and express delivery companies, picked up a package of fresh yak meat from a specialty store in Lhasa, Xizang Autonomous Region, on March 7. After air transport, the meat would reach its destination 2,000 km away in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, within 48 hours.

Twelve years ago, He never imagined his career would be closely tied to the development of Xizang’s logistics industry. Today, he skillfully weaves through the streets of Lhasa, greeting locals in fluent Tibetan, connecting recipients thousands of miles away.

Service expansion

In 2013, He’s family settled in Lhasa when he decided to move there in search of opportunities. Originally from Qingyang in Gansu Province—2,600 km away from Lhasa—he was drawn to the city by its growing prospects. A friend suggested he join the express delivery industry, which he believed held great potential. He immediately contacted YTO Express in Lhasa and became a full-time employee.

His journey in Xizang, however, was not without its challenges. Upon arrival, He experienced severe altitude sickness—headaches and nausea plagued him. The drastic temperature differences between day and night, coupled with intense UV radiation, made adaptation difficult. The language barrier was another hurdle, as many customers speak Tibetan rather than standard Chinese, which made communication challenging.

But He has two advantages—he is hardworking and eager to learn. “To better serve local customers and improve communication efficiency, I learned basic Tibetan phrases. To cope with local environment, I carry warm clothing in case of temperature fluctuations and wear a hat when going out to protect myself from UV rays,” he told Beijing Review.

Over the past 12 years, He has not only overcome numerous challenges but also earned the title of Outstanding Employee of YTO Express multiple times.

He’s growth parallels with the development of Xizang’s logistics sector. “When I joined YTO Express in 2013, our warehouse was just 200 square meters. Operations were mostly manual, and our delivery range was limited to the urban area. Today, our warehouse has expanded to 2,200 square meters with fully automated sorting. Our logistics network now covers counties, towns, and even villages,” He said.

According to the Postal Administration of Xizang Autonomous Region (PAXAR), the region’s postal delivery volume reached 203 million items in 2024, a 5.88-percent increase from the previous year; revenue from postal services was 1.21 billion yuan ($169.62 million), up 19.06 percent. Express delivery volume reached 30.47 million items, growing 23.27 percent, with revenue of 812 million yuan ($114 million), a 22.4-percent increase.

“With the growth of e-commerce, YTO Express’s Lhasa branch has partnered with other e-commerce platforms to offer more shopping choices and convenience for local residents. We have also established air and road transportation networks connecting multiple cities in other parts of China to Lhasa, ensuring timely and stable deliveries,” He added.

Logistics not only provides Xizang residents with a wide range of products, but also enables the plateau’s specialty products to reach markets across the country, creating a two-way flow. “Over 2 billion yuan ($281 million) in agricultural and specialty products sales from Xizang were realized through express delivery in 2023 and 2024. Additionally, demand for fresh products, such as plateau yak meat and sheep meat, as well as high-value items like matsutake mushrooms, has increased, further boosting express delivery volume and raising income for local farmers and herders,” Tu Chunyan, Director of the General Service Office of the PAXAR told Beijing Review.

New development

The modernization of Xizang’s logistics system is becoming an increasingly important driver of consumption upgrades, improved living standards, and the strengthening of industrial foundations.

To further enhance postal services’ support for the development of cultural and tourism industries, Xizang now has five “Heavenly Xizang” themed post offices, such as the Potala Palace and Qomolangma post offices, as windows for tourism promotion. Xizang’s postal and express delivery industries have developed over 120 types of postcards, more than 60 philatelic products, and over 200 cultural and creative products. These are being sold through themed post offices, introducing more than 70 types of local agricultural products and 200 varieties of ethnic handicrafts, expanding sales channels for local specialties and contributing to rural revitalization, allowing Xizang’s culture and products to reach broader markets.

The green development concept has also taken root in Xizang’s logistics industry, which is accelerating its transition to eco-friendly and low-carbon operations. The industry is exploring green development through the use of new energy vehicles, promoting recyclable packaging materials, and optimizing delivery routes to reduce energy consumption and environmental pollution. According to the PAXAR, in 2024, postal companies used 1.54 million green packaging boxes. In response to national plastic reduction policies, biodegradable plastics were promoted, with 79,400 rolls of biodegradable tape and 346,500 biodegradable plastic packing bags purchased in 2024, contributing to the protection of Xizang’s plateau ecosystem.

Science and technology innovation is helping Xizang’s logistics break through bottlenecks. For example, YTO Express has introduced unmanned delivery vehicles in certain areas of Xizang. This technological innovation not only reduces labor costs and alleviates delivery difficulties but also significantly improves delivery efficiency and accuracy.

Xizang’s cross-border logistics business is also experiencing rapid growth, bringing the plateau closer to the world. According to the PAXAR, in 2024, cross-border logistics volume surged. Major exports through postal delivery included agricultural products and handicrafts, boosting trade between Xizang and surrounding countries and regions, enhancing regional economic cooperation, and increasing demand for cross-border express services.

The construction of smart customs has also provided an efficient channel for Xizang products to “go global.” Lhasa Customs has accelerated the development of smart customs systems, improving cross-border express clearance efficiency. According to Lhasa Customs, Xizang’s foreign trade reached 12.67 billion yuan ($1.78 billion) in 2024, a remarkable year-on-year increase of 15.4 percent, demonstrating the vitality of an open economy.

Xizang’s logistics industry now has a widespread network, becoming an increasingly important part of both China’s and the global logistic landscapes.

This transformation has reinforced He’s determination to remain rooted in Xizang. “I have witnessed the rapid development of the express delivery industry in Xizang. This plateau is not just my workplace; it has become my home. I believe that as the logistics network continues to improve, my career will also have broader prospects here,” he said.