Deep in the heart of the Karakoram Mountains, in Hokang County's Kunling Town (formerly Saitula Town, Pishan County), Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, lies an area with an average altitude of 3,780 meters. Characterized by year-round extreme cold, oxygen deprivation, and an average annual temperature of minus 6 degrees Celsius, the natural environment is exceptionally harsh. It is on this land, known as the "Forbidden Zone of Life," that the nation's first Postal Savings Bank (PSBC) branch dedicated exclusively to serving the military—the Saitula Town Sub-branch—has taken root. It extends financial services to every point along the postal routes, providing warm financial support to stationed troops and local residents through concrete actions.
Building a Financial Fortress in the "Forbidden Zone of Life" In the harsh winter of 2021, when PSBC's head office decided to establish the country's first military-service branch in Saitula Town, the sight before them took everyone's breath away. The small town was almost buried under heavy snow, and in the minus 20-degree Celsius cold, even breathing felt like inhaling ice shards. More challenging was the location in the central Karakoram, requiring all construction materials to be transported over 400 kilometers up the mountain from below. The winding mountain road seemed to hang off cliffs; a single misstep risked a plunge into the abyss. Confronting difficulties like high-altitude construction and power shortages, PSBC's Xinjiang branch swiftly formed a project team, deploying key personnel to the front lines. Construction workers persevered through extreme weather, racing against time. On February 15, 2022, the sub-branch opened for business as scheduled, achieving the remarkable "Saitula Speed." Following the formal establishment of Hokang County in December 2024, PSBC invested over 30 million yuan to commence construction of new operational premises. Currently, the main structure of the new 2,600-square-meter outlet has been capped, with full project completion expected by the end of 2026, marking a qualitative leap in service infrastructure.
Guarding the Mission of "Financial Border Defense" with Life In Saitula, severe altitude sickness presents the most direct and brutal test for every staff member. Yu Peng was among the first employees to volunteer to work at the Saitula Town Sub-branch. On the morning of February 13, 2022, after handing over his duties, he set off for Saitula that afternoon. Departing from Hotan City, the journey involved crossing three mountain passes (dabans), traversing nearly 10 hours of winding, bumpy roads through the Gobi Desert and over the Kunlun Mountains. "A single trip up or down the mountain is like passing through the gates of hell"—particularly on the G219 Xinjiang-Tibet Highway section, where two passes nearing 5,000 meters in altitude极易 (highly likely to) trigger pulmonary or cerebral edema. Although Yu Peng came prepared, having taken medication for circulation and asthma and bringing several oxygen bottles, when the vehicle reached the most rugged and bumpy stretches, even he, who never gets carsick, vomited uncontrollably. He finally arrived at 2 a.m. the next day. However, the ensuing chest tightness, dizziness, headaches, and nausea made sleep impossible. During his first week on the mountain, he often woke up at night gasping for air due to oxygen deprivation. "No grass grows on the mountain, the wind blows stones away, one breathes heavily with every three steps, and cotton-padded clothes are worn all four seasons." This is an accurate depiction of the local environment. In Saitula, the challenges extend beyond缺氧 (oxygen deprivation) to include water and power shortages. Yet, thinking of how generations of soldiers have battled sandstorms, scorching sun, and extreme cold to take root and stand firm on the Karakoram under such恶劣 (adverse) conditions strengthened Yu Peng's resolve to stay.
Like Yu Peng, Yu Xiang, the manager of the Saitula Town Sub-branch, also volunteered. Originally working at the Pishan County Sub-branch, he proactively applied: "I'm still young; I should train myself in艰苦 (difficult) places." His home is in Pishan County, closer to Saitula than for other colleagues—yet even then, a one-way trip takes over seven hours. Combined with unsafe mountain roads at night, a round trip home takes two days. Consequently, he often goes home only once every two or three months, staying in Saitula on weekends. After finishing his daily work, his most frequent activity is video chatting with his seven-year-old daughter, telling her about the people and happenings on the mountain.
Delivering Financial Services to the Hearts of Soldiers and Civilians The establishment of the Saitula Town Sub-branch has fundamentally transformed the previously薄弱 (weak) state of local financial services.
Zero-Distance Service for Troops Addressing the practical difficulties of分散 (dispersed) military bases and inconvenient travel下山 (down the mountain) for soldiers, staff from the Saitula Town Sub-branch often carry mobile business equipment into barracks, setting up "mobile banks" within camp grounds. They provide on-site services such as activating salary cards, offering exclusive financial consultation for military personnel, and regularly conducting financial literacy sessions, enabling soldiers to enjoy convenient services without leaving camp.
Solving Problems for Residents and Businesses "Before, handling business required a two-day trip下山 (down the mountain); now, I can do it right outside my door," said Mr. Zhang, who runs a barbecue restaurant in town, deeply appreciative of the current convenience. Since its opening, the Saitula Town Sub-branch has累计 (cumulatively) visited over 200 surrounding herder households and 62商户 (merchants), bringing financial services to field edges and shop fronts. As Hokang County gradually becomes a tourist hotspot leveraging its高原 (plateau) scenery, the Saitula Town Sub-branch proactively engages, helping local商户 (merchants) overcome difficulties. Before this year's peak tourist season, Shenxianwan Homestay faced a funding gap for planned expansion. Disregarding the rugged mountain roads, the sub-branch's account manager traveled hundreds of kilometers to provide on-site service, collecting materials and customizing a financing solution. Soon after, a 480,000 yuan loan was successfully disbursed, resolving the merchant's urgent need.
Amidst the icy peaks and snowy ridges of the Karakoram, the Saitula Town Sub-branch is not merely a physical outlet but a bridge connecting the military and civilians, serving the frontier. From the initial简易 (simple) facility to the即将落成 (soon-to-be-completed) new building, what changes are the increasingly完善的 (comprehensive)硬件设施 (hardware facilities); what remains unchanged is the初心 (original aspiration) of generations of PSBC personnel to take root on the plateau and serve the military and people. This touch of "PSBC green" is becoming the warmest风景线 (scenery) on the snowy plateau.