"Merchants from various places set up a street of tents on the high ground by the riverbank, and herders brought salt on pack sheep, piling it up on the river beach..." Flipping through an old newspaper from August 31, 1956, just over four months after its founding, "Xizang Daily" vividly recorded on its front page the scene of the "salt-grain barter trade" in Purang County.

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of "Xizang Daily", we visited this beautiful border town surrounded by snow-capped mountains once again. We found broad thoroughfares, bustling streets, and rows upon rows of shops. The once barter-based "tent fair" has transformed into a modern "international port" connecting China and Nepal and radiating across South Asia. Guided by the Belt and Road Initiative, this historically renowned "golden passage" is now radiating new vitality, writing a new chapter in Xizang's high-standard opening-up and high-quality development.  

Improving market conditions

A spring snow shower brought back memories of tough times for Nepalese merchant Migmar Tamang.  

"At the age of 12, I followed my father, carrying wooden bowls and highland barley on our backs. We trekked over snow-capped mountains along narrow trails, walking for two days to reach Purang County, where we exchanged our goods for salt and other daily necessities from herders," recalled the 50-year-old Migmar Tamang, gently rubbing a wooden bowl that had long since turned a gleaming golden-yellow, inside the Tanggar Border Trade Market in Purang County.

"Back then, we could only stay in caves on the opposite side. People called the cliff face full of caves 'Nepal Mansion,'" Tamang said. "What I feared most were heavy snowfalls at night and rocks tumbling down from the mountains."

Trade during that period was typical barter. An article in "Xizang Daily" documented the scene in detail: "Farmers, herders, and artisans taking part in the exchange would sit in groups of three or five inside their tents, or chat while sitting beside piles of wool, salt, or grain, discussing exchange rates for agricultural, livestock, and handicraft products. Once an agreement was reached, they would measure out salt, barley, highland barley, or rice liter by liter and trade."

In 2003, Purang County built the old Tanggar Border Trade Market in the county center, covering 5,000 square meters with 219 mud-and-wood rooms. Tamang, who had prospered through border trade, quickly rented a space and has since been able to run his business with peace of mind.

However, due to limited conditions, the single-story buildings were prone to leaks over time. More importantly, as bilateral trade between China and Nepal continued to expand and more people participated in border trade, the old market gradually became insufficient.

In 2018, Purang County invested 280 million yuan to build the current Tanggar Border Trade Market. The new market sits just opposite the old "tent fair," yet the contrast is immense. With separate zones for foreign and domestic trade, along with shops, hotels, and storage facilities, it has become a modern, integrated international trade hub for small commodities, tourist souvenirs, and ethnic handicrafts.  

In July 2022, more than 300 merchants, including Tamang, moved into the new market with great joy. The Purang County government also offered preferential rental policies for Nepalese merchants, with monthly rent for first-floor shops set at only 18 yuan per square meter, and a five-year long-term lease came with three years of rent waived.  

From tents to single-story buildings to a modern market, Tamang has witnessed historical changes while also benefiting from China's development. Last year, his profit reached 150,000 yuan, and in his hometown of Humla County in Nepal alone, sixty to seventy people regularly do business here.

"Everyone is making money. We are very grateful to the Chinese government and remain optimistic about the Chinese market!" Tamang said with a smile.  

Increasingly efficient customs clearance

At 10:30 a.m., sunlight bathed the surrounding snow-capped mountains. The joint inspection building at the Purang Port stood solemnly, with the national emblem gleaming. Inspection officer Chen Xingyu and his colleagues had already taken their posts at the clearance counters as passengers underwent orderly checks before heading out of the border.  

"Our post is at the national gateway. Every inspection we perform is a part of safeguarding our homeland," Chen said, rubbing his hands together while keeping his eyes fixed on the clearance information on the screen. "In the past, the equipment was outdated, and we had to rely on manual verification. When there were large crowds, we could hardly keep up. Now, with the smart inspection system, information comparison and document verification are completed within seconds."

Tsering Wangdui, deputy director of the Purang Port Management Committee, has witnessed the port's upgrades. "In the past, the port only had a border inspection building, with departments working separately, resulting in cumbersome procedures and low efficiency." In 2014, the Purang Port Management Committee was established to oversee port construction and coordination. Subsequently, the joint inspection building, the new Tanggar Border Trade Market, the border inspection emergency command center, and the inbound cargo inspection yard were built one after another.  

In recent years, customs, border inspection, the management committee, and other departments have worked in synergy to implement category-based measures for border resident trade, small-amount trade, and passenger clearance. They have streamlined procedures, reduced processing times, and lowered costs. Convenience measures such as online declaration, immediate inspection upon arrival, and paperless clearance have cut clearance times by more than 50%.  

"In the past, customs declaration required visiting several windows, but now materials can be submitted via mobile phones, which is very convenient," said Tsewang, a border trade practitioner from Purang Town. He was busy tallying Nepalese handicrafts at the port cargo yard. The efficient clearance process has boosted his confidence in expanding his market.  

Another Nepalese merchant, Lhama, told reporters that he engages in trade in Humla County, Nepal, and visits Purang County about three to four times a month, with each customs clearance going smoothly. "Chinese clothes and shoes are of good quality and affordable, and are very popular in Nepal!"

Data shows that in 2025, the total import and export volume of Purang Port reached 35.51 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 65%. The port inspected over 27,000 entries and exits, a year-on-year increase of 86%. Behind these figures lie vibrant trade vitality and development potential, as well as the reality of "relatives growing closer and friends growing dearer."

Strengthening benefits for local residents

"You need to make a trip to Parga Town as soon as possible. Find out how the local cooperatives are doing with raising cattle and sheep this year and share our purchasing plan with them. Win their support." When we met Jampa Dundrup, he was assigning tasks.

Jampa Dundrup is the head of Purang County's Dalaka Import and Export Customs Clearance Co., Ltd. With the peak trade season approaching, he is making early plans and gearing up for big business.  

Recognizing the locational advantage of Purang Port's proximity to Nepal and India and seeing the rapid growth in trade volume, Jampa Dundrup founded the company in 2023. Its main business includes electronics, communication equipment, building materials, specialty agricultural and livestock products, and daily necessities, with building materials being the largest segment.  

"What concerns me most right now is the export of specialty agricultural and livestock products, as this can directly help more villagers get rich," Jampa Dundrup said. "Last year, our company purchased 250 tons of wool and cashmere for export from Xungba Village in Parga Town. The returns were excellent. This year, we plan to purchase 600 tons."

The rapid development of Purang Port has not only boosted trade but also helped border residents achieve prosperity. One notable sign is that many young people are returning to their hometowns.  

Sonam, from Xide Village in Purang Town, worked as a tour guide in Xigaze City for five years before returning to Purang in 2022. He rented a shop in the Tanggar Border Trade Market and started doing transit trade. "My hometown is becoming more and more vibrant, and life is getting better. I am truly happy!"

Walking through the streets and alleys of this beautiful border town, one can feel an atmosphere of thriving development. Standing beneath the Himalayas, this "snow-covered gateway" is embracing an even more open posture, continuing to write a new chapter of border prosperity and people's happiness.

Reporter: Zhou Hui, Yan Yaxin, Liu Weitao, Gao Yujie, Losang Tenzin  

Translator: Luo Rongting, Liu Fang

Review: Phurbu Tsering, Drakpa Wangchen