Descendants of Caravan Chieftain in Tibet

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, May 09, 2002

Descendants of Caravan Chieftain in Tibet

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Lodain, son of the chieftain who led a caravan to and fro on the ancient trade route between China's Tibet Autonomous Region and southeastern Yunnan Province, follows his father's footprints, but with an entirely different means of transportation - a truck.

He became a household name in the Naxi Autonomous Township of Yanjing for his success in getting well-to-do. The Cha Ma Ancient Road was believed to be the only road for caravans crossing Yunnan Province to Tibet decades ago.

He was the first man in the Xiayanjing Village to buy a truck for transport business. With the second-hand vehicle, he carried salt, walnuts and other local specialities to neighboring Yunnan and Sichuan provinces and return to his hometown with daily necessities and household electric appliances.

He was also the first man to open his own shop in the village. By carrying goods to and from Tibet with his eldest son, Lodain made an annual net profit of 80,000 yuan (9,640 U.S. dollars) and quickly became affluent.

Lodain has a family of six, his wife named Zhoigar, two sons and two daughters. Zhoigar's father used to be a well-known caravan leader in the township. He owned scores of horses which carried salt to Yunnan in exchange for tea, brown sugar and silk.

He has built a three-storeyed house in a typical Tibetan style near the seat of the township government. The courtyard and the first storey are used for parking his truck and raising livestock. The family lives on the second floor which boasts a well-equipped washroom, three television sets including a 34-inch model, two washers, a refrigerator and a water-cooler.

Following his example, over one fifth of the 100 households in Xiayanjing Village are trade carriers using private trucks. Lodain is rated the most promising and successful.

However, it is not always plain sailing, Lodain recalled. For example, he said, "When I heard from one of my relatives that someone in Tibet is buying pomegranates, I soon collected a truck of pomegranates and brought them to Lhasa. Unexpectedly, the purchaser has gone upon my arrival. So, I had to sell the 5,000 kg of pomegranates myself, Finally, half of the fruit went rotten and I suffered a loss of 40,000 yuan (4,800 U.S. dollars)."

Today, Lodain cherishes high hopes for the future. He wants to send his second son and younger daughter to prestigious colleges or universities in China when they complete their senior high school studies.

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