Lighting Up a Forgotten Land
Imagine standing at 5,000 m above sea level under a sky so thin you can taste the cold. Now drop the thermometer to an icy -42 °C. This was daily life for Pasang Tsering and his team when they set out 25 years ago to build the world's highest 'electricity skyroad'. ⚡🏔️
The Challenge: Cold, Altitude, and Steel
- 🥶 Extreme temperatures: Metal turns brittle, and tools can freeze in minutes.
- 😮💨 Thin air: Workers battled altitude sickness at every step.
- 🚚 Remote logistics: Hauling 2-ton steel pylons across unpredictable terrain.
- 🤝 Team spirit: Local villagers joined in, carrying supplies by yak and foot.
From Butter Lamps to Neon Lights
Before the pylon's first test, homes on the plateau relied on flickering butter lamps for warmth and light. Pasang recalled how that gentle glow felt like hope—until neon tubes burst alive, transforming village squares into sparkling hubs of modern life. 💡
Today, travelers trekking across the plateau can still follow the route of this epic power line. Every humming wire is a tribute to human willpower and the dream of connecting remote communities.
This story reminds us that even in the harshest corners of the world, innovation and collaboration can spark a brighter future. Ready to chase your own adventure? The plateau is calling. 🌄
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
