BEIJING, Jan. 19(Xinhuanet)-- Mail will leave Beijing for Antarctica on February 4, the fourth delivery this year for Beijing International Post Office's trial service.

This is the first time in the past two decades that mail from China has been delivered to the southernmost continent, said Chi Tao, an official with the office.

The post office will send an official to the Changcheng(Great Wall) Station in Antarctica to investigate whether it is necessary to set up a post office there, he said.

If it is needed, the post office is expected to open early thisyear, making it possible for mail delivered at any post office in Beijing to reach Antarctica, he said.

The mail will travel 17,051 km to the Changcheng Station of China via Chile. Each piece of mail weighing 20 grams or less will cost 7 yuan(84 US cents).

Due to freezing weather Antarctica, the mail route will be opened only when it is summer there, said Chi.