"Sometimes I stamp tens of thousands of times on a busy day," says Tsomo, adding that postal workers from the county post office come once a week, ensuring delivery of postcards within 10 days across China and 20 days around the world.

 

Party chief Chimed Tsering of Qoizong village in Zhaxizom township, where the base is located, says every tent operator needs to pay 40,000 yuan annual rent, which is distributed to poor villagers as a dividend.

 

"No household should be left behind on the way to prosperity," he says.

 

The benefits brought by tourism boom are also shared by other villages.

 

Deputy head of Zhaxizom township Penlo says that 20 villages in the township are allowed to run inns at the base, with people from a further 10 villages offering delivery services by yak.

 

"As of last year, the entire township cast off poverty," Penlo says.

 

Newly-weds Li Dongzhuoyi and his wife from northwest China's Shaanxi Province drove to Tibet for their honeymoon. Mt. Qomolangma was the westernmost stop on their journey.

 

After mailing the postcards, they enter Dorlma's tent to eat Tibetan food and drink butter tea.

 

"We did not expect there would be a warm inn at the foot of Qomolangma. The local boss is hospitable to us. We feel like we are at home," he says.