The average January temperature on the plateau is minus 17.8 degrees Celsius and, in mid-January, the temperature in Tashikuergan dipped to minus 36. "The colder the weather, the more orders we receive, and the more riders we need," said Niyaz Ali, who runs the county's Meituan delivery station.

The growing number of restaurants and stores in the county that remain open throughout the winter has boosted the development of food delivery services. "In previous years, 80 to 90 percent of stores would close in winter. Now, more than half remain open, and I believe the situation will only improve in the future," said Yang Guoming, a local public communications official.

Currently, four food delivery platforms operate in the county. Their arrival has been driven by the region's booming tourism industry, while they also cater to demand from local residents. Meituan's data show that in winter, 70 percent of the orders are made by local residents.

"We're overwhelmed with orders. Every rider currently has five to six orders in hand," Niyaz explained while checking the dispatch system during lunchtime.

The system indicated an outdoor temperature of minus 18 degrees Celsius. The cold weather and slippery roads often cause delivery delays. Niyaz acknowledges that they sometimes receive complaints for late deliveries, but most customers are understanding and aware of the difficulties faced by the riders.

Meituan launched its food delivery service in the county in August 2024. During the National Day holiday (October 1-7) that year, the local Meituan station's daily order volume reached 1,500. Due to the limited number of local riders, Meituan transferred 10 riders from Shache County in Kashi Prefecture, located more than 400 km away, to provide support.

Even during the winter months, despite a decrease in tourists, the local Meituan station consistently receives over 300 orders on weekdays and more than 400 orders on weekends. Meituan is recruiting new delivery riders to help meet this demand and one of them is Xirhanbik Mirali.

Xirhanbik became a rider at the end of last December and was the rider completing the most orders in January. "This job is pretty good. As long as you work hard, the income is good," he said.

Xirhanbik is a father of two. His older son is pursuing equestrian training in Zhaosu County in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture and his younger son attends a local primary school. Last year, after a life of grazing livestock, Xirhanbik decided to seek employment and became a food delivery rider.

The riders employ multiple strategies to make deliveries in the cold. For distant deliveries, they team up in groups of four and use a car. Orders in close proximity are handled on foot. And for distances in between, electric bikes prove to be the most efficient mode of transport. Delivery platforms provide insulated hats and uniforms, as well as fuel subsidies in winter. Their presence in Tashikuergan has not only created a new avenue for locals to find employment, but also made winter life on the plateau more comfortable for the residents.

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