Today we will start a 6-episode special series "Exploring Tibet". Situated on a high-altitude plateau, Ngari Prefecture in west China's Tibet Autonomous Region is not an easy place to live and thrive in. Our reporters visited the area to witness how the government continues to push development, and see how residents make the best of it with what they have. The yak is the mammoth animal known to some as the ship of the plateau. But have you ever heard of a team of them conducting transport services? In a border village in Tibet, such a team of yaks is helping change people's lives through a dedicated fight against poverty. CGTN's Liu Yina reports from Burang County.

Whether high atop a plateau or on low-lying ground, the yak is a household name for many Tibetans. But here in Gangsha Village in Burang County, the yak represents a new livelihood and getting rid of poverty. Located at the foot of the Mount Kailash, known as the world center for some religions, tourists have flocked to Gangsha Village since the early 1980s.

RISIKESH MATHAN TOURIST FROM INDIA  "Actually in previous generations, it was very difficult to come here. There's no road, there's no envoy. The only thing is if you want to see the Shia, you come here."

Each year, many believers come here to take pilgrimage tours. To them - trekking around the mountain is a holy ritual that can bring good luck and fortune. Risikesh says it's also much easier to come here now.

RISIKESH MATHAN TOURIST FROM INDIA  "There's very wonderful experience. This is my lifetime achievement. It's a very nice place."

Since the local altitude is close to 5,000 meters, completing this lifetime achievement is never easy. With tourist numbers surging since China's opening up, local herdsmen began to use their yaks and horses to provide transport services. In 1996, a yak transport team was established, bringing a new element to villagers' traditionally nomadic lives.

PEMA WANGCHUK TEAM LEADER OF YAK TRANSPORT TEAM "Now we have 1,030 joining members. Last year, the team's annual income was more than 9 million yuan, so that's 9,000 yuan per capita. Some people make up to 13,000 yuan a year, that's good income for locals here."

LIU YINA BURANG COUNTY, NGARI PREFECTURE, TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION "Here is the coordination center for the yak transportation team. The local has developed their own professional standards in terms of labelling: Red for porters, yellow for yak man, and blue for horseman."

In order to improve service quality, local government helps the team develop training plans aside from the systematic management. Etiquette and English classes are held regularly every year, and now for team members, learning English is no longer a headache.

LHUNDRUP TEAM MEMBER OF YAK TRANSPORTAT TEAM "One group, six people, seven people, ten people, that's it. Good activity guide."

Richer, more educated and sustainable. Those are among the words Gangsha villagers now use to describe their path of wealth. As tourism in Tibet continues to heat up, this small border village is on another internet revolution promoting web orders and Wechat pay. For the future, locals feel a renewed sense of purpose and joy. Liu Yina, CGTN, Burang County, Tibet.